Train travel in Mali is limited to only one passenger train. Railway line from Kayes to Dakar was built in colonial era, when present day Mali was a part of French Western Africa. In 1880s there was a plan to build a line from Kayes to Bamako. The line 596 km in length reached Bamako in 1904, the same year was opened a branch from Bamako to Koulikoro.
Last update: 29.01.2024
In 1924 railway line from Bamako to Dakar was inaugurated, known as Chemin de Fer Dakar-Niger. Senegal and Mali gained their independence in 1960 and existing railway line was divided between two countries. Within Mali lies 45 kilometers of this line.
In 2018 all railway services in Mali was ceased due to lack of money and poor state of the railway infrastructure.
The Dakar – Bamako international train stopped in 2009. The train was famous among travelers for old carriages and very slow ride, but was one of the few international passenger trains in Africa.
Train travel in Mali – current situation
On June 2023 was reinstated passenger train Bamako – Kayes. The train runs twice a week or three times a week. The train is operated by Société de patrimoine ferroviaire du Mali (Sopafe). It’s a daytime train comprised of first class (premiere voiture) and second class (deuxieme voiture) carriages. Distance between Bamako and Kayes is approximately 490 km. The journey takes 16 hour, because train stops at all stops in the middle of nowhere.
There are plans to revival of the abandoned 1,222km railway line between Dakar and Bamako and reinstate passenger trains between Bamako and Dakar.
www.fahrplancenter.com – Bamako – Kayes train timetable on fahrplancenter.net
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