• Nothing Found

How to Get From Dakar Airport to the City Centre

Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is a booming cultural and economic port city on the westernmost point of mainland Africa. Located in French-speaking West Africa, Dakar is well connected to Western Europe. Dakar has bustling markets, various cultural institutions that highlight the anthropology and art of Africa, and beaches where you can relax in the sun or catch some waves on a surfboard. And at night, you can find locals and visitors dancing to lively local mbalax music.

Dakar is around 60 kilometres from the Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS). You can make the journey from Dakar airport to downtown Dakar by taxi or bus. Taking an airport taxi is the safest and most comfortable means of transport. The trip takes around an hour by taxi, and the fare is estimated to cost around €18.40 (CFA 12,000) to €30.60 (CFA 20,000). Several bus lines run from Blaise Diagne Airport to Dakar. The express shuttle bus runs 24/7 and costs €9.00 (CFA 6,000). You can also take a 404 bus for €1.50 (CFA 1,000) during the day.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Dakar at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €18.40 60min 24/7
Bus €3.00 90min 07:00–21:00

How to get from Dakar airport to Dakar City Centre by taxi

Taking a taxi is the quickest and safest way to go from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Dakar. Standard taxis are yellow and can be found just outside the airport terminal building. Taxis are available 24/7. The trip from Dakar airport to the city takes around an hour. Taxis in Dakar usually don’t use a meter. Instead, the fare is negotiated with the driver before the journey starts. Fare is estimated to cost €18.40 (CFA 12,000) to €30.60 (CFA 20,000). For a competitive flat rate with an English-speaking driver, you can also book a transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Taxi fare from Dakar airport to Dakar City Centre

Generally, Dakar taxis don’t base taxi fares on a taxi meter. Rather, the fare is negotiated before starting the drive with the taxi driver. Fare can be estimated to cost around €0.50 (CFA 300) per kilometre, but you may have to do some haggling to agree upon the cost of the fare. Taxi fare from Blaise Diagne airport to Dakar is estimated to cost €18.40 (CFA 12,000) to €30.60 (CFA 20,000), excluding toll fees. At night, the fare will cost a little more. Another option is to book your Dakar airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups for a set flat rate with no hidden fees.

Cost

€18.40 (CFA 12,000) to €30.60 (CFA 20,000)

Trip Duration

60 MIN

Fares may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis from Dakar airport to Dakar city centre are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi?

Dakar taxis are easily recognizable by their yellow colour. After collecting your luggage, you can find taxis just outside of the main Dakar airport terminal building.

Convenience

Taking a taxi is the safest and most convenient way to reach Dakar from Blaise Diagne Airport. A taxi can take you directly from the airport to your accommodation, so you won’t waste any precious vacation time waiting for a bus. Your belongings can safely be stored in the trunk, and you can relax and enjoy the ride.

Editor’s Note

Unless you book your taxi in advance, you will need cash to pay your taxi fare. Be sure to have some small bills with you so that you can make the correct change to give your driver.

Useful Tips

If you have a great driver, take their number so you can request a ride with the same person again.
Have directions ready to your destination, just to be sure you are going the right way and are taking the best route.

How to get from Dakar airport to Dakar City Centre by Bus

You can also reach Dakar from Blaise Diagne Airport by bus. Several bus lines service the airport. You can take an express shuttle bus 24/7. The bus departs from the airport an hour after the flight lands. The journey takes around an hour, and the bus fare costs €9.00 (CFA 6000). A cheaper option during the day is to take the local Dakar Dem Dikk 404A bus or 404B bus. The local 404 buses are available daily from 7:00 to 21:00, and they run around every 15 to 30 minutes. The journey takes around an hour and 30 minutes. A ticket for one of the 404 buses costs €1.50 (CFA 1000).

How much is fare for the bus from the Dakar airport to Dakar City Centre?

The express bus costs €9.00 (CFA 6000) for a single ticket. A ticket for the local 404 bus costs €1.50 (CFA 1000). Tickets can be purchased on the bus with the local currency.

Cost

Express Shuttle: €9.00 (CFA 6000). 404 bus: €1.50 (CFA 1000)

Trip Duration

1 hr to 1 hr 30 min

There is a wait time of up to 30 minutes for the 404 bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Express shuttle buses are available 24/7. The 404 buses are available from 7:00 to 21:00.

Where can I find the bus?

The express shuttle and local 404 buses can be found just outside of the main terminal building.

Convenience

The bus is the slowest mode of transportation, but also the cheapest. It may be a little tricky to board the bus with large luggage, and the buses can be crowded. Also, you may have to do some additional walking or take another mode of transportation to reach your destination.

Editor’s Note

Several other buses also service Blaise Diagne International airport. You can check the location of your destination and use a journey planner such as Moovit to find the best bus route for you.

Useful Tips

Your hotel may also offer a shuttle transfer from the airport.
The cost of a ticket for the local buses can vary depending on where you hop on the bus and where you get off.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Dakar airport to the city centre?

The best way to reach Dakar city centre is by taxi. The journey takes around an hour and costs around €18.40 (CFA 12,000) to €30.60 (CFA 20,000). You can also take an express shuttle bus or a local bus to get to the city centre. The express shuttle bus departs from the airport an hour after the flight lands. The journey takes around an hour and costs €9.00 (CFA 6000). The local buses depart every 15 to 30 minutes from the airport during the day, and the trip takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets for the local bus cost €1.50 (CFA 1000).

What’s the cost of a taxi from Dakar airport to downtown Dakar?

Unless you book your taxi in advance, taxi fare is negotiated with the driver before starting the trip. Taxi fares can roughly be estimated to cost €0.50 (CFA 300). The trip from the airport to Dakar is estimated at around €18.40 (CFA 12,000) to €30.60 (CFA 20,000). For a set rate with no hidden charges, you can also pre-book your ride with a professional, English-speaking Welcome Pickups driver.

What’s the distance from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Dakar city centre?

The Blaise Diagne airport is about 60 kilometres east of Dakar. The A1 highway connects the airport and the city. The trip by taxi takes around an hour.

Was this helpful?

Pre-book online