Lungi

Lungi is a town on the north bank of the Sierra Leone River estuary, directly opposite Freetown. It is best known as the location of Lungi International Airport (IATA: FNA), Sierra Leone's main international gateway. The town itself is a small settlement that serves primarily as a transit point for air travellers. The Freetown peninsula is visible across the estuary.

The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from April to September. The dry season from October to March offers the best conditions for travel.

By Plane

Lungi International Airport (IATA: FNA) serves international flights from Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), Nairobi (Kenya Airways), London (Air Sierra Leone), and other destinations. A new terminal opened in 2023. An airport security fee of US$25 is payable on arrival and departure.

By Train

By Car / Road

Lungi is at the end of a peninsula. The road route to Freetown via Port Loko takes 5 hours or more on poor roads and is rarely used by visitors. The primary transport to Freetown is by water.

The town is walkable. Water taxis and ferries connect Lungi to Freetown. Sea Coach Express (to Aberdeen Bridge) and Sea Bird Express (to Murray Town) charge about US$50 for a single adult journey. Local speedboats (US$1.25) and larger pampa boats (US$0.50) run from Tagrin to Kissy Ferry Terminal.

• Lungi International Airport — The modern terminal opened in 2023.

• Estuary views — Panoramic views across the Sierra Leone River to Freetown.

• Take a water taxi across the estuary for spectacular views of Freetown's peninsula.

Small restaurants and food stalls near the airport serve Sierra Leonean food.

Drink only bottled or purified water.

Accommodation in Lungi is limited. Most travellers arrive and head directly to Freetown via water taxi. There are a few guesthouses near the airport for transit passengers.

Basic provisions available in Lungi town.

• Freetown (across the estuary, 20–45 minutes by water taxi) — The capital city with beaches, markets, historic sites, and nightlife.
• Port Loko (1 hour east) — Capital of North Western Province.
• Banana Islands — Prime tourist destination accessible from Freetown.