Guides
Dated, sourced answers to the questions people ask us before booking: what a trip costs, how long it takes, and which option is actually worth it. Including when it is not ours.
The Games run from 31 October to 13 November 2026, across eight venues in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. The opening ceremony is on 31 October at the Abdoulaye Wade stadium in Diamniadio. Twenty-five sports award medals and ten engagement sports do not. Most tickets are 1,000 FCFA, and road cycling and triathlon are announced as free. The Corniche Ouest is closed to traffic on 7, 8 and 10 November from 06:00 to 16:00.
Read the guideSince 28 September 2026 the TER train links Blaise Diagne airport to Dakar in 55 minutes for 4,000 FCFA in second class. The Dakar Dem Dikk shuttle costs 6,000 FCFA, a city taxi is negotiated between 20,000 and 30,000 FCFA with no meter, and a private transfer booked in advance costs 30,000 FCFA including tax, door to door, with your flight tracked.
Read the guideAllow 45 to 70 minutes by road between Dakar and Blaise Diagne airport outside rush hour, for 43 km. Leave three hours before an international flight, and three and a half hours when traffic is being regulated. The TER train takes 55 minutes and the last one leaves at 22:00.
Read the guideSaly is reached by the toll motorway that passes the airport: allow 1 h 30 to 2 h 30 door to door depending on traffic leaving Dakar. Lac Rose is a half-day trip from the city. Neither journey is on the standard price list: both are quoted and agreed by both parties beforehand.
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