Atlantic coastline and fishing boats of Dakar, Senegal

DSS Airport

UK to Dakar

Senegal · Capital of Teranga

Fly from London to West Africa's westernmost city with RwandAir — one smooth connection through our Kigali hub, bags checked through, and Gorée Island, pink lakes and mbalax nights waiting at the other end. UK citizens enter visa-free, and Dakar runs on London time.

1 Stop via Kigali (KGL)

16h 20m Fastest journey

4x Weekly Connections

£679 Fares from

Departures

Flights to Dakar

Every RwandAir routing from London — pick the connection timing that suits you.

Best Fares

Latest Flight Tickets to Dakar

Hand-picked deals on flights departing from the UK. Secure your seat at the lowest price today.

RW RwandAir

LHR

London Heathrow

Cheapest Flights From London Heathrow to Dakar

1 Stop

DKR

Dakar

£631

per adult · incl. taxes

Economy 23kg

Returning to London — same-week options

12:15 → 05:45⁺¹

via KGL · layover 2h 20m · 17h 30m

09:50 → 05:45⁺¹

via KGL · layover 4h 45m · 19h 55m

07:00 → 05:45⁺¹

via KGL · layover 7h 35m · 22h 45m

Sample RwandAir schedules and fares shown for illustration. Every fare we quote includes all taxes, checked baggage, and our best-price promise — find it cheaper elsewhere and we match it, plus the difference.

One Check-In, All the Way

Your bags are tagged through to Dakar at Heathrow — no re-checking in Kigali, ever.

Protected Connections

Minimum 60-minute guarantees at our hub. If a delay causes a missed link, we rebook you free.

A Hub That Feels Small

Kigali is one of Africa's easiest transits — walkable terminal, good coffee, no crowds.

Support in Transit

Our 24/7 team tracks every leg. Something goes wrong mid-journey? We already know and are on it.

Once You Land

Discover Dakar

Atlantic cliffs and pink lakes, UNESCO history and mbalax beats — the city where Teranga reigns.

Boats and colonial houses of Gorée Island

Gorée Island (UNESCO)

Twenty minutes by ferry to rose-walled lanes, colonial houses and a profound history.

Monument de la Renaissance

A 49-metre bronze giant over the Atlantic — climb inside for the best panorama in Dakar.

Lac Rose (Lac Retba)

A blush-pink salt lake an hour from the city — salt harvesters wading beside dunes and the ocean.

Soumbédioune Craft Market

Carved masks, Wolof jewellery and hand-woven textiles — Senegal's craft heritage by the sea.

Mbalax Nights

Youssou N'Dour's homeland — sabar drums and mbalax rhythm until the small hours.

Thieboudienne & Teranga

Senegal's beloved rice-and-fish national dish — served with the legendary hospitality the country is named for.

Good to Know

Dakar travel essentials

The practical details, handled before you pack.

Visa & Entry

Great news: UK citizens enter Senegal visa-free for up to 90 days — just a passport valid 6+ months. A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival. The easiest entry in our West Africa network.

Best Time to Visit

November to May is the dry season — breezy Atlantic days, cool nights, and the best conditions for Gorée, Lac Rose and Saint-Louis.

Money & Payments

West African CFA franc (XOF) — shared with Abidjan and Bamako. Cash-first economy; bring clean EUR notes to exchange. Cards work in upmarket hotels and restaurants.

Language

French is official; Wolof fills the streets and the music. English is limited outside hotels — a few French phrases unlock the legendary Senegalese welcome.

Time Zone

GMT — the same clock as London, all year. Dakar joins Accra, Conakry, Abidjan and Bamako in our zero-jet-lag club: land at 14:50 with your body clock untouched.

DSS → City Centre

Blaise Diagne International sits ~45km from downtown — a 45–60 minute drive on the new toll motorway. We arrange trusted, pre-booked transfers.

Questions

Dakar trip FAQs

Not currently — RwandAir connects through its Kigali hub, the smoothest one-stop routing available at around 16h 20m fastest. Bags are checked all the way through to DSS and the Kigali connection is guaranteed on a single ticket.

Half great news: UK passport holders need no visa for stays up to 90 days — just a passport valid for 6+ months. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on arrival; get vaccinated at least 10 days before departure. Our team walks you through the full entry checklist so nothing surprises you at check-in.

No — Senegal runs on GMT, the exact same time as the UK all year round. Dakar joins Accra, Conakry, Abidjan and Bamako in our zero-jet-lag club. Your overnight flight lands mid-afternoon local time, which is also your body's afternoon. Straight from the plane to a Gorée sunset.

On a through-ticketed RwandAir booking you're protected: the airline rebooks you on the next available Dakar flight at no cost. Both legs are the same carrier, your bags are transferred for you, and our 24/7 team monitors the connection in real time.

Economy includes 23kg checked plus 7kg cabin on every leg, with the checked bag tagged straight through to DSS. Extra allowance — popular for family visits and shipments — can be pre-booked through us at better rates than airport prices.

Yes — Gorée ferries, Lac Rose 4x4 excursions, and the colonial-charm overnight to Saint-Louis can all be arranged with vetted local partners as part of your booking. Hotels in Almadies, Plateau and N'Gor, plus trusted transfers for the 45–60 minute airport motorway run, are also one call away.