Layover Guide

Making the most of your stopover at Lungi International Airport — hotels, city tours and transit tips.

Your FNA Layover at a Glance

City AccessAccessible

Minimum layover for city6 hours

Inside the airport

A small terminal with one bar/café, a restaurant, and a duty-free shop; the airport reportedly will not hold luggage for transit passengers, so plan accordingly.

Lungi Airport Lodge is listed on hotel booking sites as lodging near the airport — a useful option for travelers who'd rather not attempt the ferry crossing on a tight connection.

Visa-on-arrival is offered to most eligible nationalities (about $80, 1 month; free or discounted for several African nations; ECOWAS citizens enter visa-free). A separate $25 airport security fee applies on both arrival and departure, and Yellow Fever/COVID-19 vaccination certificates are required.

Transit visa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Sierra Leone before travel.

Layover Duration Guide

Under 3 hrs

Stay Airside

Grab a meal, use the lounge or rest. Not enough time to clear immigration and return safely.

3 – 6 hrs

Airport Exploration

Explore landside facilities, duty-free and airport dining. Consider a transit hotel if you need rest.

6 – 12 hrs

Quick City Visit

Enough time to visit Freetown (Lungi-Town) city centre if transit visa permits. Allow 3 hrs buffer for return and re-entry.

12 hrs+

Overnight Stay

Book a nearby hotel. You can explore Freetown (Lungi-Town) properly — consider a guided tour to maximise your time.

Hotels Near FNA

Staying close to the airport? Airport hotels and transit hotels let you rest without a long transfer.

Recommended · Hotels

Find Hotels Near FNA

Airport hotels, transit stays and Freetown (Lungi-Town) city centre options — free cancellation on most bookings.

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City Tours from FNA

Short on time? Layover tours are designed to fit your connection window — pickup from the airport, back before your gate opens.

Recommended · Tours

Freetown (Lungi-Town) Layover Tours

Half-day and layover-specific tours with airport pickup. See the highlights of Freetown (Lungi-Town) without missing your connection.

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Practical Tips for Your FNA Layover

Use left-luggage storage at Lungi International Airport if you plan to leave the terminal — most airports offer coin lockers or staffed storage near arrivals.

Get a Sierra Leone eSIM before your layover so you have data for maps and translation the moment you land.

Download offline maps for Freetown (Lungi-Town) in advance — useful if you leave the terminal and connectivity is patchy.

Always allow at least 3 hours buffer before your next departure when leaving the airport — immigration queues are unpredictable.

Check your next airline's check-in deadline. Some require you to be at the gate 45–60 minutes before departure.

Recommended · eSIM

Stay Connected in Sierra Leone

Activate a Sierra Leone eSIM on Airalo before you travel — instant data, no SIM card queue at the airport.

Browse Sierra Leone plans →

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