# Dakar Airport Transfer Guide (DSS) 本文件提供中文说明与当前英文指南原文。详细机场内容为英文，并非经过核实的完整中文翻译；请以实时预订流程确认价格、可用性及服务条款。 Blaise Diagne International Airport to Dakar city centre: the 47 km reality, how unmetered taxi fares work, why the TER does not help yet, and transfers. **Airport:** DSS **City:** Dakar **Country:** Senegal **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss **Last updated:** 2026-07-25 Prices and transport schedules in this editorial guide are indicative. Confirm current public transport fares with the operator. Current transfer prices, availability and terms are shown in the live booking flow. ## Main Guide ### Quick answer 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. Taxis here are unmetered and the fare is negotiated, so agree it before you set off; a pre-booked private transfer fixes the price in advance instead. 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. ### What actually happens after landing 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. ### Transport options explained honestly **Airport taxis:** Taxis at DSS are somewhat more organized than at DKR. There is a semi-official taxi counter near the exit where you can get fare guidance, though drivers outside may offer different prices. Vehicles are a mix — some newer, some older. Taxis at DSS have no meters — the fare is whatever you and the driver agree before you get in. That means there is no official tariff to quote you, and any figure you read in advance is a guess at someone else's negotiation. Agree the price and confirm whether the motorway toll is included **before** you load your bags. The 47 km distance means this is not a cheap ride. **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):** **The TER does not reach the airport yet.** Senegal's Train Express Regional currently runs **Dakar to Diamniadio only** — 13 stations over 36 km, per SEN-TER, the authority that runs it. The 19 km extension out to Blaise Diagne airport is built and tested but **not yet in service**; it is expected to open in September 2026, which would take the line to 55 km. Until it does, there is no train from the terminal and no 'Gare TER' to walk to at DSS. Check whether the extension has opened before you count on it. If and when it opens, it would be the cheapest way into Dakar by a wide margin, but you would still need onward transport from the city-centre station to your hotel. **Ride-hailing apps:** Yango and Heetch operate from DSS. They at least quote you a price in the app before you commit, which unmetered taxis do not. The catch is supply: few drivers wait around an airport 47 km from the city, so the wait for a car to come out to you can be long. Best used if you have patience and a working local SIM. **Airport shuttle buses:** Dakar Dem Dikk, the public operator, runs bus links between DSS and Dakar, and they are far cheaper than any car. They are also slow, make multiple stops, and take much longer than the highway drive. Check demdikk.sn for current routes, times and fares. Not practical when tired with luggage. ### Realistic pricing expectations Prices are in West African CFA francs (XOF). The CFA franc is pegged to the euro at a fixed **655.957 XOF = 1 EUR**, which is the one number here that will not move. Taxis at DSS have no meters — the fare is whatever you and the driver agree before you get in. That means there is no official tariff to quote you, and any figure you read in advance is a guess at someone else's negotiation. Agree the price and confirm whether the motorway toll is included **before** you load your bags. So the taxi column below is deliberately blank: publishing a range would just anchor your negotiation to a number we cannot stand behind. | Destination | Taxi (negotiated, no meter) | Private transfer | |---|---|---| | Plateau (city center) | Agree before you go | Fixed at booking | | Almadies / Ngor | Agree before you go | Fixed at booking | | Saly / Somone (coast) | Agree before you go | Fixed at booking | | Mbour | Agree before you go | Fixed at booking | | Thies | Agree before you go | Fixed at booking | What is worth knowing is the **relative** distance. Saly, Somone and Mbour are actually closer to DSS than Dakar is (30-40 minutes), and Thies is closer still, so any fare to those should be well below a Dakar fare. If your destination is on the Petite Cote, DSS is well-located and you should not be paying Dakar money to reach it. ### Late night arrivals 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 with fewer cars and one tired passenger the negotiation runs against you — expect to pay more than you would by day. There is no train from the airport at any hour, and the buses stop 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 still applies — settle who is paying it before you leave. For late arrivals, a pre-booked transfer eliminates the risk of finding fewer taxis and inflated prices at 2 AM. ### Families and luggage 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 not an option from the airport — the line stops at Diamniadio and the airport