There is no non-stop flight from London to Dakar, so every itinerary connects once — most efficiently through a southern-European or North-African hub such as Lisbon, Madrid, Casablanca or Paris. The good news is that competition on those routings keeps fares to Senegal genuinely affordable. This guide covers the realistic routings, what a fair return costs in pounds, and how to save.
Route: London (LGW / LHR / STN) → Dakar, Blaise Diagne (DSS)
Distance: approximately 4,200 km (2,600 miles)
Typical journey time: about 8–13 hours with one stop
Direct flights: No — there are no non-stop London–Dakar flights. The quickest one-stop routings go via Lisbon (TAP), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), Madrid or Barcelona (Vueling), and Paris (Air France).
Fares from London to Dakar (GBP)
Dakar has a comfortable dry season from November to May — the most popular time to visit and the busiest for flights — and a hotter, wetter green season from June to October when fares tend to soften. Christmas and the European summer holidays also lift prices. 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 | high (dry season) |
| February | high |
| March | medium-high |
| April | medium |
| May | medium |
| June | low |
| July | medium (summer holidays) |
| August | medium |
| September | low |
| October | low |
| November | medium (dry season starts) |
| December | very high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking (London–Dakar): a genuinely good return lands around £190–£270, a typical fair price is roughly £320, and anything under about £270 is worth booking quickly. The strongest deals we’ve tracked come out of Gatwick and Stansted on the European low-cost connections.
Airlines on this route
Every option connects once. The European and North-African hubs are usually the quickest and best value:
- TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon — a frequent, well-timed one-stop and often the smoothest full-service routing.
- Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca — a strong African-network carrier with competitive fares to Dakar.
- Vueling via Barcelona or Madrid — the low-cost option that often produces the very cheapest fares; watch the bag rules.
- Air France via Paris CDG — a comfortable connection with good frequency.
- Iberia via Madrid and Brussels Airlines via Brussels — further reliable one-stop choices, and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul for a longer but well-priced routing.
Because these carriers compete hard, headline fares to Dakar are often lower than to comparable West-African cities. If price is the priority, the low-cost European connections through Iberia’s and Vueling’s Spanish hubs are usually the sweet spot; for comfort and simpler timings, TAP or Air France.
When to book & how to save
- Book 1–3 months ahead. One-stop fares to Dakar rarely improve at the last minute, especially over the November–May dry season and Christmas.
- Travel in the green season (June–October) for the lowest fares — it’s hotter and more humid, but far quieter and cheaper.
- Consider a low-cost connection through Lisbon, Madrid or Barcelona for the best prices, but check the checked-bag charge and the connection time.
- Be flexible on London airport: Gatwick and Stansted often price below Heathrow on this route.
- Allow a sensible layover: a self-connect on separate tickets can look cheap but leaves you exposed if the first leg is late — a single through-ticket is safer.
Arriving in Dakar
Flights land at Blaise Diagne International (DSS), which replaced the old city airport in 2017 and sits about 45 km east of central Dakar near Diass. There’s no rail link, so the usual options are the official airport taxi or a pre-booked transfer (roughly £25–£40 into the city, agree the fare first), or the airport shuttle bus. The new toll motorway makes the drive to the city around 45–60 minutes outside peak hours. Senegal uses the West African CFA franc, so carry some local cash for the taxi and tips.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from London to Dakar?
No. There are currently no non-stop flights between London and Dakar. Every itinerary connects at least once — the quickest routings go via Lisbon (TAP), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), Madrid or Barcelona (Vueling and Iberia) or Paris (Air France).
How long is the flight from London to Dakar?
With one stop, the total journey typically takes 8 to 13 hours depending on the connection and layover. A tight routing through Lisbon or Casablanca can be around 8–9 hours gate to gate; longer connections push toward 13 hours.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Dakar?
A typical economy return runs about £220–£400. Good deals dip to around £190–£270, usually in the green season (June–October) or during airline sales, while the December and dry-season peaks push toward £450.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Dakar?
September and October are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid the November–May dry season and the Christmas holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Dakar?
TAP Air Portugal (via Lisbon), Royal Air Maroc (via Casablanca), Vueling and Iberia (via Spain), Air France (via Paris) and Brussels Airlines (via Brussels), with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul as a longer alternative. The low-cost Spanish connections are often competitive on price.
Which airport do I fly into in Dakar?
You arrive at Blaise Diagne International (DSS), Senegal’s main gateway, about 45 km east of the city near Diass. It replaced the old Léopold Sédar Senghor airport (DKR) in 2017, so book transfers to DSS, not the closed city airport.
How far in advance should I book London to Dakar flights?
Aim to book 1 to 3 months ahead. One-stop fares tend to climb closer to departure, particularly for the November–May dry season and the Christmas peak, so booking early usually saves money.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than weekend flights, and flying out and back on weekdays save a little on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to trim the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
