Bamako–Kayes Passenger Train

Société de patrimoine ferro-viaire du Mali (Sopafe)
Mali
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The Journey

Navigate from Bamako Central Station to Kayes Station across a span of 490km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Sahel Geography
  • Kita Station Stop (railway museum)
  • Kita Botanical Gardens
  • Rural Malian Village Life
  • Dakar-Niger Railway Heritage
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    16 hours

  • Distance

    490 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Diesel locomotives (specific class varies by rotation)

Locomotive Weight

Varies by locomotive class

Track Gauge

1,000 mm (Metre gauge)

Braking Technology

Vacuum brake system on heritage rolling stock

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 490km single-track metre gauge

  • 1920s-era heritage track infrastructure

  • Extremely slow speeds (under 30 km/h average)

  • Limited passing loops

  • Extreme heat operational challenges

  • Sahel dust and sand ingress on tracks

Line length

490 km

Journey time

~16 hours (highly variable)

Service resumption

June 2023 (resumed after 5-year suspension)

Stations

Bamako, Koulikoro, Banamba, Toukoto, Kita, Bembo, Sadiola, Koudidi, Kayes

Status

Operational (Mali's only active passenger rail service)

Average speed

Under 30 km/h due to heritage track

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    16 hours

  • Distance

    490 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable

Official Booking Provider