Getting Around Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis is a compact, walkable city, and most visitors find they can cover the historic heart on foot. For anything beyond that, a mix of taxis, shared minibuses, horse-drawn carts and rented two-wheelers will get you where you need to go. Note that there is no working rail service into or around the city — rail services ended at the turn of the millennium and the tracks are now largely overgrown or covered in sand. There is likewise no metro or tram network to rely on.
Walking
The most practical way to see Saint-Louis is simply to walk. Most of the historic city is easily accessible on foot, which makes strolling the best option for exploring the old streets, waterfront and landmarks at your own pace.
Taxis
Taxis are the simplest paid option for short hops around the city. Fares are effectively a fixed rate, so you generally don't need to negotiate hard for standard trips. Expect to pay more if you're travelling from the garage (gare routière) into downtown, or if you're travelling at night.
Car Rapide and Other Public Transport
Saint-Louis has a fairly decent "car rapide" shared public transport system — small minibuses that run along set routes. They are the cheapest way to cover an average stretch of the city, and useful if you're heading somewhere beyond comfortable walking distance. Fares are low and paid on board.
Calèches
On the Island of Ndar (the historic island at the heart of Saint-Louis), you'll find calèches — horse-drawn carts — aimed squarely at sightseeing visitors. They're a leisurely, atmospheric way to tour the island rather than a practical commuting option.
Bicycles and Scooters
Renting a scooter or bicycle is a good way to cover more ground and reach places that are awkward on foot. There is a rental shop on the corner of Rue Blanchot and Quai Roume, on the island. Scooters rent by the day, and bicycles are the cheaper option. If you plan to explore the outskirts or the surrounding area, this is the most flexible choice.
Getting to Saint-Louis
As of early 2026, the way into Saint-Louis is by road. The city does have an airport, but services from Dakar that apparently restarted in 2024 have since been discontinued, so flying in is not currently a practical option. Rail services ended at the turn of the millennium, and the tracks are largely overgrown or covered in sand. That leaves road transport as the realistic route in.
From Dakar by Road
If you're driving yourself, take Route N2 from Dakar all the way to Saint-Louis. The journey is long and can vary considerably depending on traffic, so allow plenty of time.
- Sept-place: The easiest way to reach Saint-Louis from Dakar is a sept-place — a seven-passenger station wagon. They leave from the main station in Dakar (also called Pompier). You wait at the station until the car fills up, which means your fellow passengers are all heading to Saint-Louis too, making it a direct trip. You can also rent an entire sept-place for yourself if you'd rather not wait or share.
- Mini cars (vans): A budget option from Gare Pompier in Dakar to Saint-Louis. You'll pay a small additional amount for baggage. Carry valuables with you personally rather than in checked baggage, since bags are carried elsewhere and items of value inside can occasionally go missing. Be prepared for a long day: these vans cruise slowly and make frequent stops.
- Ndiaga Ndiaye: Large white Mercedes buses, also departing from Gare Pompier in Dakar, are the cheapest option of all. As with the vans, you'll pay a little extra for baggage and should keep valuables on your person. These buses are slow and stop often, and they can take several hours to depart because they fill every seat before leaving. Always look inside and count the open seats before paying — operators sometimes misstate how many seats remain, and you could end up waiting for hours at the gare.
- Senegal Demm Dikk: This operator runs air-conditioned buses from Dakar to Saint-Louis departing in the morning. They are comfortable and ultimately not much more expensive than taking a sept-place — a good middle ground between cost and comfort.
From Dakar Airport by Taxi
You should be able to arrange a personal taxi from Dakar Airport to Saint-Louis (or to Mouit) directly. The price depends on the condition of the taxi and your negotiation skills, and taxis take a maximum of four people. Hiring a car at Dakar Airport is another option: you can hire with or without a guide or driver, and prices with a guide start at a daily rate that rises depending on the quality of the vehicle.