No negotiation on arrival
Your vehicle and price are locked in before take-off. You land, clear immigration, collect your bags, and take the keys. Done.
Car Rental at Dakar Airport (AIBD)
Blaise Diagne International Airport is located at Diass, 47 km south-east of Dakar. Book your car before you fly so it’s waiting in the car park the moment you clear customs — no taxi haggling, no queues, just keys and road.
Why book in advance
Land and go, without the friction
Named meet-and-greet
Your partner meets you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. No hunting for a counter or navigating a multi-level car park.
Choose your category online
City car for Dakar, SUV for the Petite Côte, 4×4 for Casamance or Sine Saloum. You choose calmly at home, not under pressure after a long flight.
Transparent pricing
Firm price displayed online, including the airport pick-up. Any deposit is stated at booking. Nothing added on arrival.
About AIBD
Blaise Diagne Airport in detail
AIBD is a modern airport that opened in December 2017, located at Diass in the commune of Ndiass. The single terminal handles all international and domestic flights. The layout is straightforward: arrivals hall on the ground floor, customs and baggage reclaim at the same level, direct exit to car park P1.
Car park P1 (covered) is less than a three-minute walk from the terminal exit. This is where your hire car waits, tank full and air conditioning ready. Car park P2 (open-air) is for long-stay parking.
The arrivals hall has ATMs (FCFA), currency exchange desks, and SIM card counters (Orange, Free Sénégal) where you can get a data SIM — useful for GPS. The airport Wi-Fi is available but tends to be slow.
Note: there is no TER train station at AIBD (the Train Express Régional only serves Dakar intra-muros). Official airport taxis charge fixed posted fares, but a hire car becomes more cost-effective from your second day.
Key handover
How the pick-up works
1. Landing and immigration
Allow 20 to 40 minutes from landing to the arrivals exit (immigration, baggage, customs). Night flights are often quicker.
2. Meeting your partner
Named sign in the arrivals hall. Contact details sent the day before by SMS/WhatsApp. If your flight is delayed, the partner tracks your arrival in real time.
3. Formalities (10 min)
Licence check, rental contract signature, vehicle registration, keys and assistance number. Joint condition report carried out in the car park.
4. On your way
The toll motorway is five minutes from the car park exit. Head north to Dakar, south to Saly/Mbour, or east towards Thiès.
Routes from AIBD
Common journeys from the airport
AIBD to central Dakar (Plateau): 47 km, 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. Take the toll motorway (total toll: around 3,600 FCFA). Exit at Patte d’Oie for the Plateau, VDN exit for the Almadies. Excellent road, well-lit and well-signposted. Add 20 to 30 minutes during the evening rush hour (5 pm–8 pm).
AIBD to Saly / Mbour: 45 km, around 45 minutes. Head south-east from the airport on the Sindia road. Paved, light traffic. Often the simpler journey from AIBD — shorter and smoother than going into Dakar.
AIBD to Thiès: 35 km, around 30 minutes. The shortest route from the airport. Thiès sits at the crossroads of roads leading to Touba, Saint-Louis and the centre of the country.
AIBD to Toubab Dialaw / Popenguine: 20–25 km, around 20 minutes. Quiet beaches, cliffs, great for a first night in Senegal if you land late. Charming lodges and guesthouses.
Tip: if your flight lands after 10 pm and you’re staying in Dakar, consider stopping overnight at Toubab Dialaw or Saly to avoid a night drive into the capital. The AIBD–Dakar road at night is safe but tiring after a long-haul flight.
Night arrivals
Arriving late at AIBD — what to expect
Many long-haul flights land at AIBD between 10 pm and 3 am (Air France, Corsair, Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Brussels Airlines). Senoto pick-up is available 24/7 — your partner tracks your flight’s actual arrival time.
The terminal stays open as long as flights are operating. The arrivals hall is lit and secured. Car park P1 is covered and under CCTV.
For arrivals after midnight, two options: (1) drive straight to Dakar (smooth journey, almost no traffic, 35–40 minutes); (2) delay the handover until the following morning and sleep in a hotel near the airport (Onomo, Ibis Styles, or guesthouses at Toubab Dialaw). Let us know your preference at booking.
