Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Senegal take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
Public transport like cars rapides and buses in Senegal’s cities don’t take cards at all. The metro opening was recent, and tickets are expected to be bought with cash or a prepaid card, but cards like Visa aren’t really used on the system. Carry cash for now to avoid problems.
I took buses in Senegal and never saw anyone use cards-cash only, no question. Metro Dakar might be newer but still follows tradition with cash payments. Always carry enough small notes (around 200-500 CFA francs) so you can pay the driver directly without hassle.
When I used buses in Dakar, it was all small cash fares, no card machines. The new Dakar metro system is limited and likely cash-based for tickets as well. Prepare to carry West African CFA francs in small bills for exact fares and avoid trying to use cards on public transport.
Senegal’s Dakar has a mix of public transport, but buses and metros definitely stick to cash. The Dakar Express bus and local buses don’t accept cards. Fares are super cheap, a few hundred CFA francs, and drivers expect cash payment on boarding. Metro Dakar is still just starting and should follow that cash rule too when fully operational.