Traffic can be very heavy and is unpredictable; it is important to note that this is a significant issue, particularly during rush hour and a short distance can easily take 60 minutes by road. It is advisable to plan your journey accordingly and allow for extra travel time.

Taxi, shuttle, rail are the most convenient travel options for congress participants

The Dakar regional express train, or TER, is an electric fast rail system designed to link the Dakar city centre with the Blaise Diagne International Airport. Currently it only has 13 stops, ending at the Diamniadio station, approximately 4km from the CICAD conference centre. The train travels at speeds up to 150km per hour making the Dakar city centre-to-Diamniadio journey a 20-minute express trip. Although an extension is planned, and it is hoped that further progress will be made during the year, this rail is NOT currently an option between the airport and the city.

Dakar is approximately 60km from the Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS). You can make the journey from the airport to your destination in Dakar by using a pre-booked shuttle, a taxi, or the bus.

Pre-booking an airport transfer is the safest and most comfortable means of transport. Airport transfer bookings can be made here. Airport transfers are being offered and managed by our local partner, CTA Incentive & Event. You can contact CTA Incentive & Event here.

Taking a taxi is also a reliable means of transport. The trip to downtown Dakar takes approximately 60 minutes by taxi, and the fare is approximately CFA 30 000 (USD 50). Try to avoid the touts and look for the yellow taxis in a rank outside of Arrivals, and be sure to agree the price with the driver before you depart.

Several bus lines run from the airport to downtown Dakar. The express shuttle bus runs all day and night and costs CFA 6 000. The Local 404 bus runs during the day and costs CFA 1 000. Note that travel time on the Local 404 is approximately 90+ minutes.

It is best to have local currency on hand to settle with the taxi driver or to purchase your bus ticket. There are currency exchanges and ATMs in the airport.

There will be an AORTIC Airport Transfer Desk at the airport on 1 – 3 November staffed by CTA Incentive & Event, who can assist you to find your pre-booked airport transfer (if you have booked one) or to find a taxi.

If you have booked an airport transfer directly with your hotel, please be sure to have their contact details at hand.

Please note: Participants are responsible for making their own airport transfer arrangements, and the cost is for their own account.

The CICAD conference centre is located in the Diamniadio area, about 30kms from downtown Dakar. Please note that traffic between the CICAD conference centre and downtown Dakar can be extremely challenging.

       A) Conference shuttle: The conference shuttle will run morning and evening on each conference day between the CICAD conference centre and downtown Dakar on 2 – 6 November.

Please note: Look for the AORTIC brand to find the correct bus.

This shuttle service will run each morning going from downtown Dakar to the CICAD conference centre and returning in the evening. There are no shuttles outside of these times. It is not a “hop on, hop off” system – it is point-to-point on a very fixed schedule.

Please note: If you have made independent accommodation arrangements outside of the official conference hotels, you need to make your own way to Place de l’Indépendance to join Route 2.

Route 1

Departing the Radisson Blu Dakar Sea Plaza at 07:10

Stopping at the Hotel Terrou Bi (approximately 07:30)

Continuing directly to the CICAD conference centre

This service will be repeated in reverse at the end of the conference day

There are no shuttles outside of these times

Route 2

Departing from the central Place de l’Indépendance at 07:30

Continuing directly to the CICAD conference centre

This service will be repeated in reverse at the end of the conference day

There are no shuttles outside of these times

This shuttle will service the hotels in the Plateau area (Pullman, Days Suites, Novotel, Lagoon, Rysara, Axil, Le Ndiambour, Fleur de Lys) – all passengers must make their own way to the departure point in time for departure.

Route 3

Departing from the Baobab Prestige Apartments at 08:00

Continuing directly to the CICAD conference centre

This service will be repeated in reverse at the end of the conference day

There are no shuttles outside of these times

       B) Taxi and Ride Hailing: You can take a taxi to the CICAD conference centre. The journey from downtown Dakar takes approximately 45 – 60 minutes, depending on traffic and the fare is approximately CFA 30 000 (USD 50).

Taxis are in short supply in the area of the CICAD conference centre. For the return journey to downtown Dakar, a ride-hailing service is suggested; Heetch, Yassir, and Yango are effective and operational in Dakar and are the suggested ride hailing apps for getting around the city.

     C) Rail and Public Transport: The Dakar regional express train (TER) is an electric fast rail system that links downtown Dakar, 13 stops, and the Diamniadio Station which is approximately 4km from the CICAD conference centre. The train travels at speeds up to 150km per hour making the downtown Dakar-to-Diamniadio journey a 20-minute express trip.

Once you arrive at the Diamniadio Station, there are very few taxis operating in the area.

Option 1: On conference days, a limited (1 vehicle) shuttle service (running between the Diamniadio Station and the CICAD conference centre) will run between 08:30 and 09:30 and again at the end of the conference day.

Option 2: Use a ride-hailing service to get from the Diamniadio Station to the CICAD conference centre. Heetch, Yassir, and Yango are effective and operational in Dakar and are the suggested ride hailing apps for getting around the city.

Please note: No conference transport will be arranged from the Saly and Somone areas, which are 55km from Diamniadio (CICAD conference centre) and 85km from downtown Dakar. Participants will be responsible for their own transport to the CICAD conference centre.