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
3-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 3-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
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
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.
You are here3 hours in Lagos
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
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.
3 hours in Lagos
3-Hour Itinerary
1
0–30 min
Stay airside and find your departure area
With 3 hours, leaving Murtala Muhammed Airport is risky: passport control, the trip into Lagos and security on the way back take most of the time.
2
30–120 min
Eat, rest or use a lounge airside
Check the departures board for your gate before you settle in.
3
120–180 min
Go to your gate
Allow at least 30 minutes for security checks and the walk to the gate.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 3-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 3 hours enough to leave Murtala Muhammed Airport?
Stay airside — 3h is too tight. 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.Trains & buses from Lagos
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
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
Allow at least 30 minutes for security checks and the walk to the gate.
Ready for Lagos?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.