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Libreville Leon M’ba Layover Guide (LBV)

What are you looking for in LBV?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Libreville Airport (LBV) is an international airport located in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. It’s situated about 11 km (6.8 miles) from downtown Libreville. The airport officially began operations in 1950. Libreville is the largest city in Gabon and serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural hub. The city is known for its Atlantic coastline, vibrant markets, and diverse culinary scene, making it a lively gateway to Central Africa.

Can you leave Libreville Airport (LBV) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Passengers at Libreville Airport for layovers may exit airport if they clear immigration. All non-Gabonese travelers require a tourist visa obtained in advance (no visas on arrival). Apply online or at a Gabon diplomatic mission at least three days before travel with proof of onward ticket. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• St. Michael’s Cathedral An iconic 1950s cathedral noted for its striking architecture and panoramic city views. (Time required: 45–60 minutes. / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 min; city bus ~35 min.)
• Musée National des Arts et Traditions Showcases Gabon’s rich cultural heritage through traditional masks, sculptures and textiles in a modern setting. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 min; public bus ~30 min.)
• Mont Fébé Cable Car Scenic aerial ride offering breathtaking views over Libreville and the Atlantic coast from 170 m above sea level. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Taxi ~25 min; no direct bus, taxi recommended.)
• Jardin Botanique de Libreville Lush gardens featuring endemic tropical flora, winding paths and tranquil ponds ideal for a relaxing stroll. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 min; city bus ~30 min.)
• Pointe‐Denis Beach A pristine coastline perfect for sunbathing, swimming and fresh seafood at local beach huts. (Time required: 2–3 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi ~1 h; shared shuttle available.)
• Marché Mont‐Bouët Vibrant open‐air market brimming with local produce, crafts and street food for an authentic shopping experience. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi ~15 min; minibuses on request.)
• Boat Trip to Loos Islands Short scenic boat ride to nearby isles for snorkeling, wildlife spotting and island exploration. (Time required: 3–4 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi to port ~20 min; boat ~15 min.)
• Presidential Palace Viewpoint Admire the elegant white façade of the palace from across the landscaped gardens and snap memorable photos. (Time required: 30–45 minutes. / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 min; city bus ~30 min.)

Things to Do in Libreville Airport (LBV)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Libreville Airport offers four private lounges: the VIP Ekena Lounge with fast-track access, the newly renovated Samba Lounge (70 seats, bar, dining, Wi-Fi), the business-class Koussou Lounge for domestic flights, and private waiting rooms at check-in for Business/Class and PRI/Reduced-mobility passengers. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Numerous hotels lie within a 2- to 5-kilometre radius of LBV. Key options include Park Inn by Radisson (1 km, modern rooms, restaurant), Radisson Blu Okoume Palace (4.5 ★, pool, spa), and Résidence Hôtelière du Phare (boutique, airport shuttle). All offer 24-hour reception and airport transfers. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
The terminal remains open 24/7, but lacks dedicated sleep pods. Three VIP lounges operate round-the-clock for a fee. Otherwise, travelers may camp on seating with blankets or rent a nearby hotel for overnight comfort. No luggage lockers are available on-site.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in all lounges; public airport Wi-Fi requires payment at kiosks in the main hall. Data speeds suffice for email and web browsing. USB charging stations and dataports are scattered airside. Network reliability is moderate, with peak-hour slowdowns.

SIM/eSIM Card: Airtel and Libertis/Moov kiosks stand in the central terminal hallway (after customs), open daily 08:00–19:00. Physical SIMs cost ~1 000 XAF, top-ups from 500 XAF (130 MB/1 day) to 40 000 XAF (50 GB/30 days); cash only. International eSIMs (e.g., Airalo) are also popular for immediate digital activation. » Find out where and how to buy SIM card/eSIM in our Libreville Airport (LBV) sim/eSim page.

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Red-white or purple-white taxis wait curbside 24/7. The 11 km ride to downtown Libreville takes 10–20 minutes. Fares (negotiated upfront) range 2 000–4 000 XAF by day (double after 21:00). No meters; counter-system SOGATRA “new taxis” operate on fixed-rate counters launched in 2014.

Train: No rail link directly serves LBV. The nearest station is Owendo (12 km by taxi), terminus of the Trans-Gabon Railway. Passenger trains run four times weekly between Owendo and Franceville. Schedule and bookings at SETRAG: more info .

Bus: There’s no dedicated airport bus. Regular intercity services depart Libreville’s central SOGATRA station: daily routes include Lambaréné (3 h 49 m, ~10 USD). Trans’Urb also runs bi-daily services. Taxi or shuttle links to the city bus hub are advised. Tickets and schedules at more info.

Shuttle: No public shuttle; many hotels offer complimentary airport transfers—confirm at booking. Private shuttle companies (e.g., ShuttleAfrica, Infinity Luxe Chauffeur) provide shared or private rides with online reservations, flight-tracking and wait-time allowances, typically 20–30 € one-way.

Car rentals: Major agencies (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, keddy) have counters on the main floor. Requirements: valid international driver’s license (2+ years held), passport/ID, credit card. Economy cars from ~67 USD/day; operate 06:30–20:00 daily. Pick-up/drop-off at Terminal 1 arrivals. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Three lots serve LBV: P1/P2 (150 m walk; first 10 min free; 500 XAF per 20 min thereafter; lost ticket 50 000 XAF) and P3 (100 m walk; free). P2 has 150 spaces; P3 has 50. Subscriptions for unlimited monthly/yearly access are available.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

No self-service lockers. Baggage carts are free; manual porter service and lost-&-found handled by the airport’s Baggage Services desk. Long-term storage must be arranged via nearby hotels or luggage forwarding services. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Libreville Airport (LBV) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks