Moving from Lawanson (Surulere) to Onikan (Lagos Island) is a journey that connects the Mainland to the Island. While the physical distance is relatively short, your travel time depends heavily on the time of day, Eko Bridge traffic, and the transport option you choose. This guide gives you the smartest, most budget-friendly, and realistic ways to navigate this route without stress.
Hotspots
Best Time to Travel
For morning commuters, the best time to leave Lawanson is between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM to beat the heavy Island-bound bottleneck at Alaka and Eko Bridge. If you miss this window, wait until the off-peak period from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM when the roads are relatively clear. For evening return trips, avoid leaving Onikan between 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM unless you are prepared to sit in serious Mainland-bound traffic.
Chance to get bus/car
Plenty crowd / long queue
Hold-up Delay Today
9 mins delay
Time you will wait at park
24 to 29 mins wait
Fare Price Level
Fares are slightly higher (1.22x)
How Road Be Now
Severe evening congestion. Major routes are currently at high capacity.
Hold-up delay
+135 mins delay
* Based on regular route reports
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Walk or take a short Keke from your exact location in Lawanson to the main Lawanson Bus Stop. Board a commercial yellow bus (Danfo) heading towards Ojuelegba.
Drop at Ojuelegba Bus Stop. Walk down towards the Ojuelegba Under-bridge motor park and look for the conductors shouting 'CMS' or 'Obalende'. Board a Danfo going to Obalende via Eko Bridge.
Tell the conductor you will drop at Costain or Outer Marina if the traffic is bad, but ideally stay on the bus until it reaches Obalende Last Stop.
From Obalende Bus Terminus, take a very short walk or board a mini-bus heading towards CMS/Onikan, or take a short Keke directly to Onikan Stadium / King George V Road.
Always enter the bus with 'change' (small naira denominations like ₦100, ₦200, and ₦500) to avoid fierce arguments with conductors who do not have balance.
Listen carefully to the conductor. If they mention 'Obalende straight,' it means they are taking the bridge and skipping smaller inner stops, which is faster.
Keep your luggage small. Danfo buses are tightly packed, and you may be charged extra if your bag occupies extra legroom or seat space.
Hold your phone firmly in your hand or keep it deep in your pocket when boarding at Ojuelegba; pickpockets target rushing passengers.
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Safety Rating
Medium - The route is generally safe during the day, but you must stay alert. Ojuelegba Under-bridge and Costain are notorious for pickpockets and area boys (agberos), especially early in the morning and late at night. Always keep your phone and wallet secure inside your bag. Avoid counting cash in open buses and do not walk alone in isolated areas around Onikan or Lagos Island once it is dark.
BRT / Rail / Water
There is no direct BRT corridor or commercial rail line connecting Lawanson directly to Onikan. However, you can access the regular BRT buses or the Blue Line Rail if you take a short connection from Lawanson down to Fadeyi, Barracks, or National Theatre. Most commuters on this specific route rely on commercial yellow buses (Danfo) or ride-hailing services.
Distance
15.0 km
Duration
1h 15m
Total Cost
₦1,200 - ₦1,800
Status
Verified Route
How Road Be Now
Severe evening congestion. Major routes are currently at high capacity.
Hold-up delay
+135 mins delay
* Based on regular route reports
Bypass the Ikeja Under-Bridge corridor from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Traffic builds rapidly due to commercial buses loading along the main road lanes.
Areas Affected
75% confidence based on 12 commuter reports
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Bypass the Ikeja Under-Bridge corridor from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Traffic builds rapidly due to commercial buses loading along the main road lanes.
Areas Affected
Itire Road
Due to high fuel price inflation, you should have at least ₦2,500 cash in your pocket for a round trip using public transport. If you plan to use ride-hailing services, budget between ₦12,000 and ₦18,000 for a two-way journey, depending on traffic surge prices.
No, there is no direct BRT bus from Lawanson to Onikan. You have to use regular commercial Danfo buses. However, if you can get to the main expressway at Barracks or Fadeyi, you can use your Cowry Card to board a standard BRT bus heading to CMS, then connect to Onikan from there.
When Eko Bridge is completely blocked, the smartest alternative is to take a bus or Keke from Lawanson to Yaba, then board a direct Island bus from Yaba that goes through Carter Bridge. Carter Bridge will drop you at Idumota/Ebute Ero, where you can easily get a short connection to Onikan.
It is best to start your return journey by 8:00 PM at the latest. By 9:00 PM, buses become scarce, fares double, and transit points like Obalende, Costain, and Ojuelegba Under-bridge become very dark and unsafe for commuters due to criminal activities.