Owing to political instability, some flights from Europe and the USA are still suspended or disrupted. The situation is likely to improve. Check with the relevant airlines, the embassy or high commission for up-to-date information. The only UK airline still flying to Sierra Leone is Astraeus Airlines (website: www.flyastraeus.com), which operates non-stop, twice-weekly scheduled services between London Gatwick and Freetown (Lungi) Airport. BMed plans to operate flights from London Heathrow to Freetown via Dakar, Senegal from October 2006.

From Freetown to London is 10 hours 30 minutes (including transit in Accra).

Freetown (FNA) (Lungi) is 13km (8 miles) north of the city (travel time – 45 minutes). To/from the airport: There is a catamaran/ferry link as well as taxi and bus services to the city. A helicopter service is also available (travel time – six minutes). Facilities: Post office, bar, shops and currency exchange.

US$20 (payable in hard currency by all except nationals of Sierra Leone). Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt.

Main ports: Freetown. There are services to Guinea Republic and Liberia.

There are no passenger services at present.

There are routes from Guinea Republic and Liberia, but access depends on the prevailing political situation. Contact the Embassy or High Commission for up-to-date information.

Sierra National Airlines (LJ) does not operate internal flights. Private airlines can be chartered.

Ferries connect all coastal ports. For details, contact local authorities or the National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone (see Top Things To See & Do).

Traffic drives on the right. Sierra Leone has over 10,000km (6214 miles) of roads. Although the principal highways have a tarred surface, the secondary roads are poorly maintained and often impassable during the rainy season. There are some roadblocks at night on major roads near centres of population. Bus: Local and long-distance bus services are operated by the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation. Buses are fast and cheap and connect all the major centres. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Limited bus services in Freetown are operated by the Road Transport Corporation, although a substantial part of the city’s public transport is provided by minibuses and share-taxis.