Dubai to Dakar is one of the longest hops on Emirates’ Africa map — a non-stop haul of around eleven hours to the westernmost point of the continent. It’s the only direct link between the Gulf and Senegal, popular with business travellers, the Senegalese diaspora and a trickle of Atlantic-coast holidaymakers. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return costs in dirhams, and when to book.
Route: Dubai (DXB) → Dakar Blaise Diagne International (DSS)
Distance: approximately 8,700 km (5,400 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 11h 05m westbound (Dubai to Dakar), around 9h 15m eastbound
Direct flights: Yes — Emirates flies non-stop from Dubai to Dakar. It’s the only carrier we have seen on the non-stop route; one-stop itineraries are usually cheaper.
Fares from Dubai to Dakar (AED)
Dakar is a year-round destination with a mild Atlantic climate, but fares still swing with demand. The July–August diaspora summer and the December holidays are the busiest and priciest, while the shoulder months tend to be the cheapest. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | medium-high |
| February | medium |
| March | low-medium |
| April | low |
| May | medium |
| June | medium |
| July | high |
| August | high |
| September | medium |
| October | low-medium |
| November | medium |
| December | very high |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 9¼–11 hours):
- Emirates — non-stop Dubai → Dakar on the Boeing 777, around five times a week. The only non-stop option, with a full wide-body cabin and generous baggage.
One-stop (often the cheapest, about 13–18 hours total):
- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa — the busiest one-stop routing into West Africa, often the lowest headline fares.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — frequent, well-rated, and a straightforward single connection.
- Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca and Qatar Airways via Doha — solid one-stop alternatives that can undercut the non-stop.
Because the one-stop carriers compete hard for West Africa traffic, they usually undercut the Emirates non-stop by a few hundred dirhams. If time matters most, book the non-stop; if price is the priority, a single stop through Addis Ababa, Istanbul or Casablanca is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–3 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; this long, thin route rarely gets cheaper close to departure.
- Avoid the July–August summer and December — diaspora travel and the holidays make these the busiest and most expensive weeks.
- Travel in the shoulder months (March–April, October) for the lowest fares.
- Consider a one-stop if you’re watching the budget — Ethiopian or Turkish can beat the non-stop, at the cost of a few extra hours.
- Check checked-bag rules: Emirates includes a generous checked allowance to Dakar, but the cheapest one-stop “light” fares may not — compare the all-in price with bags.
Arriving in Dakar
Flights land at Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), which sits well outside the city near Diass, about 45 km east of central Dakar. Budget a real transfer: the toll expressway makes it roughly a 50–70 minute drive, and a taxi or pre-booked car into the centre or the Almadies district runs around AED 90–160 depending on the hour. Agree the fare before setting off, and allow extra time in the evening. Check Senegal’s current visa rules for your nationality before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Dubai to Dakar?
The non-stop Emirates flight takes about 11 hours 05 minutes westbound from Dubai to Dakar, and around 9 hours 15 minutes on the way back with the winds behind you. One-stop itineraries through Addis Ababa, Istanbul or Casablanca typically take 13 to 18 hours in total.
Are there direct flights from Dubai to Dakar?
Yes. Emirates flies non-stop from Dubai to Dakar around five times a week, and it’s the only carrier we have seen on the non-stop route. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines or Royal Air Maroc are often cheaper than the non-stop.
How much does it cost to fly from Dubai to Dakar?
A typical economy return runs about AED 1,800–3,500 depending on the season. The best deals sit around AED 1,700–1,900 in the shoulder months, while the July–August summer and the December holidays are the most expensive.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Dubai to Dakar?
March and April are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid the July–August diaspora summer and December, which are the busiest and most expensive stretches of the year.
Which airlines fly from Dubai to Dakar?
Non-stop: Emirates only, on the Boeing 777. One-stop: Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Royal Air Maroc (via Casablanca) and Qatar Airways (via Doha), which are often competitive on price.
Which airport do I fly into in Dakar?
All flights land at Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), Dakar’s main airport, about 45 km east of the city near Diass. It’s a fair way out, so plan for a 50–70 minute transfer by taxi or pre-booked car along the toll expressway.
How far in advance should I book Dubai to Dakar flights?
Aim to book 2 to 3 months ahead. This is a long, relatively thin route with limited non-stop capacity, so fares tend to climb as departure nears — especially around the summer and December peaks. Early booking almost always wins.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than weekend flights, and travelling out and back on weekdays can trim the fare. With only a handful of non-stops each week, though, being flexible on dates matters more than the exact weekday here.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
