1Victoria Island (VI)
Lagos's upscale business and entertainment district. Freedom Park and the Jazz Hole bookshop are highlights.
Photo: Ayodele Yusuf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Murtala Muhammed Airport (LOS) · Nigeria
12-Hour Layover in Lagos: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Jeremy Weate from Abuja, Nigeria, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Lagos?
Entry
Nigeria requires a visa for most nationalities. e-Visa available at immigration.gov.ng. ECOWAS nationals visa-free. UK, US, AUS need advance visa.
Into town
Taxi / Uber: 30–90 min (traffic), $15–30.
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from LOS arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Lagos: Where to Go
The sights in Lagos worth leaving the airport for.
1
2Nike Art Gallery
Five floors of contemporary Nigerian art — one of Africa's largest private art collections. Free entry.
Photo: FrankvEck, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
market
Lekki Arts & Crafts Market
West Africa's finest crafts market for Yoruba beadwork, Benin bronzes, and kente cloth. Haggle firmly.
Itinerary ideas for Lagos
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
3 hours in Lagos
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
See the 3-hour planPhoto: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
12 hours
You are here12 hours in Lagos
6–8 hours exploring
Insider tip
Lagos traffic is legendary — a 20km journey can take 3 hours at peak times (7–9am, 4–8pm). Plan layover city visits for midday windows.
Into Lagos
Getting to Lagos City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi / Uber | $15–30 | 30–90 min (traffic) |
| BRT Bus | $0.50 | 60 min |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Lagos
Jollof rice with fried plantain (dodo) at a local buka (street canteen) — the definitive West African food experience, 1,000–1,500 NGN.
12 hours in Lagos
12-Hour Itinerary
1
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Lagos
Take Taxi / Uber (30–90 min (traffic), $15–30).
2
1–4 hrs
Victoria Island (VI)
Lagos's upscale business and entertainment district. Freedom Park and the Jazz Hole bookshop are highlights.
3
4–6 hrs
Nike Art Gallery
Five floors of contemporary Nigerian art — one of Africa's largest private art collections. Free entry.
4
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Jollof rice with fried plantain (dodo) at a local buka (street canteen) — the definitive West African food experience, 1,000–1,500 NGN.
5
8–10 hrs
Lekki Arts & Crafts Market
West Africa's finest crafts market for Yoruba beadwork, Benin bronzes, and kente cloth. Haggle firmly.
6
10–12 hrs
Back to Murtala Muhammed Airport
Head back to Murtala Muhammed Airport by Taxi / Uber (30–90 min (traffic), $15–30). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Lagos?
Nigeria requires a visa for most nationalities. e-Visa available at immigration.gov.ng. ECOWAS nationals visa-free. UK, US, AUS need advance visa. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 12 hours enough to leave Murtala Muhammed Airport?
6–8 hours exploring. Getting into Lagos by Taxi / Uber takes 30–90 min (traffic) each way.
How do I get from Murtala Muhammed Airport to Lagos centre?
Taxi / Uber: 30–90 min (traffic), $15–30. BRT Bus: 60 min, $0.50.
Where can I leave my bags in Lagos?
Luggage storage near Murtala Muhammed Airport and in Lagos is listed in our Lagos luggage storage guide.
Getting out of Murtala Muhammed Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Lagos
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Lagos and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse LagosJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Lagos? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Lagos.Trains & buses from Lagos
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Lagos Airport
With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Lagos
Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia
Search hotels
Planning a longer stay in Lagos?
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
Lagos Destination Guide →Also useful for your Lagos trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Lagos
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from LOS.
Flights to Lagos from 27 cities: fares and airlines →
Aero Contractors route mapAir Peace route mapArik Air route mapGreen Africa Airways route mapUnited Nigeria Airlines route mapAfrica World Airlines route mapAir Algerie route mapAir Burkina route mapAir Côte d'Ivoire route mapAir France route mapAir Senegal route mapAir Tanzania route mapASKY Airlines route mapAzman Air route mapBritish Airways route mapCabo Verde Airlines route mapCeiba Intercontinental route mapDelta Air Lines route map
Airport lounges at Murtala Muhammed Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Lagos travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Lagos works
01
Check you can leave
Nigeria requires a visa for most nationalities. e-Visa available at immigration.gov.ng. ECOWAS nationals visa-free. UK, US, AUS need advance visa.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Murtala Muhammed Airport by Taxi / Uber (30–90 min (traffic), $15–30). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Ready for Lagos?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.