extension has not opened yet. ### Where you meet the driver 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. There is no TER station at the terminal. The line currently ends at Diamniadio, well short of the airport, so do not go looking for signs to a "Gare TER" here. ### Decision helper **Do not plan around the TER:** it does not reach the airport. The line runs Dakar to Diamniadio only, and the extension to DSS has not entered service. **Choose a taxi if:** You speak French, you are comfortable negotiating an unmetered fare, 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 bus unless:** You are extremely budget-conscious and have no time pressure. A slow ride with multiple stops is draining after a flight. ## Summary Blaise Diagne is a modern airport that serves Dakar well — except for the 47 km distance to the city. That distance shapes every transport decision you make. If you are going to the Petite Cote, the location is actually convenient. If you are going to Dakar, accept that the transfer will take time, choose the option that fits your budget and comfort needs, and plan accordingly. Do not plan around the TER: the line stops at Diamniadio and the airport extension has not opened yet, so your realistic choices are a negotiated taxi, a ride-hailing app, a slow bus, or a pre-booked transfer. The era of the 15-minute ride from old DKR is over for international arrivals. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How far is Blaise Diagne Airport from Dakar city center?** 47 km. The drive takes 45-90 minutes depending on traffic. At night or early morning with no traffic, it can be done in 40-50 minutes on the toll highway. **Q: Is DSS the same as DKR airport?** No. DSS (Blaise Diagne) is Dakar's new international airport, opened in 2017, located 47 km from the city. DKR (Leopold Sedar Senghor) is the old airport, just 4 km from the center, now used mainly for domestic and regional flights. Check your ticket to confirm which airport your flight uses. **Q: Is there a train from DSS airport to Dakar?** Not yet. **The TER does not reach the airport yet.** Senegal's Train Express Regional currently runs **Dakar to Diamniadio only** — 13 stations over 36 km, per SEN-TER, the authority that runs it. The 19 km extension out to Blaise Diagne airport is built and tested but **not yet in service**; it is expected to open in September 2026, which would take the line to 55 km. Until it does, there is no train from the terminal and no 'Gare TER' to walk to at DSS. Check whether the extension has opened before you count on it. **Q: How much is a taxi from DSS to Dakar?** Taxis at DSS have no meters — the fare is whatever you and the driver agree before you get in. That means there is no official tariff to quote you, and any figure you read in advance is a guess at someone else's negotiation. Agree the price and confirm whether the motorway toll is included **before** you load your bags. Nighttime fares run higher, because there are fewer cars and less competition. If you want a number before you land, use a ride-hailing app, which quotes in advance, or book a transfer, which fixes the price at booking. **Q: Is there a toll road from DSS to Dakar?** Yes. The route from DSS to Dakar is a modern toll motorway (Autoroute AIBD). Pre-booked transfers normally include the toll in the quoted price. Taxi drivers may ask you to pay it separately on top of the agreed fare — clarify this before departure, because it is a common source of argument at the other end. **Q: Can I get a SIM card at DSS airport?** Yes. Orange and Free Senegal have kiosks in the arrivals hall. You will need your passport for registration. Coverage is good along the highway and in Dakar. **Q: What if I am going to Saly or the Petite Cote, not Dakar?** DSS is actually closer to Saly, Somone, and Mbour (30-40 minutes) than to Dakar. Fares to these destinations should be correspondingly lower than a Dakar run — a useful thing to know when you are negotiating. This is one case where the new airport's location works in your favor. **Q: Is there Wi-Fi at DSS airport?** Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal and generally works, though speeds vary. It is sufficient for messaging and checking email but may struggle with video calls. **Q: How early should I arrive for a departing flight from DSS?** Allow 3 hours before international departures. The drive from Dakar can take up to 90 minutes in heavy traffic, and security plus check-in queues can be long during peak departure times. **Q: Is Uber available at DSS?