Senegal offers a vibrant blend of West African culture, French colonial heritage, and stunning Atlantic coastlines. From the bustling markets of Dakar to the historic Gorée Island and the pink waters of Lake Retba, this welcoming nation captivates visitors with its warm hospitality and rich traditions.
- Public
- Dakar has colorful car rapide minibuses and Dakar Dem Dikk buses covering most routes for $0.30-0.50; the TER regional express train connects the airport to central Dakar with 14 stations
- Taxi
- Yellow taxis abundant but meters rarely used; negotiate price before entering; Yango and InDriver apps offer fare transparency and are strongly recommended
- Rental
- Car rental useful for Saly, Saint-Louis, and rural Senegal where public transport is patchy; driving in Dakar is chaotic but main highways are well-maintained
- Walking
- Plateau and Almadies are walkable with reasonable pavements; Medina and Sacré-Coeur less pedestrian-friendly; extreme heat makes walking tiring in dry season
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Express shuttle bus: $9 (6,000 CFA), 1 hour, 24/7 service
- Shuttle
- Local bus 404: $1.50 (1,000 CFA), 1.5 hours, daytime only
- Bus
- Regional Express Train (TER): $5-8, 45 minutes to Dakar, 14 stations
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Local buses (car rapide and Dakar Dem Dikk) operate throughout city. Car rapides are colorful minibuses, often crowded, fare $0.30-0.50 (200-300 CFA). DDD buses more reliable, air-conditioned, fare $0.50-1 (300-600 CFA). Routes not always clear to tourists.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Yellow taxis abundant but meters rarely used. Base fare around $1.50 (1,000 CFA), negotiate before departure. Typical ride within Dakar $3-6 (2,000-4,000 CFA). Shared taxis (taxi clando) cheaper but pick up multiple passengers. Night rates 20-30% higher.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Several bus companies operate intercity routes. Dakar-Saint-Louis $8-12 (5,000-7,500 CFA), 4-5 hours. Dakar-Saly/Mbour $4-6 (2,500-3,500 CFA), 1.5-2 hours. Senegal Dem Dikk and Ndiaga Ndiaye buses most common. Sept-place (shared taxis) faster but more expensive. Depart when full, not on schedule.
Flights
Limited domestic flights. Dakar to Cap Skirring (Casamance) operated by Air Senegal, around $80-120 one-way, 1 hour flight. Useful for reaching Casamance without driving through Gambia.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Blaise Diagne International Airport
From centre: 52 km from central Dakar
Options: Express shuttle bus: $9 (6,000 CFA), 1 hour, 24/7 service; Local bus 404: $1.50 (1,000 CFA), 1.5 hours, daytime only; Regional Express Train (TER): $5-8, 45 minutes to Dakar, 14 stations; Taxi: $18-30 (12,000-20,000 CFA), 1 hour, negotiate before departure; Private transfer: $35-50, pre-book recommended
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yango
Uber-equivalent ride-hailing app widely used in Dakar with fare transparency and cashless payment
InDriver
Ride-hailing app where you can negotiate the fare directly with the driver — popular alternative to Yango in Dakar
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Yango or InDriver app before arrival — they work like Uber with upfront pricing and are safer than street taxis
The TER regional train is the cheapest and most reliable airport transfer ($5-8 vs $18-30 by taxi)
Negotiate taxi fares before getting in — never get into a taxi without agreeing on a price first
Sept-place shared taxis depart from designated garages routières; Dakar's main one is at Pompiers for northern routes and Liberté for southern
Car rapide minibuses have no fixed stops — flag them down and shout your destination; you pay on exit
For day trips to Saly, Bandia, or Joal-Fadiouth, renting a car with driver is often better value than organized tours