Lungi International Airport sits on a peninsula north of Freetown. There is no direct road bridge. To get to Freetown you must cross a body of water or take a long road detour (2–3 hours minimum). Plan this before you land.
Your four transfer options
There are four ways to get from Lungi Airport to Freetown city centre. Each has a very different price, speed, comfort and risk profile. Here is an honest breakdown.
If you land after dark or are tired from a long journey, the smartest move is to spend your first night at Hariom Yogi Guest House, directly opposite the airport. Cross to Freetown fresh in the morning when all transfer options are running safely.
The Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation operates the main government ferry between Lungi jetty and Kissy/Freetown. It is the cheapest option but schedules are irregular and the ferry does not operate at night or in bad weather.
- Cheapest crossing option
- Large capacity — bags easy
- Scenic crossing
- No fixed timetable — wait up to 2 hrs
- Does not run at night
- Suspended in bad weather
- Need taxi to/from jetties both ends
The helicopter service operates from a pad near the terminal and lands at Aberdeen helipad in Freetown's west end. The most time-efficient option if you have a tight connection or meeting. Book in advance — flights fill up on busy arrival days.
- 7 minutes — fastest by far
- Reliable and on schedule
- Spectacular aerial views
- Most expensive option
- Limited baggage (15kg)
- Book in advance online
- Aberdeen helipad = west Freetown only
The road route goes via the Tagrin vehicle ferry (short crossing) then through Makump bridge and the main Freetown highway. Possible at any time of day or night. Journey time depends heavily on traffic — budget 3 hours for safety.
- Available 24 hours
- Good for large luggage / groups
- Door to door
- Long journey — especially in traffic
- Road quality variable upcountry
- Negotiate price before departure
Side-by-side comparison
| Option | Price | Time | Night travel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stay at Yogi (overnight) | $35/night | 0 mins transfer | ✓ Yes | Late arrivals, tired travellers |
| Government Ferry | NL 15–25k | 45–60 min | ✗ No | Budget travellers, daytime |
| Helicopter | $65–100 | 7 min | ✗ No | Business travellers, tight schedule |
| Road via Tagrin | NL 50–150k | 2.5–4 hrs | ✓ Yes | Groups, large luggage, 24hr |
Practical step-by-step: what to do when you land
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Clear immigration and collect bagsStandard process. Expect 30–60 minutes at peak times. Porters will approach you — agree a price before accepting help (NL 10,000–20,000 is fair).
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Decide: go to Freetown now, or stay the night?If it is after 6pm, seriously consider staying at Yogi Guest House (2-minute walk from the terminal). Night transfers are not dangerous but are less comfortable and options are limited.
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Choose your transfer methodFor helicopter: book online before landing. For ferry: walk to the jetty or get a taxi (NL 5,000–10,000). For road: hire a car from official operators outside arrivals — negotiate firmly.
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Buy a SIM card before you leave the airportOrange and Africell both have counters in arrivals. Get a SIM with a data bundle — you will need it for maps and communications during your transfer.
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Change money at the airport or at YogiAirport rates are reasonable. Yogi Guest House also offers forex at fair rates. Do not change money with unofficial street changers.
If you are catching an early morning flight out, stay at Yogi Guest House the night before departure. The 2-minute walk to the terminal beats any 3am taxi from Freetown. We do early checkouts for departing guests — just let us know in advance.
Getting to Lungi Airport from Freetown (departures)
The same options apply in reverse. Key tips for departure:
- Allow at least 3 hours before your flight for road or ferry transfers
- Ferry and helicopter do not run reliably at night — if your flight is before 7am, travel the evening before and stay at Yogi
- International check-in typically opens 3 hours before departure
- Lungi Airport has limited food options airside — eat before you check in
If your flight departs before 7am, do not try to travel from Freetown on the morning of departure. The ferry does not run reliably before 7am and road traffic is unpredictable. Travel the evening before and stay at Hariom Yogi Guest House.
Book a transfer or ask us anything
We run Hariom Yogi Guest House directly opposite Lungi Airport and have helped hundreds of guests navigate the transfer question. WhatsApp us before you arrive — we can advise on current transfer conditions, arrange airport pickup, and have your room ready when you land.