Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Dakar (DKR): 17 km from the city.

• Full list of airports in Senegal with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

The main towns in Senegal are connected by domestic flights, and visitors may also fly from Dakar to Banjul (The Gambia). The country also has 1,225 km (761 miles) of rail track, with trains running from Dakar to towns en route for Bamako in Mali.

Cars may be hired in Dakar and other main towns for use on the 3,900 km (2,423 miles) of asphalt roads that link the major towns and the coastal region. There are also about 10,400 km (6,460 miles) rough roods in the interior; however, these may become impassable during the rainy season. Travellers should be aware that there are often police checkpoints at the entrance and exit to villages to enforce speed restrictions, at which any fines must be paid on the spot.

However, it is often quicker to travel by sea than road. Ferries run from Dakar to Ziquinchor (travel time - 20 hours) and sea shuttles depart regularly from Dakar harbour to the Île de Gorée. A speedy (yet somewhat expensive) new service, L'Express du Senegal, links Banjul, Dakar and Ziguinchor.

There are many buses available for short distances, in addition to the cheaper 'car rapide' (minibuses). Taxis are also available in most towns and fares are metered with an additional fixed surcharge, with rates increasing after midnight. It's worth bearing in mind that it is more expensive to arrange to be collected from the hotel than it is to hail a taxi in the street. For journeys into the interior, estate cars and bush taxis can be a good idea.