The town centre is small enough to walk. Most services — the market, the Sûreté, the banks, and the main cafés and restaurants — are within fifteen minutes on foot of each other.
Taxis — Grand taxis cover the main routes within and near town, operating on shared or chartered basis. For trips to the lagoon-side kite camps, negotiate a charter price before getting in; drivers know the camps and will quote accordingly. Petits taxis (smaller metered cabs) handle shorter in-town trips.
Rental cars and 4WDs — Several agencies in town rent cars. A standard saloon car is adequate for reaching the lagoon camps and the main beach access points on the peninsula; a proper 4WD is needed if you want to explore the dune fields, reach the peninsula's southern tip, or go off the paved road in any direction. Rental prices are higher than in northern Morocco, reflecting the limited supply.
The peninsula road — A paved road runs much of the length of the Río de Oro Peninsula, and then a track continues further south. Driving the peninsula is the main way to access the lagoon camps, the Atlantic beaches, and the quieter southern sections of the lagoon. The track surface deteriorates toward the tip but remains passable in a standard car with care. Sand drifts are more likely after storms.
Checkpoints — Military checkpoints operate on the main roads in and around Dakhla. Have your passport accessible and be prepared to state where you are going. The process is routine and usually quick; treat it as part of travel in this region.