Cheap Flights to Gambia

Overview

The Gambia is West Africa's smallest country, a narrow strip of land following the River Gambia out to the Atlantic. Nicknamed the Smiling Coast, it offers reliable winter sun, sandy beaches and superb birdlife just six hours from the UK, with no time difference (GMT all year) and no jet lag. It is one of the closest guaranteed-warmth escapes for British travellers in the darker months.

Best time to fly to Gambia

The dry season, roughly November to mid-June, is the classic time to visit: warm, bright and with very little rain. It is also peak season, so Christmas, New Year and February half-term sell out early and fares rise. The rainy season (July to October) is hot, humid and much quieter, with lower prices and a green landscape. Birdwatching is best from November to March. See the When to book chart above for how fares shift through the year.

Main gateway cities and airports

Almost everyone arrives into Banjul International Airport (BJL), also known as Yundum, about 20km from the coastal resorts of Kololi, Kotu, Bakau and the Senegambia strip. It is a small single-terminal airport, so hotel transfers are quick and straightforward. There are no other international airports in the country, though a few itineraries route through Dakar in neighbouring Senegal.

Airlines and routes

In the winter season TUI Airways flies direct from London Gatwick and Manchester to Banjul, mainly sold as package holidays but often available flight-only. Direct flying time is around six hours. Year-round you can connect via Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal), which is useful outside the charter season or from other UK airports. Search cheap flights to Gambia on this page to compare direct and connecting options side by side.

Popular places to visit in Gambia

• Kololi and the Senegambia strip: the liveliest resort area, with the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and evening entertainment.
• Kotu and Bakau: quieter beaches, the Kachikally crocodile pool and excellent birdwatching along Kotu Creek.
• Banjul: the compact capital, home to Arch 22, the bustling Albert Market and the national museum.
• River Gambia National Park: chimpanzee rehabilitation islands and hippos seen on a classic upriver boat trip.
• Kunta Kinteh Island: a UNESCO-listed former slave-trade site with a powerful history, reached by boat from Juffureh.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Gambia

• Travel in shoulder weeks such as May or early November for dry-season weather without peak-season fares.
• Compare a TUI direct charter against a connecting fare on Brussels Airlines or Royal Air Maroc, which are often cheaper midweek.
• Avoid Christmas, New Year and February half-term, or book those dates several months ahead.
• Use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest departure days before you commit.

Travel essentials

British passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days; carry a passport valid for at least six months and check GOV.UK travel advice before you fly. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country where the disease is a risk, and antimalarial tablets are usually recommended, so speak to your GP or a travel clinic and check TravelHealthPro. The currency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD); it is largely a cash economy, so bring pounds or euros to exchange and carry cash outside the resorts. For winter travel, book two to four months ahead and use the When to book chart above to time it well.