Senegal Airport -Dakar Leopol Sedar Senghor International (DKR )

Senegal Airport -Dakar Leopol Sedar Senghor International (DKR )

Dakar-Yoff International Airport or Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport ( DKR ) is an international airport serving to Dakar city of Senegal. One of major airport in West Africa, Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport offers flights to numerous important cities in Africa, Europe and North America. Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport has two asphalt runways including a 3,490 metre long runway and a 1,500 metre long runway. Air Mali, Air France, Delta Air Lines, Air Mediterranee, Afriqiyah Airways, Air Burkina, Ethiopian Airlines, Slok Air International, South African Airways and Turkish Airlines are some of the major airlines that serve to Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport.


When you arrive at the Airport, a bus will take you from the aircraft to the terminal building. There will be two lines one for ‘Nationals of Senegal’ and one for ‘Others’ to go through passport control.


Remember that this is an West African Airport so arriving can be very stressful. This is due to the security .. airport security carry machine guns.  There are lots of Toots--( very aggressive salespeople :-)  trying to get you a taxi. (See here from  more on Taxis) Other will try to grab your bags . Be very careful because the luggage carts we assume are there for our free use. Well these toots grab your cart to push ....like you couldn't do it yourself. Then demand to be paid for this service.  Be ready to bargain very hard for a taxi.. tip check the tires before you get in. 

Very import to have the local currency ready. Do not plan on a exchange  desk  at airport. From what I understand exchanging money at the airport can be extremely hard. 

The one word to describe the bathrooms is nasty. Try to use the facility on the plane before you de-board and then try to make it to your hotel or place of residence.  If you must  remember to bring your own toilet paper.


Facilities at the Airport

• Tax free shops after passport control open day and night
• Money exchange
• Taxi rank outside arrivals hall
• Car rental and hires

Please let us know about your experiences @ the Senegal Airport.

Getting to Senegal

Freighters World Cruises

If your in the United States you must fly or take a boat. From Europe it is possible to drive down, but not recommended. Well as for a boat there is no scheduled service. You can try what my father did years 
ago.. he took a freighter for the New York to  Nigeria.  The problem is  that the ship probably will make many stops along the way. It can take weeks and since its not a recreational cruise line you better pack a lot of books to read. The crew is not there to entertain you. If you insist click this link for Freighters World Cruises Inc. There are people who have the time and insist this the only way to travel.

South African Airways

So... from the United States that leaves flying.  You can fly via  Europe or Morocco and connect to Dakar. This  will make for a long trip anywhere from 16 to 25 hours with the layover.  45 flights per week fly out of New York, NY connecting to Dakar,. In a hurry then get a direct  flight on Delta Airlines out of JFK or on South African Airlways, from Washington, DC it is a non stop flight. Travel time is 7  1/2 hours outbound and 9 1/2 return. Not sure why the return takes and addition 2 hours. Maybe some pilot will let me know :-)