Book a shortlet in Victoria Island if your trip is about meetings, hotels and evenings out, because they are all close by. Book in Lekki if you want more space, a quieter estate or a base for a family or group. If you will be in Victoria Island every day, stay there: time in traffic can cost more than you plan for.
Both areas are on the Island side of Lagos, and both are popular for shortlets (also written short lets). This guide helps you match the area to your trip, compare prices fairly, and plan how you will move between them.
The quick answer
Start with what you will do most days. Then pick the area that keeps you closest to it.
| Your trip | Better base | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Business meetings in VI or Ikoyi | Victoria Island | Offices, banks and hotels are close together |
| Restaurants and nights out | Victoria Island or Lekki Phase 1 | Both have plenty of places to eat and go out |
| Family holiday or a group of friends | Lekki | More large homes, often in gated estates |
| A long stay, working from “home” | Lekki | More space for the money in many streets, and quieter evenings |
| Split between both | Lekki Phase 1 or Oniru | The parts of Lekki nearest to Victoria Island |
| An early flight | Neither | The airport is on the Mainland, in Ikeja |
Ready to look? Browse shortlets in Victoria Island and shortlets in Lekki side by side, with the same dates in mind.
On Cabans, homes that take online bookings have a booking box with a calendar on their listing page. There is no search filter for them yet, so open a few listings to see which ones you can book straight away.
Victoria Island: who it suits
Victoria Island, or VI, is one of the main business districts in Lagos. Company offices, banks, hotels and many restaurants sit within a small area. That makes it the easy choice when your days are full of meetings.
VI suits you if:
- you are in Lagos for work, and your meetings are in VI or Ikoyi;
- you want restaurants, lounges and nightlife close to your door;
- you are staying one to three nights, and location matters more than space;
- you are travelling alone or as a couple.
What to expect:
- Mostly flats. Many VI shortlets are apartments in blocks, and some are serviced, with cleaning and security included.
- Busy streets. Some roads are noisy until late. Ask which side of the building the bedroom faces.
- Parking. Space can be tight. If you are driving, ask the host about parking before you book.
- Neighbours. Ikoyi is next door and quieter. Oniru sits between VI and Lekki Phase 1.
Want the quieter side of the same area? See shortlets in Ikoyi too.
Homes you can book online in VI are gathered on shortlet apartments in Victoria Island.
Lekki: who it suits
Lekki is a long stretch of neighbourhoods along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Lekki Phase 1 is the part closest to VI. Further along come areas such as Ikate, Chevron, Osapa and Agungi, and then Ajah.
Lekki suits you if:
- you are a family, or a group of friends who want to stay together;
- you want a larger home, such as a duplex or a flat with two or three bedrooms;
- you are staying a week or longer, and want room to cook, work and rest;
- you prefer quieter evenings inside an estate.
What to expect:
- More space. Lekki has many duplexes and larger flats, some with a shared or private pool.
- Estates. Many homes sit in gated estates with their own security. Some have rules about visitors, parking or parties, so read the house rules.
- Distance. The further east you stay, the longer the trip to VI. Ajah is much further than Lekki Phase 1.
- Plenty to do. Lekki Phase 1 has its own restaurants, shops and places to go out.
Narrow it down with shortlets in Lekki Phase 1, the full guide to shortlet apartments in Lekki, or shortlets in Ajah if you want to be further out.
Power, water and security in both
Daily comfort in a Lagos shortlet depends more on the building than on the area. A well-run block in VI and a well-run estate home in Lekki can feel much the same. Ask every host the same questions:
- Power. How many hours of grid power does the home usually get? Is there a generator, an inverter or solar, and when does it run?
- Water. Is there a borehole or a tank, and is the water treated?
- Security. Is there a gate, a guard or a gatehouse? What must visitors do to get in?
- Internet. Is there Wi-Fi, and is it fast enough for video calls if you are working?
Write the answers down for each home you are thinking about. They often decide the choice better than the name of the area.
What drives the price in each
We do not quote prices here, because they change with the dates and the home. Do not assume one area is always cheaper. A small flat in VI can cost less than a large duplex in Lekki, and the reverse can be true too.
These things move the price in both areas:
- The exact street. Homes near the water, the business core or a popular road usually cost more.
- Size. Count bedrooms and beds, not just the building.
