Getting Around Serekunda
Serekunda sits at the heart of the Kombos, the urban area it shares with Banjul and the surrounding coastal towns. For a visitor, that means most journeys are short hops within a dense, busy city, or trips out along the coast to the resort strip and the beaches. There is no rail, metro or tram network in Serekunda or anywhere else in The Gambia, so getting around is done on the road: on foot, by shared minibus, by shared or private taxi, or with a ride-hailing app.
Public Transport: Minibuses and Shared Taxis
Shared taxis and minibuses are the backbone of public transport in Serekunda and across The Gambia. They run the coastal corridor that links the airport with the resort areas, and they are cheap, crowded, and used overwhelmingly by locals. If you are comfortable with close quarters and a bit of improvisation, they are the most economical way to move.
- Shared minibuses are the main workhorse. A minibus marked "Banjul, Serrekunda" is the classic route, and these vehicles only depart once they are full, so allow for waiting time.
- Shared taxis ply similar routes and pick up multiple passengers along the way.
- Bush taxis — converted vans — are much cheaper than private taxis but are crowded and often carry produce and livestock alongside passengers. Green-yellow bush taxis run fixed routes between Serekunda and Brikama, and can be flagged down on the main road.
Fares are paid in cash, usually to the driver or a conductor, and there is no advance ticketing or pass system for these services. You simply board, pay for your segment, and get off where you need to. Because these are shared vehicles on fixed corridors, they are best for straightforward trips along main roads rather than door-to-door journeys.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis come in two broad flavours, and the difference matters for both comfort and cost.
- Tourist taxis are air-conditioned and door-to-door, but noticeably more expensive than shared transport. Meters are rare, so agree on the fare before you get in.
- Green-yellow tourist taxis operate in the resort areas and are handy for short trips.
- Private taxis generally offer the same door-to-door convenience; again, negotiate the price up front.
For app-based options, the QCity app shows the live positions of shared taxis and lets you book shared taxis and car rentals in Banjul and the coastal areas. It also supports payment by mobile money, which saves you from hunting for cash. If you are staying or spending time around the coast, the Senegambia Strip taxi stand in Kololi is a reliable place to find a driver — most speak English and know the beach hotels well.
Walking
Serekunda is a dense, busy urban area, and walking is a realistic way to cover short distances, particularly around markets and neighbourhood streets. That said, the city is a major metropolitan area with heavy traffic on its main roads, so it is best to treat walking as a way to link nearby places rather than as a way to cross the whole city. For longer journeys, or when you are carrying bags or travelling after dark, a taxi or minibus will be more practical.
Getting from the Airport into the City
The main airport sits on the coastal corridor that runs toward Serekunda and the resort areas, and you have a few clear options for the transfer.
- Official airport taxi rank: prices are posted on a board and drivers wear ID tags. This is the safest and most predictable option. Be aware that unlicensed touts at the exit may quote you triple the going rate, so ignore them and go to the rank.
- Shared minibus: a minibus marked "Banjul, Serrekunda" stops outside the airport departures terminal and costs a fraction of a private taxi. The trade-off is that it only departs when full, so it can involve a wait.
- Pre-booked or app-based transfer: the QCity app allows you to book shared taxis and car rentals in the Banjul and coastal areas, which can be a good middle ground between cost and convenience.
Whichever you choose, agree the fare before boarding any taxi, and keep small change handy for shared transport.
Practical Tips
- Carry cash. Shared minibuses, bush taxis and most taxis are paid in cash, and only some app bookings support mobile money.
- Always settle the taxi fare before you set off — meters are rare.
- Use the official airport taxi rank rather than accepting offers from touts at the exit.
- If you are heading onward to Barra by ferry, note that tickets are sold only at the Banjul terminal dock — there is no online option — and foot passengers should arrive about 30 minutes before boarding.