Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Banjul
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $15-58 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Banjul
Accommodation
$8-25 per night
Basic guesthouses, budget hotels, and shared rooms in local compounds
Food & Dining
$5-15 per day
Local street food, market stalls, traditional rice and fish dishes, attaya tea
Transportation
$2-8 per day
Shared taxis (gele-geles), local buses, walking within city center
Activities
$0-10 per day
Free beach access, local markets, occasional museum entry, self-guided walking
Currency: GMD Gambian Dalasi (though USD widely accepted in tourist areas)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Banjul
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local markets and street food stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)
Use shared taxis (gele-geles) instead of private taxis for 70-85% savings on transport
Stay in local guesthouses rather than international hotels (usually 50-70% less expensive)
Visit during rainy season for accommodation discounts of 30-50%
Buy fresh produce and snacks from local markets instead of hotel shops (typically 3-4x cheaper)
Book accommodation directly with properties to avoid booking platform fees of 10-20%
Use public ferry services instead of private boat tours when available (generally 80% cheaper)
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Taking private taxis for all transport instead of shared options (typically 3-5x more expensive)
Eating only at hotels and tourist-focused restaurants (usually 100-200% markup over local prices)
Not negotiating prices at markets and for services where bargaining is expected (can overpay by 50-100%)
Booking last-minute accommodation during peak season (typically 40-80% higher rates)
Exchanging money at airports or hotels instead of local banks (usually 5-15% worse rates)