Sierra Leone Getting There & Away

Getting There & Away

By Air Most visitors arrive in Sierra Leone by air. Direct flights are available from London by Sierra National Airlines (SNA). SN Brussels also operates twice weekly from Brussels with connections from other European cities to and from Freetown. Visitors to Sierra Leone can also connect on Air France and KLM using regional airline to and from Conakry and Abidjan. Connections from other West African cities are available through Ghana Airways, Weasua Air Transport, Gambia International Airlines, Belleview, Paramount Airlines and Air Guinee. There are currently negotiations going on for other flights to operate to and from Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone lies in the same time zone as Europe and only 6 ½ flying hours direct from London and Paris. Therefore there is no jet lag. The international airport is at Lungi, the other side of the estuary from Freetown. A short helicopter ride is required on old Russian MI8's to the Aberdeen part of Freetown. Alternatively a ferry runs to the main part of Freetown and a hovercraft sometimes runs. By road it is 2-3 hours to the city. Three airlines run flights to London. Astraeus is the most established, with two flights per wek to Gatwick. African airline, Bellview flies to Heathrow, but can be unreliable and finally, BMED are starting flights to Heathrow at the end of October 2006. SN Brussels flies to Brussels. Flights to Nairobi and many Western African countries are available. By land Currently Sierra Leone can be accessed by road from Guinea (Conakry). Special permits are required if transiting the border with a private vehicle. Private taxis, buses and trucks commute daily to and from Conakry/Freetown. By Sea Sierra Leone has the 3rd largest natural harbour in the world and is looking forward to the arrival of cruise ships. Cargo and Passenger ships berth at the Queen Elizabeth II quay, while some passenger/Cargo and private crafts can land at the Government Wharf in central Freetown, arriving most times from Conakry and Banjul. Enquiries should be made to Cargo Shipping Agencies. By car Currently Sierra Leone can be accessed by road from Guinea(Conakry). Special permits are required if transiting the border with a private vehicle. Private taxis, buses and trucks commute daily to and from Conakry/Freetown. By bus Public transport is not generally recommended