** Uber does not operate in Senegal. Yango and Heetch are the available ride-hailing apps. Download them before your trip and get a local SIM with data to use them. ## Arriving at Blaise Diagne Airport late at night **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/late-night DSS receives the majority of Dakar's international flights, and many from Europe and the Middle East arrive between 10 PM and 3 AM. Late-night arrivals are common here, and the 47 km distance to the city makes preparation more important than at a closer airport. ## The terminal at night DSS stays fully operational for scheduled arrivals. Immigration is staffed, baggage belts run, and ATMs work 24 hours. Some shops and the exchange bureau may close late, but the terminal itself functions normally. The modern design means it stays well-lit and air-conditioned. ## Taxi availability Taxis are available at DSS throughout the night for scheduled arrivals, but the numbers drop significantly after midnight. Where daytime arrivals find 20-30 taxis, a 2 AM arrival might see 8-10. This means less competition and higher prices. Taxis here are unmetered, so the night fare is whatever you can agree — and your leverage shrinks when there are few cars and you are the only person looking. Expect to pay more than a daytime run, and settle the motorway toll as part of the deal rather than at the barrier. ## There is no train from this airport Not late at night, and not during the day either. Senegal's TER currently runs **Dakar to Diamniadio only** — 13 stations over 36 km, per SEN-TER, the authority that runs it. The 19 km extension out to Blaise Diagne airport is built and tested but **not yet in service**, with an expected opening in September 2026. Check whether it has opened before your trip, but for now the train is not part of a DSS arrival at any hour. ## The highway at night The good news: the toll highway from DSS to Dakar is modern, well-maintained, and has lighting along most of its length. At night with no traffic, the drive takes 40-50 minutes — significantly faster than during the day. The road is smooth, and the toll booths are staffed 24 hours. The toll is a real cost on top of the fare. Make sure it is included in what you agree with the driver, or confirm you will pay it separately — sorting this out at the barrier at 2 AM is nobody's idea of fun. Once you exit the highway and enter Dakar proper, streets are quieter at night. The last stretch to your hotel is faster than it would be during daytime traffic. ## Safety at night The DSS highway is safe at night — it is a major toll road with regular patrol. Dakar itself is relatively safe by regional standards. The main issue is not safety but logistics: finding a good taxi at 2 AM and negotiating a fair price when tired. Police checkpoints on the highway are possible at night. They are routine. The driver handles the interaction. Keep your passport accessible. ## Ride-hailing at night Yango and Heetch availability near DSS drops to near zero after midnight. The airport is 47 km from the city — ride-hailing drivers have no reason to be in the area at 2 AM unless specifically called, and even then the wait could be 30-60 minutes. ## Recommended approach Pre-book a transfer. For late-night arrivals at DSS, this is not just a convenience recommendation — it is a practical necessity. Your driver will be waiting regardless of the hour. The price is fixed at booking, the vehicle is confirmed, and you avoid negotiating an unmetered fare against a thin supply of taxis at 2 AM. After a long flight, facing a 47 km drive to your bed, that certainty is most of what you are paying for. ## Taxi vs private transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/taxi-vs-transfer The 47 km distance from DSS to Dakar changes the taxi-vs-transfer equation compared to most airports. This is not a quick hop — it is a 45-90 minute highway drive where vehicle comfort and reliability matter. ## The taxi experience DSS has a more organized taxi area than the old DKR airport. There is a semi-official counter where you can get fare guidance, though the final price is still negotiated with the driver. Taxis at DSS have no meters — the fare is whatever you and the driver agree before you get in. That means there is no official tariff to quote you, and any figure you read in advance is a guess at someone else's negotiation. Agree the price and confirm whether the motorway toll is included **before** you load your bags. Vehicle quality is mixed. Some taxis serving DSS are newer and well-maintained. Others are the same aging sedans that work the city streets. For a 45-90 minute ride, the AC and seat condition matter — sitting in a hot, uncomfortable car in Senegalese heat for over an hour is draining. The highway itself is modern and smooth. The challenge is Dakar traffic once you leave the highway — the last 10-15 km through the city can take as long as the first 35 km on the toll road. ## The private transfer experience Your driver waits at arrivals with your name. The car is a newer sedan or SUV with confirmed working AC. You get in, drive the highway, and arrive at your hotel with no surprises. The price is agreed at booking rather than in the arrivals hall — which, at an airport with no meters, is the substantive difference. For a 47 km drive, the extras matter: water bottles, phone charger, a driver who knows the best route through Dakar traffic at your specific arrival time. Good transfer services provide these without being asked. ## What about the TER train It is not on the table. **The TER does not reach the airport yet.