At the airport
Travel advice for The Gambia from four governments, compared
Short answer
- UK
- Updated 7 July 2026, still current at 23 October 2026 1
- United States
- Level 2, exercise increased caution, 31 July 2023 4
- Australia
- Exercise a high degree of caution, no date on the page as opened 6
- France
- Whole country in yellow, heightened vigilance, updated 4 April 2018 7
Risk levels and dates
The UK update of 7 July 2026 added information on flooding and power shortages 1. The US country information page, which holds the detail behind the advisory, was last updated on 11 December 2018 5.
| Government | Overall advice | Date shown |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom, FCDO 1 | No areas named to avoid on the main page as opened 1 | Updated 7 July 2026, still current at 23 October 2026 1 |
| United States, State Department 4 | Level 2, exercise increased caution, for crime and health infrastructure 4 | Issued 31 July 2023 4 |
| Australia, Smartraveller 6 | Exercise a high degree of caution, due to the threat of crime 6 | No date on the page as opened in October 2026 6 |
| France, foreign ministry 7 | Whole country in yellow, heightened vigilance 7 | Updated 4 April 2018, still in force 20 May 2024 7 |
The airport security fee
The fee is the same US$20 in each source that mentions it 3,6 7. The exemptions differ.
- UK: pay when you arrive and when you leave. It can be paid in euros, British pounds or local currency. Children aged 1 or under and transit passengers are exempt 3.
- Australia: a compulsory fee on entry and exit by air, US$20 or the equivalent, at marked kiosks at Banjul International Airport. Children under 2 and transit passengers are exempt 6.
- France: an airport tax of 1,000 GMD or 20 euros or US$20 on entry and on exit, with diplomatic passport holders exempt 7.
- US: the country information page does not mention an airport fee 5.
Visas and yellow fever
- UK: British visitors need no visa and get a 28-day stamp on arrival 3. A yellow fever certificate is needed if you arrive from a country with a transmission risk 3.
- US: a visa is required, obtained before travel or within two working days of arrival. Travellers from countries where yellow fever is common need a WHO yellow fever card 5.
- Australia: you may need a visa. It says you need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter, and some airlines may ask for it when you leave 6.
- France: French citizens get a free 15-day short-stay visa on arrival, at the airport or at land borders. It says the yellow fever vaccine is no longer required on entry, except for travellers from endemic areas 7.
Ferries, roads and the Casamance border
- UK: the Banjul to Barra ferry is often overcrowded and overloaded. The Senegambia Bridge near Farafenni is an alternative route 2.
- US: government ferries are unsafe and unreliable. The southern border area next to the Casamance region of Senegal carries landmine risk, and the advice is to stay on main roads and avoid travel there at night 4,5.
- Australia: the land border with Senegal is open. Undeclared landmines are present in the Casamance region, mostly off main roads 6.
- France: the ferry runs every hour each way from 7.30 to 22.00 with frequent delays. The Senegambia Bridge is a toll bridge at 250 GMD 7.
Crime, health and local law
The UK says petty theft is a problem in cities and tourist areas and warns about young men known as bumsters who approach tourists. It says same-sex relationships are illegal and can lead to long prison sentences 2.
The US says theft and burglary occur often in the wider Banjul area, and that locally available medicines may be unsafe 4. Australia advises using registered taxis and says driving is very dangerous, more so at night 6.
How to read the dates
Each page reflects the date shown on it. The French page dates from 2018 and the US country page from 2018 5,7. On the airport fee and yellow fever, the 2026 UK page is the most recent of the four 1,3. Check the official page of your own government before you travel.
Common questions
Is The Gambia safe to visit according to the US?
The US rates The Gambia Level 2, exercise increased caution, in an advisory dated 31 July 2023, citing crime and health infrastructure 4.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for The Gambia?
Sources differ. UK advice says yes if you arrive from a country with transmission risk 3. Australian advice says you need one to enter 6. French advice from 2018 says only travellers from endemic areas 7.
Who is exempt from the Gambia airport fee?
UK advice says children aged 1 or under and transit passengers 3. Australian advice says children under 2 and transit passengers 6. French advice names diplomatic passport holders 7.
Does UK travel advice say to avoid any part of The Gambia?
The main UK page as updated on 7 July 2026 names no areas to avoid 1.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- GOV.UK, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The Gambia travel advice (updated 7 July 2026)
- GOV.UK, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The Gambia travel advice, safety and security (updated 7 July 2026)
- GOV.UK, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The Gambia travel advice, entry requirements (updated 7 July 2026)
- US Department of State: The Gambia travel advisory (31 July 2023)
- US Department of State: The Gambia international travel information (last updated 11 December 2018)
- Australian Government, Smartraveller: The Gambia travel advice (page as opened October 2026)
- France, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: Conseils aux voyageurs, Gambie (updated 4 April 2018, still in force 20 May 2024)
Related
- Arriving at Banjul International Airport
What happens when you land at Banjul: immigration and entry stamp, the US$20 security fee, yellow fever certificate, customs allowances and transport.
- Health entry requirements for The Gambia: yellow fever and more
Who needs a yellow fever certificate to enter The Gambia, the 9-month age rule, the 12-hour transit rule, malaria advice and banned medicines.
- Exemptions from airport charges in The Gambia
Who does not pay the US$20 security fee at Banjul: infants, transit passengers and diplomatic passport holders, plus customs allowances and visa fee rules.
- The Banjul to Barra ferry: what the record shows
Who runs the Banjul to Barra ferry, the last published fares, the new ferry Barra commissioned in March 2026, travel advice and parliamentary findings.
- The Senegambia Bridge and The Gambia's land borders with Senegal
Where the Senegambia Bridge is, what the toll records show, which border posts were rebuilt in 2026, and what travel advice says about overland trips.