Hotels near Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport: where to stay

"Dakar airport hotel", "hotel near Blaise Diagne airport", "hotels near Dakar international airport": these searches come up for almost every traveller who lands in Senegal late in the evening or has to leave at dawn. The good news is that you do not always need to sleep in central Dakar. Depending on your plans, a night in Diamniadio, around Diass or straight on the Petite-Côte can save you a lot of time. Here is how to pick the right place for your first or last night.

Blaise Diagne Airport at a glance

Blaise Diagne International Airport (code DSS), which serves Dakar, is at Diass, about fifty kilometres from the capital. It opened on 7 December 2017. A toll motorway links it to Dakar via Diamniadio, the new town that has grown up between the capital and the airport.

To the south, the Petite-Côte is not far: Saly and Mbour are about 30 km from the airport. That is what makes the "airport hotel" question a little different here: depending on where you are heading next, the best choice is not always the one closest to the runway.

Watch out for "airport road" hotels in Yoff

When you search for "Dakar airport hotel", you will see many hotels on the "route de l'aéroport", in Yoff or towards Ngor. They are close to the old Léopold Sédar Senghor airport, inside Dakar, not to Blaise Diagne: since December 2017 the old airport no longer handles civilian flights. These addresses can work for a stay in Dakar, but not for a short night before an early departure. Always check the hotel's location on a map before you reserve.

Diamniadio: the big hotels between Dakar and the airport

For a comfortable transit night or a business trip, Diamniadio is the most common choice. Several international hotels have opened there, all with a swimming pool:

• Radisson Hotel Dakar Diamniadio, along the toll motorway, next to the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre;
• Courtyard by Marriott Dakar Diamniadio, near the Abdoulaye Wade stadium;
• Four Points by Sheraton Dakar Diamniadio, near the ministerial city, about 20 minutes from the airport and about 30 km from Dakar.

Diamniadio is a business district still under construction: there are few restaurants or shops within walking distance. For one night before a flight, that quiet is rather an advantage. For several days of sightseeing in Dakar, you are better off staying in town. When you reserve, ask the hotel whether it can arrange your transfer to or from the airport, and on what terms.

Around Diass: simpler places to stay

In Diass itself and the nearby villages, the choice is mostly small residences and guesthouses. They can do the job for a few hours' sleep. But night-time check-in, air conditioning and hot water vary a lot from one place to another: read recent reviews and let them know when you will arrive.

Head straight to the Petite-Côte

Coming for the beach? Often the easiest option is not to sleep near the airport at all, but to go straight to your seaside hotel. Saly and Mbour are about 30 km away, and La Somone lies just north of Saly: you reach your holiday base without crossing Dakar. The same goes for the way home: a last night by the beach keeps you close to the airport.

To choose between these resorts, read our guide La Somone or Mbour: where to stay on the Petite-Côte and our article on all-inclusive hotels in Saly.

Sleeping in Dakar before or after your flight

Does your trip start or end in Dakar, for meetings or a visit to Gorée Island? Then stay in town, and leave plenty of time for the drive to the airport. To pick an area, see our guide on where to stay in Dakar.

Which option for your arrival or departure?

• Late arrival, beach holiday: go straight to La Somone, Saly or Mbour.
• Late arrival, meetings in Dakar the next day: Diamniadio is on the way; or go straight into town if you still have the energy.
• Very early departure: a night in Diamniadio or near Diass cuts the drive when you wake up.
• Departure after a stay on the Petite-Côte: stay at your beach hotel until the end, the airport is close.

Good habits for a transit night

• Tell the hotel your arrival time and get the late check-in confirmed.
• Ask in advance whether a transfer can be arranged, and at what price.
• Keep the hotel's address and phone number to hand.
• For a dawn departure, ask whether a breakfast box is possible.
• If your plans may change, prefer a room that can be cancelled.

Before you go

• Entry requirements: the conditions for entering Senegal may depend on your nationality and can change; check the latest requirements with the consulate or the official website before you travel. Nreservi does not handle visa applications.
• Health: for vaccinations and malaria prevention, ask your doctor or a travel clinic, and check the latest official advice.

Reserving your hotel

Enter your dates on our hotels in Senegal page to see the available hotels. Travelling from the UK, the US or elsewhere abroad? You can pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment.

A question about a hotel, or about the most practical place to sleep for your timings? Write to NIA, our assistant, or contact us.

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.