How to get to Senegal: airports, flights and border crossings

Book into Dakar Blaise Diagne (DSS). It is the main international gateway and the only airport with a wide choice of long-haul connections, and it is the natural arrival point for a trip that starts in Dakar. Cap Skirring (CSK) is worth it only if you are going straight to Casamance and can find a flight that matches your dates.

From Europe, a direct flight from Paris, Madrid or Lisbon is the simplest option (check current routes). From North America, expect one stop unless you find a nonstop from New York. From Australia and New Zealand, plan on two stops and a long travel day. Confirm routes and times when you book; they change with the season.

Dakar Blaise Diagne International (DSS) is the main international gateway, serving the Dakar area. The terminal is modern and manageable; immigration can be slow when several wide-bodies land together (check).

Cap Skirring (CSK) in Casamance takes small aircraft and seasonal charter traffic. It is useful if you are heading to the beaches around Cap Skirring or Ziguinchor, but schedules are thin and change often. Confirm before you build a trip around it.

Airlines serving Dakar usually include Air Senegal, Air France, Brussels Airlines, Iberia, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airlines and Delta (check). Routes and frequencies change with the season, so compare dates rather than airlines.

The drive from the airport to central Dakar takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic (check). Taxis and private transfers are the usual choice; agree the fare before you get in, or book a transfer through your hotel.

A shuttle and bus services also run between the airport and Dakar, but they are slower and less predictable with luggage (check). If you land late, a pre-booked transfer is worth the extra cost. See Senegal getting around for the full picture on taxis, cars and sept-places once you are in the country.

Senegal borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and The Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. All are crossable by road, and overlanders do it regularly, but crossings are slow and paperwork varies by post. Cross in daylight and start early (check).

From Mauritania, the usual route is the Rosso crossing over the Senegal River, or the Diama dam crossing further west. Both can take an hour or several depending on queues (check). From The Gambia, the Trans-Gambia corridor and the ferry at Banjul are the common options; the ferry can add hours (check). From Mali, the road via Kayes is long and best done with a driver who knows the route (check).

By sea, Dakar is a port of call for occasional cargo and cruise ships, and there is no regular scheduled passenger ferry from Europe (check). Regional boats along the coast are not a practical way in.

Most Western passports, including US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand, enter Senegal visa-free for short tourist stays (check). Rules can change, so confirm with the nearest Senegalese embassy or consulate before booking. See senegal visa requirements for the current position by passport.

You will need a passport valid for at least six months, proof of onward travel and sometimes a yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from a country with transmission risk (check). Carry a printed copy of your booking. On arrival, expect a health form and a short immigration interview (check).

The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), fixed at 655.957 per euro. Cards work at the airport and in larger Dakar hotels; elsewhere carry cash. See senegal currency and tipping for what things cost and how much to leave.

The dry season runs November to May and is the best window for a first trip. December and January are the busiest and most expensive; November and late April give similar weather with more availability (check). The rainy season from June to October brings heat, humidity and fewer flights on some routes (check).

Book long-haul flights two to four months ahead for the November to February peak (check). Fares from Europe are usually lowest in September and October (check). If you are combining Senegal with The Gambia or Mauritania, check border opening hours and public holidays before you fix dates.