By LagosMove Senior Editor. Researched and checked against FAAN notices and airline guidance. Last reviewed: November 9, 2026.
Lagos Airport is Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), airport code LOS, in Ikeja. It isn’t one building. International flights use the international complex, and domestic flights use separate domestic terminals. Your terminal depends on your airline and flight, so confirm it before you leave home.
This guide helps you pick the right terminal, time your arrival, get to and from the airport safely, and choose a hotel. It separates what official sources confirm from what is still changing.
Key takeaways
- Confirm your terminal with your airline 24 hours before your flight and again before you leave.
- Terminal 2 and MMA2 are different places. Terminal 2 is international. MMA2 is domestic.
- Terminal 1 is closed for reconstruction, according to FAAN.
- Plan at least three hours for international flights and two for domestic ones. Follow your airline if it asks for more.
- No train goes to the terminals. You arrive by road, so plan for traffic and rain.
- Book rides through verified channels and check the plate number before you get in.
On this page: Quick facts | Terminals | Terminal 1 status | When to arrive | Arrivals | Departures | Transfers | Safety | Hotels | Layovers | Delays | Booking checklist | FAQs
Lagos Airport quick facts
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Official name | Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) |
| Airport code | LOS (IATA), DNMM (ICAO) |
| Location | Ikeja, Lagos State |
| Operator | Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) |
| Terminals | International complex, plus separate domestic terminals |
| Rail link | None to the terminals |
The airport is named after Murtala Muhammed, a former Nigerian head of state. “Lagos Airport” in everyday speech means MMIA. If you’re unsure how Lagos airports are named, read our guide to how many airports are in Lagos. FAAN’s MMIA Lagos page is the official reference.
Lagos Airport terminals: which one is yours?
Match your flight to the building below. If your airline’s latest message says something different, follow the airline.
| Facility | Used for | Tell your driver |
|---|---|---|
| International Terminal 2 | International arrivals, plus some international departures | “MMIA international, Terminal 2” |
| Temporary departure hall (beside Terminal 2) | International departures for assigned airlines | “International temporary departure hall, beside Terminal 2” |
| Terminal 1 | Closed for reconstruction | Don’t use it as a drop-off point |
| MMA2 | Domestic flights for airlines based there | “MMA2 domestic terminal” |
| General Aviation Terminal (GAT) | Domestic flights for assigned airlines | “GAT domestic terminal” |
Terminal 2 is not MMA2. This is the most common mix-up. Terminal 2 is international. MMA2 is a domestic terminal. A driver who hears “Terminal 2” for a domestic flight may take you to the wrong building.
Domestic terminals vary by airline. Terminal lists online disagree, so check the terminal on your own ticket or ask the airline. The Tribune has reported how split domestic terminals have caused uncertainty and missed flights.
For more detail, use our MMA1 and MMA2 guide, our Lagos domestic terminal guide and our building-by-building terminal guide. To see which airlines fly from Lagos, read airlines in Lagos.
What is happening at Terminal 1?
FAAN says Terminal 1 is closed while it is rebuilt. Its MMIA rehabilitation FAQs describe a 22-month work period, barring unforeseen delays. FAAN also describes a temporary departure hall of about 8,000 square metres next to Terminal 2, with check-in, security and three departure gates, and room for up to 1,500 passengers at peak times. International arrivals continue through Terminal 2.
Some details are still moving. Here is what the sources support:
| Question | What sources say | How to treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Is Terminal 1 closed? | FAAN says yes, for reconstruction | Confirmed by FAAN |
| Which airlines use the temporary hall? | A federal information report said five to six airlines at first | Ask your airline which hall it uses |
| Is the temporary hall running on a given day? | Reports differ on timing. One said it was near completion | Check your airline’s message |
| Has flooding disrupted it? | PUNCH reported a flood closure that moved airlines to Terminal 2, with no cancellations according to FAAN | Rain can change your departure point |
| Is the link bridge between the terminals open? | A federal report says work is on track for a December opening | A target, not a confirmed opening |
A published target isn’t an open facility. Use your airline’s app, email or text as the final word.
How early should you arrive at Lagos Airport?
FAAN’s own pages differ. Its general FAQ tells international passengers to arrive at least four hours before departure. Its Passenger Experience page says three hours for international flights and two for domestic flights.
Our working rule: at least three hours for international flights and two for domestic flights. Add a fourth hour if you’re checking bags, flying at a peak time, or your airline asks for it. Then add road time on top. Our Lagos road trip times guide helps you choose a departure window from your area.
Arriving at Lagos Airport: a step-by-step routine
- Collect your bags and check them before you leave the hall.
- Note which building you’re in: international Terminal 2 or a domestic terminal.
- Message your driver or hotel with that exact name.
- Go to the official pickup point. Don’t follow anyone who approaches you unasked.
- Check the driver’s name, car and plate number before you get in.
- Keep your booking reference and receipt until the trip ends.
If a bag doesn’t arrive, report it to your airline’s baggage desk before you leave the hall. Bring your boarding pass and baggage tag. For immigration questions, read our Lagos Airport immigration questions guide. For a full walkthrough, see our Lagos Airport arrival guide and our guide to what to know after landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport.
Departing from Lagos Airport
Check your terminal the night before and again before you leave. Send the exact terminal name to your driver. Carry a screenshot of your booking in case your phone signal drops.
- Your passport and visa are valid for your destination.
- Your airline’s check-in time and baggage rules are saved.
- Your terminal is confirmed, including the temporary departure hall if your airline uses it.
- Your driver has the exact drop-off name, not just “Lagos airport.”
