Coming Home for December: A Lagos Arrival Checklist

December is when Lagos fills up. Friends and family come home from London, Houston, Toronto and Dublin, and the city runs at full speed from about 6 to 31 December. It's the best time of year to be home, and it's also the hardest time to sort things out at the last minute.

Here's what to settle before you board.

1. Check your passport and visa

• Travelling on a Nigerian passport? Check it's still valid.
• Travelling on a foreign passport? Nigeria ended visa on arrival on 1 May 2025. Visitors now apply for an e-Visa before they travel, through the official Nigeria Immigration Service portal.
• Children born abroad who travel on a foreign passport need their own e-Visa. This one catches families at check-in.

Apply early. December is busy for the immigration service too.

2. Book your flight now, and be flexible on dates

December fares rise as seats sell, and the price can change a lot from one day to the next. In October, one news check found a Lagos to Abuja fare of ₦135,000 on 17 December, while nearby dates were ₦284,500. If you can move your trip by a day or two, you have a better chance of a good fare.

3. Plan your airport pickup

After a long flight, the last thing you want is to haggle at arrivals. Arrange a pickup before you fly, so someone is waiting with your name. Share your flight number so they can track delays.

4. Sort out where you're staying

Shortlets in popular parts of Lagos book up early in December. Decide:

• Area. Stay close to where you'll spend most of your time, because Lagos traffic in December is serious.
• Power and water. Ask about backup power.
• Check-in time, especially if you land early in the morning or late at night.

5. Get a car

Moving around Lagos in December takes planning. Decide between:

• A car with a driver. The driver knows the roads and you can rest.
• Self-drive. More freedom, but you'll need to be confident with Lagos roads and parking.

Book this before you land too, because cars run short around Christmas.

6. Your first day

• A local SIM, or check your roaming.
• Some cash for small purchases.
• A power bank.
• Light clothes. It's hot, and harmattan brings dust, so pack lip balm and moisturiser.

Pikinic Stay and Ride

We put the pieces together: a short-stay apartment, a car (with or without a driver) and an airport pickup, booked in one conversation.

Send HOME to +234 806 579 4790 on WhatsApp with your dates and how many people are travelling.

Visa rules can change. Check the Nigeria Immigration Service website before you travel.