By air
Freetown International Airport (also called Lungi Airport) is the only international gateway. It sits across the estuary from Freetown, which means arriving involves a second leg even after landing. Flights from Europe connect through Brussels (Brussels Airlines operates regularly), London (British Airways and others), Paris (Air France), and Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc). From elsewhere in West Africa, connections come through Conakry, Abidjan, Accra, and Dakar.
All travelers must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter. A visa is required for most nationalities — apply for the eVisa at evisa.sl before you go, which is more reliable than trying to get one on arrival. The fee for non-African Union nationals is around $80 on arrival or $100 online. There is also a $25 airport security fee payable on arrival or departure.
The airport crossing
Getting from Lungi Airport to Freetown is the first logistical challenge. You have a few options:
- Water taxi (speedboat): The fastest and most practical option for most travelers. Sea Coach Express and similar operators run dual-engine boats that make the crossing in about 25-30 minutes for around $40-45. Runs daytime hours.
- Government ferry: Slow and unpredictable, takes 45 minutes to over an hour. Cheap but frustrating. Recommended only if you're not in a hurry.
- Helicopter: Operated by some tour operators for groups; expensive but quick.
- Road: Going around by road is a very long detour; only relevant if you're traveling with a vehicle.
By land
Regular shared taxis and buses connect Freetown with Conakry in Guinea, the most common overland route. The border crossing at Pamelap (via Kambia) is the standard one. The journey takes the best part of a day. Road access from Liberia exists but is less frequently used.