Guide prices
AIBD pick-up pricing
The airport pick-up includes a meet-and-greet in arrivals and key handover in car park P1. Firm price before payment, nothing added on arrival.
| Catégorie | Usage | Tarif / jour |
|---|---|---|
| City car | Dakar city and surroundings | Price confirmed at booking |
| SUV | Dakar + Petite Côte | Price confirmed at booking |
| 4×4 | Extended multi-region trip | Price confirmed at booking |
Deposit returned in full at the end of the rental if the vehicle is returned in the same condition. Reduced daily rates from 7 days.
Traveller checklist
What to sort before you fly
Before departure: (1) Valid driving licence (IDP recommended). (2) Valid passport. (3) Senoto booking confirmation (email or PDF). (4) Flight number provided to us so we can track your arrival.
At the airport: (1) Collect your luggage. (2) Clear customs (declaration required for amounts over 500,000 FCFA in foreign currency). (3) Buy a local SIM card at the Orange/Free counters in arrivals (around 2,000 FCFA for 5 GB). (4) Withdraw FCFA cash if needed (toll booths are cash only).
On the road: (1) Google Maps works well in Senegal with a local SIM. (2) Keep your licence, vehicle registration and insurance certificate within reach for any roadside checks. (3) Fill up before leaving the motorway if heading into rural areas.
More pages
Related pages
Car Rental Dakar
If you prefer a city pick-up rather than the airport.
Car Rental Saly
Head straight down to the Petite Côte from AIBD (45 min).
Vehicle Delivery to AIBD
Your hire car delivered to the AIBD counter on arrival.
AIBD Pick-up Point
Full practical details for the airport collection point.
All available vehicles
Book before you fly
Select your vehicle, add your flight number, and land at AIBD knowing your car is waiting in the car park.
See vehiclesFrequently asked questions
Is the pick-up point inside AIBD airport?
Your partner meets you in the public arrivals hall on the ground floor with a named sign. Key handover and the condition report take place in covered car park P1, less than three minutes’ walk from the terminal.
What if my flight arrives at night?
Pick-up is available 24/7. The partner tracks your flight in real time and adjusts at no extra cost. If you’d rather wait until morning, there are hotels close to the airport (Onomo, Ibis Styles, or guesthouses at Toubab Dialaw, 15–20 minutes away).
What documents do I need at the airport?
A valid driving licence (IDP recommended), your passport, and your Senoto booking confirmation (email or PDF). The condition report is done together in the car park — take photos of the vehicle for your peace of mind.
How long does it take to reach Dakar from AIBD?
Between 45 minutes (smooth traffic, night) and 1 hr 15 min (rush hour) via the toll motorway. Total toll: around 3,600 FCFA. The road is in excellent condition, well-lit and well-signposted.
How long does it take to reach Saly from AIBD?
About 45 minutes along the Sindia road. Saly is actually closer to AIBD than Dakar — if you’re staying on the Petite Côte, you avoid crossing the Dakar peninsula entirely.
Is insurance included?
Yes — every rental includes basic insurance (third-party liability + collision damage). Additional options (excess waiver, theft, glass) are available at booking. Full conditions are in the rental contract.
Can I return the car somewhere other than AIBD?
Yes. Returns are possible in central Dakar (Plateau, Almadies), Saly, Mbour or another Petite Côte location. Any relocation fee is specified in the quote. Returning to AIBD is always an option.
Do I need a local SIM for GPS?
Strongly recommended. Orange and Free counters in the arrivals hall sell data SIMs (around 2,000 FCFA for 5 GB). Google Maps works well in Senegal and covers main roads and most pistes.
How do I pay the motorway toll?
Cash (FCFA) at the toll booth. Card payment is not accepted at toll booths. Keep change ready — the full AIBD to Dakar toll is around 3,600 FCFA.
What happens if my flight is cancelled or heavily delayed?
Contact the partner as soon as you know the new schedule (their number is sent with your booking). The pick-up is rescheduled at no charge. In case of trip cancellation, cancellation conditions are in your booking confirmation.
