Blaise Diagne International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Blaise Diagne Airport sits in Diass, inland about 45 km from Dakar: with no train or metro, the transfer to the centre takes between 60 and 90 minutes by taxi, shuttle or rental car depending on traffic on the new tolled motorway. That's why those with just one night or a long connection find it more convenient to stop in Diamniadio, the satellite city the Senegalese government is building halfway there, with the first international hotels already operating; those staying longer who want the historic centre, the restaurants of the Plateau and the ferry to Gorée should aim for the city proper, accepting the longer trip. Be careful not to confuse hotels near the old airport of Dakar-Yoff, inside the city, with those truly close to the new Diass hub: some listings online still use the name "airport" referring to the decommissioned one, over an hour from Blaise Diagne.

Diamniadio, near the airport

Airport area · About 20-30 minutes by car or hotel shuttle from the airport; for central Dakar you then need another 30-45 minutes on the same tolled motorway.

Best for: One-night layovers, morning departures and business trips tied to the new administrative city, to avoid the longer trip to Dakar.

Pros

The shortest possible transfer from the airport, with its own shuttle at both hotels
Diamniadio is Senegal's fastest-growing city, with a newly built sports arena and shopping centres

Cons

An area still under construction: few restaurants or bars outside the hotels themselves
Dakar's historic centre and Gorée are still 45-60 minutes away by car

Recommended hotels in this area

Courtyard by Marriott Dakar Diamniadio: Senegal's first Marriott hotel, opened at the end of 2024 about 20 minutes from the airport; shuttle to Blaise Diagne and rooms designed for business travellers of the new administrative city.
Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio: About 20 minutes from the airport with its own shuttle; same Diamniadio hub as the Courtyard, designed for those stopping just one night between two flights.

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Place de l'Indépendance and the Plateau

City centre · About 45 km and 60-90 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; the airport shuttle costs less but also takes 75-105 minutes.

Best for: Those who want the historic centre, the Kermel market and the ferry to Gorée island within walking distance, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.

Pros

Place de l'Indépendance, the Kermel market and the Gorée ferry terminal within walking distance
The city's highest concentration of restaurants and evening life, plus the bay's seafront

Cons

The transfer from the airport remains the longest among all the city's areas
Heavy traffic at rush hour on the only motorway connecting Diass to the Plateau

Recommended hotels in this area

Pullman Dakar Teranga: On the bay of Dakar a few steps from Place de l'Indépendance, with a heated pool and views of Gorée; among the most central chain hotels in the city.
Ibis Styles Dakar: On the same Avenue Abdoulaye Fadiga as the Novotel, in the Plateau; outdoor pool and kids' mini-club at a more affordable price.

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Fann and the Corniche

Neighbourhood · Same distance from the airport as the Plateau (45 km, 60-90 minutes), plus another 10-15 minutes by taxi along the Corniche Ouest to reach the district.

Best for: Those who want the sea and an ocean view without being in the middle of the Plateau's traffic, accepting about ten minutes by taxi to the historic centre.

Pros

A hotel literally on the beach, in the elegant Fann district on the Cape Verde peninsula
Quieter than the Plateau in the evening, with an in-house spa and pool for those who don't want to move around

Cons

You still need a taxi for Place de l'Indépendance and the Kermel market
Among the highest prices in the city, in line with the 5-star positioning

Recommended hotels in this area

Noom Hotel Dakar Sea Plaza, a member of Radisson Individuals: Formerly the Radisson Blu Dakar Sea Plaza, on the Corniche Ouest in the Fann district; spa, outdoor pool and poolside bar directly on the ocean.

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