Travel · Getting around · The Gambia

Crossing the River Gambia: Banjul–Barra ferry and Senegambia Bridge

Published September 27, 2026.

The River Gambia splits the country into a north bank and a south bank, so almost any journey beyond the coast involves a crossing. Near the coast, the main option is the Banjul–Barra ferry across the river mouth. Further inland, the Senegambia Bridge between the Farafenni and Soma areas, opened in January 2019, gives a fixed road link. Smaller ferries and crossings operate upriver. Linking these lets you drive a loop along both banks.

The main crossings at a glance

Crossing	Where	Type	Good to know
Banjul–Barra	River mouth, between Banjul and Barra	Vehicle and passenger ferry	Busiest crossing; queues for vehicles can be long
Senegambia Bridge	Between Bambatenda (north bank, near Farafenni) and Yelitenda (south bank, near Soma)	Road bridge	Opened January 2019 on the Trans-Gambia Highway
Janjanbureh area	MacCarthy Island, Central River Region	Ferry and bridge links	Arrangements have changed over time; check current status
Further upriver	Around Basse and the east	Small ferries and boats	Local crossings; capacity and schedules vary

The Banjul–Barra ferry

The ferry across the mouth of the river links Banjul with Barra on the north bank. It is the most direct route from the capital and the Kombos to the North Bank Region, to Juffureh and Kunta Kinteh Island, and to the northern road border with Senegal on the way to Dakar. The river is roughly 4–5 km wide here, and the crossing itself usually takes somewhere around half an hour to an hour, but the total time is dominated by waiting.

It gets busy. The ferry is heavily used by commuters, traders and freight. Services can be reduced when a vessel is out of action for maintenance, and waits then grow.
Vehicles vs foot passengers. Foot passengers generally board far more quickly than vehicles. Cars, and especially lorries, can queue for hours at busy times. Many travellers cross on foot and pick up transport on the other side.
Timing. Early morning and late afternoon commuter peaks are the busiest. Allow generous buffer time if you have an onward connection.
Terminals are hectic. Keep valuables secure and your ticket to hand, and follow staff directions when boarding and disembarking.

We do not list fares, as they change; check at the terminal or with the ferry operator.

Pirogues as an alternative

Motorised wooden pirogues also carry passengers between Banjul and Barra and can be quicker when the ferry queues are long. However, the estuary can be rough, boats may be crowded, and life jackets are not always provided or worn. Serious boat accidents have happened on Gambian waters. If you choose a pirogue, avoid overloaded boats, insist on a life jacket, and do not travel in bad weather or after dark. For most visitors, the ferry is the safer choice.

The Senegambia Bridge

The Senegambia Bridge crosses the river on the Trans-Gambia Highway, between Bambatenda on the north bank (near Farafenni) and Yelitenda on the south bank (near Soma). Close to a kilometre long, it opened in January 2019 and replaced a ferry crossing that was notorious for long delays, particularly for lorries travelling between northern Senegal and the Casamance region.

For travellers inside The Gambia, the bridge is what makes a reliable north bank–south bank loop possible. For Senegalese traffic, it is the key link between Dakar and Ziguinchor through Gambian territory — see travelling between The Gambia and Senegal. Tolls and rules for vehicles may apply and can change, so check before you go.

Crossings upriver

East of the bridge, the river narrows to a few hundred metres and there are smaller crossings serving local traffic. Janjanbureh, on MacCarthy Island in the middle of the river, is connected to the banks by ferry and bridge links whose arrangements have changed over the years. Around Basse and further east, small ferries and boats link the two banks. These are local services: capacity is limited, schedules are informal, and some may not take vehicles or may stop during high water or maintenance. Ask locally, and do not plan a tight itinerary around them.

Driving the loop road: how long does it take?

People often ask how long it takes to "drive the loop" in The Gambia. There is no single official loop, but the usual idea is to travel east along one bank and back along the other, crossing the river at each end.

The shorter loop (via the Senegambia Bridge)

From the Kombos, drive east along the south bank road via Brikama towards Soma.
Cross the Senegambia Bridge to the north bank near Farafenni.
Drive west along the north bank road towards Barra.
Take the Banjul–Barra ferry back to Banjul.

Physically this can be driven in a single long day, but it makes for a tiring one: the driving is long, and the Barra ferry wait at the end is unpredictable. Doing it in reverse (ferry first, in the morning) at least puts the least predictable part early. Most people who want to see anything along the way spread it over two days.

The longer loop (to Janjanbureh or Basse)

Going further east — to Janjanbureh, the Wassu stone circles or Basse — and returning on the other bank is a multi-day trip. Allow at least two to three days, and more if you want to birdwatch, take a river trip, or explore. The itineraries guide has suggested plans.

Road conditions differ between stretches, and checkpoints, livestock, towns and weather all slow things down. Treat any timings you hear as rough, and avoid driving after dark on rural roads. The driving guide covers the practicalities.

Tips for crossing the river

Carry ID; checkpoints near crossings may ask for it.
Keep some cash in dalasi for tickets, tolls and snacks while you wait.
If you are driving a hired car, confirm with the rental company that ferry crossings and upcountry travel are allowed.
Drinking water and a charged phone make long ferry waits easier.
For shared transport, ask whether the vehicle crosses with you or whether you change on the other side.
See the River Gambia guide for the river itself, and the map to picture the routes.

Frequently asked questions

How do you cross the River Gambia?

Near the coast, most people use the Banjul–Barra ferry. Inland, the Senegambia Bridge links the north and south banks between the Farafenni and Soma areas. Smaller ferries and boats operate further upriver.

How long does the Banjul to Barra ferry take?

The crossing itself is usually somewhere around half an hour to an hour, but waiting times can be much longer, especially for vehicles at busy times or when fewer ferries are running.

When did the Senegambia Bridge open?

The Senegambia Bridge opened in January 2019. It crosses the river between Bambatenda on the north bank and Yelitenda on the south bank, on the Trans-Gambia Highway.

How long would it take to drive the loop road in The Gambia?

A short loop via the Senegambia Bridge and the Barra ferry can be done in one long day, but two days is more comfortable. A loop reaching Janjanbureh or Basse needs at least two to three days.

Is it safe to take a pirogue from Banjul to Barra?

Pirogues are widely used but carry more risk than the ferry, as boats can be crowded and the estuary rough. If you use one, avoid overloaded boats, wear a life jacket and do not travel in bad weather or after dark.

Can you take a car on the Banjul–Barra ferry?

Yes, the ferry carries vehicles, but queues for cars and lorries can be very long. Foot passengers usually board much faster.