Transportation in Timbuktu

Timbuktu's transport is built for sand rather than asphalt. 4×4 pickups act as shared taxis, leaving when full from the Grand Marché and the river landing; they're cheap, dusty, and the only reliable way to reach the desert shrines. For short hops inside town, mopeds with a passenger pad are everywhere, negotiate before you swing a leg over, and agree on a landmark, not an address, because street signs are decorative. A private 4×4 is a splurge but worth it if you're carrying luggage or heading out to the salt camps. First-timers should know there's no formal bus station. Departures happen at dawn and mid-afternoon, so show up early or you'll wait until tomorrow. Don't fall for the "official guide" who meets the river pirogue, he'll simply flag the same shared pickup you could board yourself for a fraction of the price. From the airport, the only fixed option is a small fleet of white minibuses that wait for each flight; they're moderate in price and drop at the main square. If you arrive after the last minibus has gone, the lone taxi stand beside the terminal is your fallback, set the fare before the doors close, because meters don't exist and darkness doubles the asking price.