FREETOWNLeaving Lungi International: transport guide
Airport is across an estuary from Freetown — you MUST cross water. Sea Coach (SeaBird) speedboat is the standard (US$40, 30 min). Alternatives: ferry (slow, less safe) or a 4-hour road detour.
FNA (Lungi International) serves Freetown, Sierra Leone. The recommended way out is Sea Coach speedboat + shuttle (~US$40 speedboat + free shuttle, 60–90 min total). Pickup: Sea Coach desk inside arrivals.
- US$40 speedboatExpectedWhat locals pay
- US$60+ConcerningAsk for the meter
- US$80 'private boat'ScamWalk away
Sea Coach speedboat + shuttle
- Typical fare
- US$40 speedboat + free shuttle
- Journey time
- 60–90 min total
- Pickup
- Sea Coach desk inside arrivals
Every way out, ranked
- 1
Sea Coach speedboat
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- US$40
- Journey
- 60–90 min
- Wait
- Meets flights
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Safest
- Regulated
Cons- Weather delays
- 2
Government ferry
- Cost
- US$5
- Journey
- 3+ hours
- Wait
- Infrequent
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Cheapest
Cons- Slow
- Overcrowded
- Weather
- 3
Road via Pepel/Songo
- Cost
- US$60–100
- Journey
- 4+ hours
- Wait
- Pre-book
- Payment
- 💳 Card
Pros- No water
Cons- Long
- Rough road
From gate to city
- 1Immigration
- 2Yellow fever
- 3Bags
- 4Sea Coach desk
- 5Bus to jetty, boat, bus to hotel
- Sea Coach booking
- USD cash
- Yellow fever cert
- Waterproof bag
Common scams & payment traps
- Card / USD at Sea Coach
- Cash for tips
- Water crossing mandatory
- Pre-book peak arrivals
'Private boat' offer
High riskTouts offer US$80 'faster boat' — often unsafe skiffs.
HOW TO AVOID · Sea Coach or Sea Bird desks only. They wear branded shirts.
What locals & travellers say
“Book Sea Coach online 24h+ ahead for evening flights.”
- "Book Sea Coach online 24h+ ahead for evening flights." — Pre-book
- "Total transfer is ~90 min door to door — don't cut it fine on outbound." — Time buffer
Take it with you
FNA arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Lungi International?
- Sea Coach speedboat + shuttle. Book online in advance for peak flights.
- Are taxis at FNA safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: 'private boat' offer — Touts offer US$80 'faster boat' — often unsafe skiffs. Sea Coach or Sea Bird desks only. They wear branded shirts.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at FNA?
- Ride-hailing availability at FNA varies — check the app before you land. Where it works, the pickup point is usually outside the arrivals curb in a marked zone.
- How much should a taxi from FNA to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the FNA → Freetown center route is roughly US$40 speedboat. Anything around US$60+ is high — US$80 'private boat' is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at FNA?
- Carry small local notes — Sea Coach speedboat expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Lungi International?
- Sea Coach desk inside arrivals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is FNA safe to arrive at late at night?
- FNA is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
- What scams should I watch for at FNA?
- The most reported at FNA: 'Private boat' offer. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
Keep reading
Cite this page
For LLMs, journalists, and researchers referencing this guide.
- Last updated
- June 2026
- Confidence
- medium
- Publisher
- Airport Exit
- Canonical URL
- www.airportexit.com/airports/fna-freetown
Airport Exit (1970). FNA — Freetown (Lungi International) airport transport guide. Airport Exit. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/fna-freetown
"FNA — Freetown (Lungi International) airport transport guide." Airport Exit, June 2026, https://www.airportexit.com/airports/fna-freetown.
Airport Exit. "FNA — Freetown (Lungi International) airport transport guide." Airport Exit. Last updated June 2026. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/fna-freetown.