Key facts
The Gambia is a country located in Western Africa. The Gambia has only one border country: Senegal.
English is an official language in The Gambia. It means that if you speak it, you would be able to communicate with almost everyone. If not, it is highly recommended that you acquire some basic English before traveling to The Gambia.
The national currency in The Gambia is Gambian dalasi (GMD). The dalasi is subdivided into 100 butut.
Gambian
Banknotes
5 dalasis10 dalasis25 dalasis50 dalasis100 dalasis
Gambian
Coins
1 bututs5 bututs10 bututs25 bututs50 bututs1 dalasi
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest No data available.
ATM Density It may be difficult to locate an ATM in The Gambia.9.16 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in The Gambia, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There is one common socket type used in The Gambia. Type G is not very common around the world, so it might be a good idea to check if your electronics need an adapter.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, The Gambia will celebrate 9 national public holidays. The next one Christmas Day will take place on December 25.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024Moving holiday | New Year’s DayNew Year’s Day | |
| February 18, 2024Moving holiday | Independence DayIndependence Day | |
| March 29, 2024Moving holiday | Good FridayGood Friday | |
| April 1, 2024Moving holiday | Easter MondayEaster Monday | |
| May 1, 2024Moving holiday | Labour DayLabour Day | |
| May 25, 2024Moving holiday | Africa DayAfrica Day | |
| July 22, 2024Moving holiday | Revolution DayRevolution Day | |
| August 15, 2024Moving holiday | Assumption DayAssumption Day | |
| December 25, 2024Moving holiday | Christmas DayChristmas Day |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Gambia?
There are no Mariott hotels in The Gambia.
There are no Hilton hotels in The Gambia.
There are no IHG hotels in The Gambia.
There are no Best Western hotels in The Gambia.
There are no Radisson hotels in The Gambia.
There are no Accor hotels in The Gambia.
What fast food chains are present in Gambia?
The McDonald’s chain does not operate in The Gambia.
The KFC chain does not operate in The Gambia.
The Burger King chain does not operate in The Gambia.
The Subway chain does not operate in The Gambia.
The Domino’s Pizza chain does not operate in The Gambia.
The Starbucks chain does not operate in The Gambia.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Banjul?
Weather data for Banjul (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are no passenger trains available.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Taxi Apps Unfortunately neither Uber nor Bolt are available in The Gambia.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Gambia
Sources
- The Gambia Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for The Gambia (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations, with limited exceptions.
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is prohibited.
Sources
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)