Major city · Mali
Timbuktu
Visit Timbuktu for a day‑trip only if you have time; 1 day covers the three historic mosques and the market, longer stays add little.
Timbuktu is a remote UNESCO World Heritage town on the Niger River. Its three historic mosques, market and museum cluster within a walkable area, so a single day suffices for the main sights. Accommodation and transport are limited, making longer stays only worthwhile for desert excursions.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler evenings)
- avoid Jun–Oct (rain, high heat, possible road flooding)
- Airport
- TOM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…Check your own government travel advice for Mali before a…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mali ↗Check your own government travel advice for Mali before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Mali ↗Entry is controlled by the transitional authorities; road routes are unsafe and no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Mali ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Mali before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Timbuktu17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Timbuktu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in CFA francs or euros carries most payments: see Insurance & payments above.Mali-wide
- SafetySecurity is variable; travel with a reputable guide, avoid night travel outside town, and keep valuables concealed.
- Emergency numbers17 police · 115 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTOM Timbuktu Airport.
- Getting aroundWalk between the old town sites (under 1 hour).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))XOF 2,000–3,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryXOF 500–1,000
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomXOF 12,000
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomXOF 20,000
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomXOF 35,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 5,000 · Mid XOF 8,000 · High XOF 12,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TOM Timbuktu Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jun
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Timbuktu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
May
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jun
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk between the old town sites (under 1 hour). Taxis, camels or donkeys are available for short trips; no public bus service.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Goundam (salt flats)
cautionDoor to door: ≈5 h round‑trip
4×4 hire from Timbuktu, about 2 h each way
Roads can be impassable after rain; negotiate price before hire.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hôtel du Désert
basic rooms, central location, phone +223 76 02 36 47
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- XOF 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- XOF 8,000–12,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room1 × 1 night × XOF 20,000 | XOF 20,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × XOF 8,000 | XOF 8,000 |
| Round‑trip Sky Mali flight Bamako ↔ Timbuktu1 × XOF 130,000 · check | XOF 130,000 |
| 4×4 hire for day‑trip to Goundam1 × XOF 25,000 · check | XOF 25,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × XOF 15,000 · check | XOF 15,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 29,700 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 227,700 per person per day, bed included | XOF 227,700 |
2026 estimate in XOF; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bottled water (1 L) | XOF 300–500 |
| Meal at local restaurant | XOF 800–1,500 |
| Taxi (5 km) | XOF 2,000–3,000 |
| Museum entry | XOF 500–1,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mosques may be closed to non‑Muslims during prayers; check entry rules on arrival.
- Security situation can change; consult your government travel advice before booking.
- Limited medical facilities; carry basic supplies.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Medical
- 115
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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TimbuktuTimbuktu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Medical115
Embassy
Check the US embassy in Bamako for consular assistance.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bamako → Timbuktu (Sky Mali): ≈ XOF 120,000 one‑way, 2 × weekly
- Taxi town centre ↔ Hôtel du Désert: ≈ XOF 2,500
Say or show
- Salam — Hello / Excuse me (sah-lahm)
- Merci — Thank you (mehr-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much? (kohm-byen sah koot)
- Où est le marché ? — Where is the market? (oo eh luh mar-shay)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Timbuktu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cooler evenings) · avoid Jun–Oct (rain, high heat, possible road flooding)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel transport (taxi or pre‑booked 4×4).
- Guided walking tour of the three mosques (≈2 h).
- Optional desert camel trek (multi‑day, arrange locally).
Sources
Ask about Timbuktu
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