** Senegal's Train Express Regional currently runs **Dakar to Diamniadio only** — 13 stations over 36 km, per SEN-TER, the authority that runs it. The 19 km extension out to Blaise Diagne airport is built and tested but **not yet in service**; it is expected to open in September 2026. Until it does, there is no train from the terminal. Check whether the extension has opened before you count on it. If it opens it will be the cheapest way into Dakar by a distance and traffic-proof, but you would still need to get from the city-centre station to your hotel with your bags. ## Comparison | Option | How the price is set | Time | Comfort | |---|---|---|---| | TER train | Not available from DSS — line ends at Diamniadio | — | — | | Dem Dikk bus | Published fare — check demdikk.sn | Much longer, multiple stops | Basic | | Taxi | Negotiated, no meter | 45-90 min | Variable | | Ride-hailing | Quoted in the app before you accept | 45-90 min + wait for a car | Variable | | Private transfer | Fixed at booking | 45-90 min | High | ## Who should choose what A **taxi** works for French-speaking travelers comfortable negotiating an unmetered fare who want door-to-door service and are happy to haggle after a flight. **Ride-hailing** suits anyone who wants to see the price before agreeing to it, and who can wait for a car to come out to the airport. A **private transfer** is best for night arrivals, families, travelers with heavy luggage, first-time visitors, or anyone who has been traveling all day and wants zero friction between the airport and their bed. Over a drive this long, and with no meter to fall back on, the fixed price is doing real work. ## Arriving at Blaise Diagne Airport with family and kids **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/family-and-kids DSS is a modern terminal and more family-friendly than the old DKR airport. The challenge for families is the same as for everyone else — the 47 km drive to Dakar, which takes 45-90 minutes and demands a comfortable vehicle. ## The terminal Blaise Diagne is spacious and air-conditioned. Compared to many West African airports, it feels modern and well-maintained. Bathrooms are clean and functional. There is no dedicated baby changing room, but the space in the restrooms is adequate. A few food and drink outlets are available in the arrivals area. Luggage carts are free and readily available. The terminal layout is straightforward — a single flow from immigration through baggage claim to arrivals exit. ## The drive with children The highway portion of the drive is smooth and modern — similar to a European motorway. Children will be fine for this stretch. The challenge comes in the final 10-15 km through Dakar traffic, which can be slow and chaotic during rush hours. The total drive time can reach 90 minutes in heavy traffic. For a drive this long in Senegalese heat, AC is essential. This is the strongest argument for a pre-booked transfer over a random taxi — you know the AC will work. An hour in a hot car with children after an international flight is miserable. ## Child seats Taxis at DSS do not have child seats. For a private transfer, request child seats at least 48 hours in advance. The market around DSS is more developed than at the old airport, so availability has improved, but confirm the specific seat type you need. If you are bringing your own travel car seat, it will work in any vehicle. This remains the most reliable approach. ## Vehicle space A family of four with standard luggage (2 large cases, carry-ons, stroller) will be tight in a standard taxi sedan for a 47 km drive. A minivan transfer is strongly recommended, and because it is quoted at booking you will know the cost before you land. The extra space for luggage, legroom for children, and the ability to move around slightly during the drive make a real difference. ## There is no train option from this airport Worth stating plainly, because plenty of guides still suggest otherwise: Senegal's TER runs **Dakar to Diamniadio only**, and the extension out to Blaise Diagne airport is **not yet in service** (SEN-TER, the authority that runs the line; expected to open September 2026). You cannot catch a train from the terminal with your family. Check whether it has opened before your trip, but plan on a car. ## Recommended approach Book a minivan transfer with child seats if needed. The 47 km drive is too long to gamble on taxi comfort, and with no meter at the rank there is no cheap fallback to fall back on. Confirm the vehicle type, AC, and child seat availability in advance. If budget is genuinely tight, Dakar Dem Dikk runs buses to the city — check demdikk.sn — but with children, bags and a stroller it is a hard afternoon. ## How much does it cost to get from DSS Airport to Dakar **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/cost-to-city Blaise Diagne International Airport is 47 km from Dakar city center, making it one of the longer airport-to-city transfers in West Africa. The cost reflects this