Sept-Places
The backbone of intercity travel in Senegal is the sept-place — a Peugeot 504 or similar estate car with seven seats that departs when full and stops in towns along the route. They are cheap, reasonably fast, and give you a genuine feel for the country. The downside is that you may wait an hour or more at the gare routière (bus station) before enough passengers fill the car. You can always pay for two seats to leave sooner. Major routes: Dakar–Saint Louis, Dakar–Kaolack, Dakar–Tambacounda.
Buses
Private bus companies — notably Dakar Dem Dikk and Ouibus — run air-conditioned coaches between Dakar and the main cities. They are more comfortable than sept-places and you can book in advance, which matters because popular departures fill up. The Dakar–Saint Louis run takes about 3–4 hours.
In Dakar
Within Dakar, car rapides are the traditional way to get around: brightly painted Renault minibuses that follow fixed routes for minimal fares. They are being progressively replaced by the larger, numbered DDD (Dakar Dem Dikk) blue buses. Both are crowded at rush hour.
The TER train (Train Express Régional) now connects central Dakar with Diamniadio and the Blaise Diagne airport area. It is modern, air-conditioned, and much faster than road travel on that corridor.
Taxis are metered in theory but drivers rarely use the meter. Agree on a price before you get in. A short ride in the city should cost 1,500–3,000 CFA. Ride-hailing apps (Yango, InDriver) operate in Dakar and are a reliable alternative with upfront pricing.
By Pirogue
In the Casamance and Sine-Saloum delta regions, pirogues — wooden dugout canoes — are the practical way to reach many villages and islands. They are cheap and commonly available at river crossings and fishing villages.
Self-Drive
Car hire is available in Dakar and at the airport. Roads between major cities are generally paved and in decent condition, but secondary roads can be rough, especially after rain. Traffic in Dakar is heavy and driving aggressive. Outside the capital, driving is much easier.