How do you get to Dakar?
Getting There4.9/10Harder to reach than about 55% of cities
- Main airport
- Blaise Diagne International Airport
Updated September 2026 · Sources cited: en.wikipedia.org, remitly.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Airport is 43 km from downtown—budget 1-2 hours for transfer depending on traffic
- Express shuttle bus is most economical option; official taxis require negotiating fare in advance
- Use official taxi dispatcher outside arrivals; ignore touts inside terminal
- Cash in XOF is essential; standard yellow-black taxis do not accept cards or use meters
- Ride-hailing apps (Heetch, Yango, Yassir) offer fixed prices and avoid negotiation hassle
- TER rail extension to airport expected 2026—check current status before travel
- Ferry to Gorée Island is accessible day trip from port; overnight ferry to Casamance requires advance booking especially during holidays
- When using ATMs or card payments abroad, choose to be charged in CFA francs for fairer rates
Ferry Connections
Chaloupe De Gorée Ferry
- Type
- Day trip accessible
- Destination
- Gorée Island
- Travel Time
- Short crossing from Dakar port
- Notes
- Regular service from downtown Dakar port
Aline Sitoe Diatta Overnight Ferry
- Operator
- COSAMA
- Frequency
- Twice weekly
- Destination
- Ziguinchor (Casamance region, south)
- Cost Pullman Seat
- F CFA 15,900
- Vehicle Transport
- F CFA 63,000
- Cost Two Person Cabin
- F CFA 30,900
- Notes
- Overnight journey, cabins sell out weeks ahead during holidays, book in advance through COSAMA
Day Trip Destinations
Gorée Island
- Type
- Island day trip
- Transport
- Ferry from downtown Dakar port
ÎLe De La Madeleine
- Type
- Island accessible
- Transport
- Short boat ride from downtown
Airport Ground Transport
Approximately 1 Hour to City Center
- Cost
- F CFA 6,000
- Option
- Express shuttle bus (Dakar Dem Dikk Route 8)
- Notes
- Departs 1 hour after flight arrival, operates 24/7, cheapest option
1.5 to 2 Hours to City Center
- Cost
- F CFA 3,000
- Option
- Local buses
- Notes
- Depart every 15-30 minutes during day, can be crowded, luggage handling difficult
Approximately 1 Hour to City Center
- Cost
- F CFA 12,000
- Option
- Taxi from official rank
- Notes
- Use official taxi dispatcher, negotiate fare beforehand, yellow-black taxis, cash only (XOF)
Approximately 1 Hour
- Option
- Ride-hailing apps (Heetch, Yango, Yassir)
- Notes
- Fixed prices shown before booking, legally authorized as of September 2025
Planned 45 Minutes When Phase 2 Complete (Expected 2026)
- Option
- Train Express Regional (TER) - future option
- Notes
- Extension from Diamniadio to airport under construction as of August 2023. Currently nearest TER station is Diamniadio, 18 km west (25 minutes by car)
Airport
- Code
- DSS
- Name
- Blaise Diagne International Airport
- Distance From Center
- 43 km east
- International Connectivity
- Direct flights from Europe (France, Spain, Germany), United States, Canada, and Middle East. Hub airports include Abidjan and Cap Skirring
- Description
- Primary international gateway for Dakar, serving Africa-Europe, Middle East, and US routes
Rail Connections
Intercity Rail
- Name
- Dakar-Niger Railway
- Route
- Connects Dakar to Bamako (Mali), covers 1,287 km with 641 km in Mali
- Status
- Freight-focused; passenger service suspended since 2009
- Notes
- Line in poor condition; Senegal government working on rehabilitation to Tambacounda
Domestic Dakar Network
- Name
- Train Express Regional Dakar (TER)
- Status
- Operational Phase 1 (Dakar to Diamniadio since December 2021)
- Ticketing
- Rechargeable 'Carte Sama TER' card at stations
- Current Coverage
- 14 stations, daily ridership approximately 50,000
- Planned Airport Extension
- Expected 2026, will connect airport directly to downtown in 45 minutes
Intercity Ground Transport
- Bus Options
- Dakar Dem Dikk operates interurban routes to approximately 20 Senegalese cities; private minibuses available
- International Buses
- Dakar-Banjul (Gambia) service inaugurated January 2020 via Dakar Dem Dikk
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Dakar
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.