distance. Prices are in West African CFA francs (XOF), which are pegged to the euro at a fixed 655.957 XOF = 1 EUR. ## Taxi fares Taxis at DSS have no meters — the fare is whatever you and the driver agree before you get in. That means there is no official tariff to quote you, and any figure you read in advance is a guess at someone else's negotiation. Agree the price and confirm whether the motorway toll is included **before** you load your bags. We are not going to publish a range here. An unmetered fare has no authority behind it, and printing a number would only anchor your bargaining to something we cannot verify. What we can tell you is the shape of it: - **Dakar (Plateau, Almadies, Ngor)** is the long run — 47 km and up, plus city traffic at the end. - **Thies** and the **Petite Cote** (Saly, Somone, Mbour) are considerably closer to DSS than Dakar is, so those fares should come in well under a Dakar fare. If a driver quotes you the same for Saly as for Dakar, that is your signal. - **The motorway toll** is a real, separate cost. Some drivers include it, some spring it on you at the barrier. Settle it up front. If you want a number before you commit, use a ride-hailing app — it quotes in the app — or book a transfer, which fixes the price at booking. ## TER train **The TER does not reach the airport yet.** Senegal's Train Express Regional currently runs **Dakar to Diamniadio only** — 13 stations over 36 km, per SEN-TER, the authority that runs it. The 19 km extension out to Blaise Diagne airport is built and tested but **not yet in service**; it is expected to open in September 2026. Until it does, there is no train from the terminal. Check whether the extension has opened before you count on it. This matters because a lot of travel advice about DSS — including, until recently, ours — tells you to walk to a station at the terminal and catch a train into Dakar for pocket change. You cannot. When the extension opens it should be dramatically cheaper than any car, and you would still need onward transport from the city-centre station to your hotel. Until then it is not part of your decision. ## Pre-booked private transfers A transfer is quoted and agreed at booking, which at this airport is the whole point: it is the only option where you know the number before you are standing in the arrivals hall at 1 AM negotiating in French. A proper booking includes the toll, meet-and-greet, luggage assistance and a guaranteed vehicle with working AC, with no hidden charges. Confirm the toll is included when you book. ## Ride-hailing apps Yango and Heetch both work at DSS, and their real advantage is that the app shows you a price before you accept — which an unmetered taxi never will. The challenge is availability: few ride-hailing drivers position themselves at an airport 47 km from the city, so a car may have to come out to you, and the app price rises with demand at peak arrival times. Have a local SIM with data before you rely on this. ## Buses Dakar Dem Dikk, the public bus operator, runs services between DSS and Dakar. This is the cheapest way in by a wide margin, and the trade-off is exactly what you would expect: multiple stops and a much longer journey than the motorway drive. Check demdikk.sn for current routes, times and fares before you plan around it. ## The toll road factor The highway from DSS to Dakar is a modern toll road, and the toll is a real cost on top of the drive. Pre-booked transfers normally include it. With a taxi it is the single most common thing to argue about at the far end, so confirm before you depart whether the agreed fare covers it. In a ride-hailing car it is typically handled through the app. ## Bottom line There is no train from this airport, so ignore any guide that offers you one. Your realistic choices are a Dem Dikk bus (cheapest, slowest), a ride-hailing app (quotes in advance, but you may wait for a car), an unmetered taxi (negotiate hard, settle the toll first), or a pre-booked transfer (most expensive, but the price and the car are fixed before you land). For a 47 km drive after a long-haul flight — especially a night arrival — that last certainty is what most people are actually buying. ## Published Guide Pages - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/late-night - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/taxi-vs-transfer - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/family-and-kids - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/dss/cost-to-city ## Booking and Support Search: https://www.airporttransferportal.com/search?airport=DSS Airport Transfer Portal is a marketplace; local operators fulfil the transfer. Availability depends on the route, travel date and eligible operator. Phone: +44 20 4538 9927 — UK office hours (London local time). WhatsApp: +44 7828 732663 — 24/7 (https://wa.me/447828732663). Terms: https://www.airporttransferportal.com/terms Complaints: https://www.airporttransferportal.com/complaints Published by Airport Transfer Portal (airporttransferportal.com), operated by Funny Tourism Ltd.