- The building. Power all day, a pool, a gym or a lift add to the price.
- Your dates. Weekends, public holidays and December often cost more than a quiet weekday.
- Length of stay. Some hosts give a discount for longer stays.
- Fees. A cleaning fee and a caution deposit can change the total a lot.
To compare fairly:
- Pick the same dates and the same number of guests for every home.
- Compare homes of the same size, such as two bedrooms with two bathrooms.
- Compare the full total, not the night price.
- For a group, divide the total by the number of people.
- Ask each host about power, water and parking, because they change daily life more than a few naira do.
Our guide to how much a shortlet in Lagos costs explains each part of the bill. If you are still choosing a size, 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms helps.
On Cabans, each free day in a listing’s calendar shows its night price in small blue text. Pick your dates, and the green “Price Breakdown” shows the nights, any discount, the cleaning fee, the caution deposit and the total. You pay securely online through Paystack, and Paystack’s fee is shown before you pay and is not refunded. See how to check dates and the price for a stay.
Getting between them
Lekki and VI are close on a map, but traffic decides how long the trip takes. There are two main ways across:
- Along the expressway. From Lekki, drive west along the Lekki-Epe Expressway towards VI. This is the direct road, and it gets very busy.
- Through Ikoyi. From Lekki Phase 1, cross the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge into Ikoyi, then drive on to VI.
Expect toll points on the main routes. We do not give travel times, because they change so much with the hour. When roads are clear, Lekki Phase 1 to VI can be a short drive. In the morning and evening rush, and on Friday evenings, the same trip can take far longer.
A few habits help:
- Check a live traffic map before you set out, every time.
- Plan meetings in the middle of the day where you can.
- Ask your host about the quickest way out of their estate.
- If you stay further east, such as Ajah, allow much more time.
Ride-hailing apps are easy to use in both areas. Walking is possible for short trips within parts of VI and Lekki Phase 1, but a car is usually easier. If you are going further, our guide to the Ajah to VI commute covers the route in more detail.
Before you book
Whichever area you choose, check these before you pay:
- the full total for your dates, with the cleaning fee and caution deposit shown;
- the check-in and check-out times;
- the house rules on visitors, parties and noise;
- power, water and internet;
- the last day you can cancel for free.
Never pay a stranger by bank transfer to “hold” a flat you have not seen. Our list of shortlet scam warning signs shows what to watch for.
Found your area? Find a shortlet you can book and compare the full price for your dates.
Own a flat in Lekki? Guests are searching for one like it. List your short let in Lekki, or list a short let in Victoria Island.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay in Lekki or Victoria Island?
It depends on your trip. Victoria Island suits business trips and evenings out, because offices, hotels and restaurants are close together. Lekki suits families, groups and longer stays, because homes tend to be larger and many sit in quieter estates.
Is Lekki Phase 1 part of Victoria Island?
No. Lekki Phase 1 is part of Lekki. It is the part of Lekki closest to Victoria Island, so it is a popular middle choice. Oniru sits between the two.
Is a shortlet in Victoria Island more expensive than in Lekki?
Not always. The price depends on the size of the home, the building, the exact street and your dates. Compare the same size of home for the same dates in both areas, and look at the full total, not just the night price.
Which is closer to the airport, Lekki or Victoria Island?
Neither is close. Both are on the Island side of Lagos, and Murtala Muhammed Airport is in Ikeja on the Mainland. If you have an early flight, think about a night near the airport instead.
How long does it take to get from Lekki to Victoria Island?
It depends on where in Lekki you start and the time of day. From Lekki Phase 1 it can be a short drive when roads are clear, but rush hours can make it much longer. Check a live traffic map before you leave.
Is Lekki good for a group or a party?
Lekki has more large homes, so it is often easier to find space for a group. Some hosts and estates do not allow parties or extra visitors, though. Read the house rules and ask the host before you book.
Can I book a Lekki or Victoria Island shortlet online?
Yes, where the host takes online bookings. Open a listing and pick your dates. If a booking box shows the price and a calendar, you can reserve and pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s fee is shown before you pay and is not refunded.
Related guides
Where to stay in Lagos with kids · Best areas for a shortlet in Lagos · Lagos Island or Mainland · Lekki vs Victoria Island for living · Shortlets near Lagos airport · Shortlet in Lagos: the renter's guide
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