Transport in Gambia

The main everyday transport services are gele gele minibuses, yellow taxis and private cars or hired drivers. Gele gele vehicles serve urban and inter-urban connections, but they usually have variable stopping points, no reliable published timetable and limited wheelchair access. Yellow taxis are common in urban and tourism areas; passengers should agree the fare before departure. Private cars and hired drivers offer more flexibility, but road conditions and night-time risks still affect the journey. Roads range from major inter-urban roads to gravel secondary roads and rural feeder roads. Traffic may be slowed by congestion, checkpoints, potholes, poor lighting, animals, carts and flooding during the rainy season, which usually runs from June to October. The Gambia Police Force Traffic Department checks driving, vehicle documents, roadworthiness and compliance with traffic rules. Drivers need a valid licence, vehicle documents and insurance. Seat belts apply to all occupants, and defensive driving is advisable because compliance and road conditions are uneven. Local authorities report a high risk of serious road crashes, so night travel and unlit or poorly surfaced roads require particular caution. River transport is central because the Gambia River divides communities and affects access to services and markets. Banjul-Barra Ferry carries passengers, vehicles and freight and operates almost continuously according to the ferry company, although queues, breakdowns and overcrowding can occur. The Senegambia Bridge, in service since 2019, provides a major alternative crossing. Other ferry connections include crossings near Kaur, Barajally, Janjanbureh, Bansang, Basse and Fatoto. Canoes may provide a functional alternative when ferry services fail, but passengers should use only Gambia Maritime Administration-licensed canoes with life jackets for passengers and crew. A 2025 contingency notice limited such canoe operations to 07:00–19:00; this was a contingency measure, not a permanent timetable. For international travel, Banjul International Airport, also called Yundum, is the country's principal passenger airport. There is no national railway network and no evidenced regular domestic flight service, so internal travel depends mainly on roads, ferries and the bridge. Long-distance road connections include the Dakar-Banjul corridor and links toward Ziguinchor and Bissau. The Port of Banjul is primarily used for freight rather than ordinary passenger travel. Walking and cycling remain practical forms of transport, especially where public services or private vehicles are unavailable. Sidewalks, crossings, lighting and dedicated cycling facilities are uneven, and pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, animals and carts often share the same space. Cyclists should travel with traffic, keep to the left edge of the road, use lights at night and signal clearly. Pedestrians should use a sidewalk where one exists and otherwise face approaching traffic. Transport planning is also addressing vehicle emissions, fleet renewal, road resilience, active-mobility corridors and possible bicycle lanes, but implementation can differ by location. Current fares and schedules for gele gele services and taxis are not covered by a reliable nationwide tariff or timetable, so users should confirm prices and operating conditions locally. Ferry tariffs should be checked with the Gambia Ports Authority or Gambia Ferry Services Company before travel.