Banjul International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Banjul International Airport is inland at Yundum, 15-20 km from the coastal strip of Bakau, Kotu, Kololi and Senegambia, where almost all of the country's tourism is concentrated: the actual town of Banjul, on an island at the mouth of the Gambia River, has very few hotels and is awkward to reach. Travellers with a short layover or an early departure will find the most convenient option at Banjulinding, a few minutes from the terminal; those staying longer should head for the coast, where Bakau and Cape Point are the tourist area closest to the airport, while the Kololi and Senegambia strip, with more restaurants and nightlife, lies a further 15-20 minutes south.

Banjulinding

Airport area · About 3 km from the terminal, 4-6 minutes by car; free shuttle on request.

Best for: Short layovers and dawn departures, when it pays to stay just a few minutes from the terminal.

Pros

The property closest to the terminal in the area, with a free airport shuttle on request
Outdoor pool and garden that can be used even for a layover of just a few hours

Cons

It is outside the resort coastal strip: the beaches of Bakau, Kotu and Kololi are still 20-25 minutes away
A residential area with no nightlife of its own: for dinner guests almost always stay at the hotel

Recommended hotels in this area

Woodpecker Resort Hotel: On the Brikama Highway at Banjulinding, about 3 km from the terminal: outdoor pool, garden and a free airport shuttle on request, handy for an early-morning flight.

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Bakau and Cape Point

Neighbourhood · About 22 km from the airport, 25 minutes by car; green tourist taxi with a fixed fare, about 1,500-2,000 GMD per ride.

Best for: Travellers staying more than one night who want the tourist coastal strip, with beaches, botanical gardens and the wildlife of Cape Point close at hand.

Pros

The beaches of Cape Point and Bakau Beach are a few minutes' walk from the hotels
Botanical gardens and the Kachikally crocodile pool are in the same area, handy for filling a day during a layover

Cons

One of the longest transfers on the coastal strip, made worse by traffic around Serekunda
The real tourist 'strip' of Kololi and Senegambia, with more restaurants and nightlife, is still another 15-20 minutes further south

Recommended hotels in this area

Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort: On Kofi Annan Street in Cape Point, a few steps from the beach of the same name and a 10-minute walk from the Bakau botanical gardens: 195 air-conditioned rooms, two restaurants and continental breakfast included.
Roc Heights: A 5-minute walk from Bakau beach: 18 air-conditioned rooms with balcony, outdoor pool and children's pool; airport shuttle available for a fee (30 USD per ride).

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