Getting from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar

Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) is Dakar's main international airport, located 47 km southeast of the city center in Diass. This is not a quick ride — the drive takes 45-90 minutes depending on traffic, and Dakar traffic can be brutal. A taxi costs roughly 25,000-40,000 CFA ($40-65 USD), while a pre-booked private transfer runs 30,000-50,000 CFA ($50-85 USD).

DSS replaced the old Leopold Sedar Senghor Airport (DKR) as Dakar's international hub when it opened in 2017. It is a modern, spacious terminal — a very different experience from DKR — but the distance to the city is the trade-off. If your flight lands at the old DKR airport (now mostly domestic), check our separate DKR guide instead.

DSS is a modern terminal built to handle Dakar's growing international traffic. The architecture is spacious with high ceilings and working air conditioning — a pleasant contrast to the older DKR terminal. Immigration can still take time — 30-60 minutes when several long-haul flights arrive together — but the process is orderly.

Baggage claim is a large hall with multiple belts. Luggage from European flights typically appears within 20-30 minutes. Carts are available and free.

The arrivals hall has exchange bureaus, ATMs (SGBS, CBAO, BOA), and a few shops. Exchange rates at DSS are slightly worse than in Dakar but acceptable for getting taxi money. ATMs work with international Visa and Mastercard.

Once you exit through the arrivals doors, you enter a covered pickup area that is better organized than the old airport. There is a designated taxi area, though drivers still approach you. The overall atmosphere is calmer and more structured than DKR.

Private transfer (pre-booked): A driver meets you in the arrivals hall or at the exit with your name sign. The car is typically a newer sedan or SUV with working AC. For a 45-90 minute drive, the comfort difference compared to a random taxi is significant. The price is fixed and confirmed before your trip.

TER train (Train Express Regional): This is the notable option at DSS that did not exist at DKR. The TER connects the airport to central Dakar in about 45 minutes with stops including Dakar station. Trains run several times daily and cost approximately 2,500-3,500 CFA ($4-6 USD) depending on class. The station is accessible from the terminal. However, trains do not run 24 hours, frequency is limited, and you still need transport from Dakar station to your final hotel.

Ride-hailing apps: Yango and Heetch operate from DSS but the 47 km distance means fares are substantial — often 15,000-25,000 CFA. Wait times for a ride-hailing car to reach the airport can be 20-40 minutes since few drivers hang around DSS. Best used if you have patience and a working local SIM.

Airport shuttle buses: AFTU buses connect DSS to Dakar. They are cheap (around 3,000-5,000 CFA) but slow, making multiple stops, and can take 1.5-2.5 hours to reach the city. Not practical when tired with luggage.

All prices in West African CFA franc (XOF). Roughly 600 CFA = $1 USD as of 2026.

| Destination | Taxi (negotiated) | Private transfer | TER train | |---|---|---|---| | Plateau (city center) | 25,000-40,000 CFA | 30,000-50,000 CFA | 2,500-3,500 CFA | | Almadies / Ngor | 25,000-40,000 CFA | 30,000-50,000 CFA | N/A (train + taxi) | | Saly / Somone (coast) | 15,000-25,000 CFA | 20,000-35,000 CFA | N/A | | Mbour | 15,000-25,000 CFA | 20,000-35,000 CFA | N/A | | Thies | 8,000-15,000 CFA | 12,000-22,000 CFA | N/A |

Note: Saly, Somone, and Mbour are actually closer to DSS than Dakar is (30-40 minutes), so transfers there are cheaper and faster. If your destination is on the Petite Cote, DSS is actually well-located.

Many international flights from Europe and the Middle East arrive at DSS between 10 PM and 3 AM. The terminal stays open and functional for these arrivals. Exchange bureaus may close but ATMs work 24 hours.

Taxis are available at night but in smaller numbers, and fares go up — expect 35,000-50,000 CFA or more to Dakar. The TER train does not run late at night, and shuttle buses stop service in the evening.

The highway from DSS to Dakar is a modern toll road (Autoroute de l'Avenir / AIBD highway) that is well-lit and in good condition. At night with no traffic, the drive takes 40-50 minutes. This is actually the best time to make the trip in terms of speed, though the toll (about 2,600 CFA for a car) still applies.

For late arrivals, a pre-booked transfer eliminates the risk of finding fewer taxis and inflated prices at 2 AM.

DSS is better equipped than DKR for families. The terminal has more space, better bathrooms, and a less chaotic exit experience. Luggage carts are readily available.

For the 47 km drive to Dakar, vehicle comfort matters more than at DKR where the ride is just 4 km. A cramped taxi with questionable AC for an hour in Senegalese heat is not pleasant with children. A pre-booked minivan with working AC and enough space is worth the extra cost.

Child seats are not available in taxis. Request them through your transfer provider at least 48 hours in advance. Availability is limited but better than it used to be as the market has matured around the new airport.

The TER train is family-friendly — spacious, air-conditioned, and a novelty for children — but you still need to get from Dakar station to your hotel afterward, which adds another step with bags and kids.

DSS has a single terminal with clearly marked arrivals exits. Pre-booked drivers wait in the designated pickup zone outside the arrivals hall. The area is more organized than DKR — there is a parking structure and a pickup lane.

Some transfer services offer meet-and-greet inside the terminal at the arrivals gate. This costs more but means someone is there as soon as you clear customs, which can be helpful if you are unfamiliar with the airport.

Taxis are found in the designated taxi area to the right of the arrivals exit. There is more structure here than at the old airport, with a quasi-official queue, though drivers still approach independently.

The TER station is connected to the terminal and signposted. Follow signs for "Gare TER" from inside the terminal.

Choose a taxi if: You speak French, you are comfortable negotiating, and you do not mind the uncertainty of vehicle quality for the 45-90 minute drive.

Choose a pre-booked transfer if: You arrive late at night, you are traveling with family, you have heavy luggage, this is your first time in Senegal, or you simply want someone reliable waiting for you after a long international flight. For the 47 km drive from DSS, the comfort and certainty of a transfer justify the premium.

Choose ride-hailing if: You have a local SIM, you do not mind waiting 20-40 minutes for a car, and you want app-based fare transparency.

Skip the shuttle bus unless: You are extremely budget-conscious and have no time pressure. The 1.5-2.5 hour ride with stops is draining after a flight.