Taxi Fares in Dakar: Prices and How to Negotiate

In Dakar, the yellow and black taxis almost never run the meter: you agree on the fare before you get in. A standard ride across town usually lands between 1,500 and 3,500 FCFA depending on distance, time of day and traffic. Knowing how to name your own price, ideally with a word or two of Wolof, makes all the difference. Here are realistic ranges and the phrases that actually work.

Typical fares by route

These are commonly observed ballpark figures, which shift with fuel prices and traffic:

• Plateau to Point E or Sacré-Cœur: roughly 1,500 to 2,500 FCFA.
• Plateau to Mermoz, Ouakam or the Corniche Ouest: roughly 2,000 to 3,000 FCFA.
• Plateau to Almadies, Ngor or Yoff: roughly 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA.
• Short hop within one neighborhood (Liberté 6, Foire, HLM): roughly 800 to 1,500 FCFA.
• Dakar to Parcelles Assainies or Pikine: roughly 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA.
• Dakar to Guédiawaye, Keur Massar or Rufisque: roughly 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA.

At rush hour, inbound to Plateau in the morning and outbound in the evening, drivers typically add 500 to 1,000 FCFA. That is fair enough: they know they will be stuck on the VDN or the motorway for a while.

Nights, rain and airport runs

After 10pm or 11pm, fares climb naturally, often by 30 to 50 percent. An Almadies to Plateau ride quoted at 3,500 FCFA in daylight may be quoted at 5,000 FCFA at night. During the rainy season, from July to October, flooded streets in some neighborhoods push prices up too, and plenty of drivers simply refuse to enter areas where water is standing.

Blaise Diagne International Airport, out past Diamniadio, is a different category entirely. A one way trip from central Dakar is usually negotiated between 15,000 and 25,000 FCFA in a regular taxi, more at night or with heavy luggage. Pre booked shuttles and ride hailing services quote fixed rates, which spares you a 5am haggle with suitcases in hand. Our piece on getting to and from AIBD airport covers the options.

Negotiating without friction

Bargaining in Dakar is a conversation, not a confrontation. A few practical rules:

• Ask the price before getting in, door open, one foot on the pavement. Once you are seated, your leverage is gone.
• Name your price instead of only asking for theirs. Counter at around 60 to 70 percent of their opening figure, then wait.
• Greet first. A "Salamalekum" and a smile lower the price faster than three minutes of arguing.
• Carry small notes. Handing over 10,000 FCFA for a 2,000 FCFA ride makes everything harder.
• Be willing to walk. Stepping toward the next taxi often produces the price you wanted.
• Never pay up front, except for a booked shuttle.

If you have just arrived, or you are back visiting from the diaspora, ask a neighbor or a colleague what your usual route should cost. One local benchmark beats any guesswork.

Wolof phrases worth learning

Even roughly pronounced, they signal that you are not completely outside the game:

• "Salamalekum": hello, the greeting you always open with.
• "Ñaata la ?": how much is it?
• "Dafa seer": that is expensive.
• "Wàññi ko tuuti": bring it down a little.
• "Ñaari junni": two thousand. (Junni = thousand, ñetti junni = three thousand.)
• "Maa ngi dem ...": I am going to ...
• "Baax na, ñëwal": alright, let's go.
• "Jërëjëf": thank you.

Say "Dafa seer, wàññi ko tuuti" with a smile and the quote very often drops a notch on the spot.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• IZYCAB GREEN SUARL : Corniche Ouest
• ALLO TAXI AIBD : Dakar
• AZUR AUTO VTC : Foire
• BM BUSINESS ET TRANSIT : Ouakam
• Sénégal Top Shuttle : Dakar
• TAXI DAKAR : HLM

More transport services in Dakar are listed here: see all addresses.

Useful tools

• Route planner to size up your trip before discussing the fare.
• Currency converter to switch between euros and FCFA at a glance.
• Practical guide with the emergency numbers 17, 18 and 1515.
• To place these amounts in a wider budget, read our article on the cost of living in Dakar.

Frequently asked questions

Do Dakar taxis use meters?

Most have one, but it is rarely switched on. The fare is agreed verbally before departure, and that is the norm everyone accepts.

Can I pay a taxi with mobile money?

In yellow and black taxis, cash still rules, so keep small notes handy. Ride hailing services and shuttles accept mobile payment more often, as explained in our Wave and Orange Money guide.

Is haggling considered rude?

Not at all, it is expected. What lands badly is negotiating without greeting first, or bargaining hard over a very short ride.