Picking up your rental car at Blaise-Diagne airport

Blaise-Diagne International Airport (AIBD) sits in Diass, about 45 km southeast of Dakar, and has been open since December 2017. It handles more than 3 million passengers a year. It’s now Senegal’s main air gateway — and for many travelers, the natural starting point for a car rental.

Step 1: baggage claim and customs

Plan on 30 to 45 minutes between landing and stepping out of the terminal, depending on traffic. Flights from Europe (Air France, Iberia, Brussels Airlines, TAP) mostly arrive in late morning or in the evening; pick a morning flight if you’d rather avoid the crowd at passport control.

Step 2: locating your rental counter

The international rental companies (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt) have a counter in the Arrivals area, on the left as you exit. Local rental companies and modern online platforms — such as Senoto — typically run a “meet-and-greet with signboard” setup: an agent waits for you on the way out with a name placard, then walks you to the vehicle parked in short-stay parking.

Step 3: vehicle inspection and key handover

Before driving off, make absolutely sure you do a joint vehicle inspection with photos: bodywork (4 sides + roof if possible), interior, dashboard (odometer reading + fuel level), tires. Note every dent or scratch on the contract — don’t settle for a verbal note. Then sign, take your copy, and put it somewhere safe.

Step 4: getting to Dakar

Two main options from AIBD into central Dakar:

• Toll motorway (A1): 45 km, 45 minutes in normal conditions, 1h15 at rush hour. Total toll: 3,900 FCFA (≈ 6 €). This is the recommended option — a 2×2-lane road, well-lit and in good condition.
• National road (N1) via Mbour: longer (about 65 km, 1h30), but no tolls. Reserved for travelers looking to save money or who want to take in the Petite-Côte before reaching Dakar.

Inside Dakar, the VDN (Voie de Dégagement Nord) takes you straight to the Plateau, the Almadies, or downtown depending on where you’re headed. Leave yourself plenty of time: Dakar traffic at rush hour (7:30–10:00, 17:00–20:00) can get very heavy.