Transportation

Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) sits well outside Dakar, about an hour or more by car from the city centre. Options into town include taxis, airport shuttles, ride-hailing apps such as Yango and Heetch, and hotel pick-ups. The TER commuter rail plus connections can also link the airport area with the city.

In Dakar, city transport includes the colourful shared minibuses known as car rapide, larger "Ndiaga Ndiaye" buses, taxis (yellow and black), ride-hailing apps and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. Informal minibuses have no fixed schedules; the BRT and TER are more structured. Keep small change and confirm routes with locals.

Dakar has no single nationwide transit smartcard. The modern TER commuter rail and the BRT use their own rechargeable travel cards or tickets bought at stations, while shared minibuses and taxis are paid in cash. Keep small change for informal transport, and top up a TER/BRT card if you use those lines often.

For travel between towns, shared taxis known as sept-places (seven-seaters) and long-distance buses run from the main garages (gares routières) to destinations across the country. They leave when full rather than on a fixed timetable. The TER commuter line links Dakar with Diamniadio. Set off early for long trips and confirm the route and price before departure.

Domestic flights connect Dakar with regional airports such as Cap Skirring and Ziguinchor in the Casamance, saving a long overland journey compared with the road or ferry. Schedules and frequencies can be limited, so book ahead. For shorter distances within reach of Dakar, road transport or the TER is usually simpler.

Allow plenty of time between the airport and central Dakar, as the road can take well over an hour with traffic. Keep small change for taxis and minibuses, and agree taxi fares before you get in. Ride-hailing apps and mobile money such as Wave and Orange Money make paying simpler. For long overland trips, set off early in the day.