Our Lagos Airport departure guide covers drop-off, check-in and timing in more detail. Still choosing flights? Read our guide to flights from Lagos.
Getting to and from Lagos Airport
Road transport is the only way in. A rail journey still needs a road link at the end.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Authorised airport taxi | A direct trip right after landing | Agree the total fare before you leave |
| Ride-hailing app | Solo travelers with light bags | Use the app’s pickup point. Fares can rise with demand |
| Private transfer | Families, late arrivals, heavy luggage | Confirm terminal, waiting time and extra fees in writing |
| Hotel shuttle | Airport-area hotel stays | Operating hours, terminals served, cost |
| Bus or BRT connection | Light luggage and a flexible schedule | Transfers, walking and limited luggage space |
Fares change with demand, traffic, rain and time of day. We don’t list fixed prices here because no single official tariff covers every option. Read our Lagos airport taxi fare guide for how pricing works, then confirm the total before you ride.
- Landing late, traveling with children, or carrying heavy bags? Pre-book a private transfer.
- Traveling alone with light bags? Use a ride-hailing app and follow its pickup instructions.
- Going to the Island or Lekki at rush hour? Add extra time. The trip is longer and more exposed to traffic.
Related guides: Lagos airport transportation, airport to the city, airport pickup and drop-off, BRT in Lagos and our wider Lagos transport guide.
Lagos Airport safety: how to avoid scams and touts
- Walk past unsolicited offers for rides, hotels or currency exchange.
- Book through the app or provider’s verified channel.
- Never send money to a personal account because someone at arrivals asks you to.
- Load your bags into the car before you pay or check your phone.
- Keep your receipt and booking reference until the trip ends.
For more, read our Lagos Airport safety tips.
Hotels near Lagos Airport
Pick your area by flight time and plans in the city.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Airport road and Mafoluku | Early flights, short stops | Fewer restaurants and services |
| Ikeja and GRA | Close access, restaurants, offices | Still needs a short road trip in traffic |
| Alausa | Government and office visits | Not an airport-first area |
| Victoria Island and Lekki | Longer stays and leisure | Longer, traffic-heavy airport trip |
Before you book, ask the hotel in writing: Is the shuttle free or paid? What hours does it run? Does it serve your terminal, including the temporary departure hall? Where does the driver meet you? Check the hotel’s exact map pin, not just the area name.
Browse our guides to hotels near Lagos Airport, airport hotels in Ikeja and top hotels in Ikeja. For a specific option, read our ibis Lagos Airport hotel review. Staying longer in the city? See hotels in Victoria Island and hotels in Lekki.
Only need a few hours? Compare day-use hotels in Lagos, airport lounge access and sleeping at MMIA overnight.
Layovers, transit and lounges
Want to leave the airport during a layover? Check whether you need a visa or transit permission first. The Nigeria Immigration Service explains its transit without visa rules. Allow time for immigration, bags, traffic and the trip back. Don’t leave on a short layover, because Lagos traffic can turn a short trip into a missed flight.
Lounge access depends on your airline, ticket class or card. Confirm it before you rely on it.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled
Contact your airline first. Keep every message and receipt. If the airline doesn’t resolve your issue, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the aviation regulator, handles passenger complaints. Start at the NCAA website. For airport facilities and services, use FAAN’s official channels at faan.gov.ng.
Booking checklist: flights, transfers, hotels and cover
- Flights: Confirm the airline, terminal, baggage allowance and check-in deadline. Compare fare rules, not just price.
- Airport transfer: Get the terminal, pickup point, waiting policy and final price in writing.
- Hotel: Check the cancellation rules, shuttle hours and map pin.
- Travel insurance: Read what it covers for delays, missed connections and lost baggage. Many policies exclude some causes.
- Documents: Check passport validity and any visa or health requirements with official sources.
LagosMove doesn’t take paid placements. No hotel, airline or transport company paid to appear in this guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main airport in Lagos called?
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), code LOS, in Ikeja. It has separate international and domestic terminals, so confirm which one your flight uses.
Is MMA2 the same as Terminal 2?
No. Terminal 2 is part of the international complex. MMA2 is a separate domestic terminal. Give your driver the exact name on your booking.
Is Terminal 1 at Lagos Airport open?
No. FAAN says Terminal 1 is closed for reconstruction. International departures use Terminal 2 or a temporary hall beside it, depending on your airline.
How early should I arrive for an international flight from Lagos?
FAAN pages give three or four hours. Plan at least three, and add a fourth if you’re checking bags or flying at a peak time. Follow your airline’s reporting time, then add road time.
Is there a train from Lagos Airport to the city?
No direct train serves the terminals. Use a taxi, ride-hailing app, private transfer, hotel shuttle or bus connection.
How much is a taxi from Lagos Airport?
There’s no single official fare. Prices vary with distance, traffic, rain and demand. Confirm the total before you ride. See our taxi fare guide.
Where should I stay near Lagos Airport?
Airport road and Mafoluku suit early flights. Ikeja and GRA offer more services nearby. Confirm shuttle hours and the terminals served before you pay.
Can I sleep at Lagos Airport overnight?
It depends on your situation and airport rules. Read our guide to sleeping at MMIA overnight and check with your airline first.
How we check this guide
LagosMove checks airport and operator details against official channels, including FAAN notices and airline guidance. Airport arrangements can change without notice. Confirm your flight and terminal with your airline before you travel. Explore more in our Lagos travel guide or return to the LagosMove homepage.
Sources: FAAN (MMIA Lagos, rehabilitation FAQs, general FAQs, Passenger Experience), Nigeria Immigration Service, NCAA, PUNCH, Tribune, Federal Ministry of Information (temporary terminal, link bridge).