Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Gambia: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Best strategy in The Gambia is to split: exchange a little at the airport for taxis, then head to a bank ATM in Serrekunda or Banjul for the rest. Budget GMD 1,000-1,800 daily depending on meals and tours. ATMs from GTBank or Trust Bank usually give solid rates. Always bring backup euros or USD in case machines are down. Avoid converting large sums at the airport unless absolutely necessary.
The airport exchange in The Gambia felt like a rip-off. I swapped €100 when I landed, only to find later that I’d lost enough to cover two days of meals. ATMs in town gave much stronger rates, even after fees. The frustration was that Banjul Airport didn’t have many options, so I felt forced to exchange there. If you’re budgeting GMD 1,500-2,000 per day, don’t rely on the airport counter - wait for a bank ATM.
I changed €30 at Banjul Airport to pay for my taxi. Later, I used a Trust Bank ATM in Serrekunda, and the difference in rates was obvious. Meals cost around GMD 300 daily, and taxis another 200-300, so having the ATM rate stretched my money further. Still, ATMs sometimes ran out of cash, so it helped to have some euros as backup. Airport counters are fine for small sums, but ATMs give the better deal overall.
In The Gambia, ATMs often give a better rate than the airport exchange counters, but reliability can be an issue. Machines linked to banks like Trust Bank or GTBank provide fair dalasi conversions, while airport kiosks charge big markups. If you’re budgeting GMD 1,000-1,500 daily for meals, taxis, and activities, use ATMs in town for most withdrawals. Exchange a small amount at Banjul Airport if you need cash on arrival.