For travelers with a layover in St. Louis, the proximity of XLS to the city center is a real gift. Getting into town takes around 50 minutes via Taxi / Car Rapide, and we’ve mapped out the logistics so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring.
Essential Info Before You Head Out
Before heading into St. Louis, take a moment to confirm the basics:
- Visa status: Entry rules for Senegal vary by nationality. If you’re unsure, check with your airline or the immigration desk before leaving the secure area.
- Getting there: St. Louis is roughly 50 minutes from XLS via Taxi / Car Rapide. Plan to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before your next departure.
- Money: You’ll be spending in XOF. A travel-friendly debit card with no foreign transaction fees will save you money here.
Getting from XLS to St. Louis
From XLS, the Taxi / Car Rapide gets you to St. Louis in around 50 minutes. That’s the option most travelers with a time constraint should pick.
Taxis and ride-hailing services are available too (expect roughly 70 minutes), but they cost more and are at the mercy of traffic. Unless you’re traveling with heavy luggage or in a group, the Taxi / Car Rapide offers the best balance of speed, cost, and reliability.
Estimated Costs for a Quick Visit
Quick budget math for your St. Louis layover:
| Expense | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Round-trip transport | ~$5 |
| Meal | ~$8 |
| Buffer / extras | ~$10 |
| Total | ~$23 |
If you’re only out for a few hours, you might not need much cash at all — many places accept contactless payments.
What’s Worth Seeing in St. Louis
If you head into St. Louis, here are two things worth checking out:
Pont Faidherbe and Ãle de Saint-Louis is a solid choice if you want to get a feel for the area. Accessible and enjoyable even on a short visit.
Guet N’Dar Fishing Village is another option that’s easy to fit into a short visit. Worth checking out if your schedule allows.
Not every layover calls for a city trip. If you’re staying at XLS, check out Airport Waiting Area & Tarmac View or Saint-Louis Airport Souvenir Shop to keep yourself occupied.
Where to Grab a Meal
For food in St. Louis, local travelers recommend La Croisière Restaurant. If you have time for a second stop, Hôtel de la Poste Restaurant is another popular pick.
Back at XLS, Aéroport de Saint-Louis Café is the go-to. Airport Local Snack Corner rounds out your in-terminal options.
Bag Storage Near XLS
Luggage storage options at XLS can vary. Rather than arriving and hoping for the best, look up nearby storage on platforms like Bounce or Stasher ahead of time.
Another option: if you’re only in St. Louis for a couple of hours, a compact bag that you can carry comfortably saves you the hassle altogether.
Staying Connected
Free WiFi is generally available at XLS, which is handy for checking maps and transport schedules. For connectivity in St. Louis itself, an eSIM is the easiest route — services like Airalo offer data plans for Senegal that you can activate straight from your phone, no physical SIM swap needed.
Rest Areas & Lounges
Sometimes the best layover plan is no plan at all. If you need sleep at XLS, scope out the quieter gate areas first. Noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask go a long way in a busy terminal.
Lounge access is another option if you want a real seat and maybe a shower. Check Priority Pass or ask at the information desk about day-use rates.
Final Thoughts
There you have it — everything you need to make a layover in St. Louis count. The hardest part is usually just deciding to leave XLS. Once you do, you’ll be glad you did.
Keep your flight info handy, budget a buffer for the return, and enjoy the ride.
Nearby Layover Guides
Disclaimer: Visa rules, transport schedules, and prices change. Always verify details with official sources and your airline before leaving the airport.