How much does it cost to travel to Senegal?
You should plan to spend around $152 (CFA93,247) per day on your vacation in Senegal. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $19 (CFA11,377) on meals
- $5.11 (CFA3,142) on local transportation
- $57 (CFA35,239) on hotels
A one week trip to Senegal for two people costs, on average, $2,124 (CFA1,305,459). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$1,062
CFA652,730
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$2,124
CFA1,305,459
-
One Month
Per person
$4,551
CFA2,797,412
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,124
CFA1,305,459
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$4,248
CFA2,610,918
-
One Month
For a couple
$9,103
CFA5,594,825
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Senegal cost?
A one week trip to Senegal usually costs around $1,062 (CFA652,730) for one person and $2,124 (CFA1,305,459) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Senegal on average costs around $2,124 (CFA1,305,459) for one person and $4,248 (CFA2,610,918) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Senegal will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Senegal on average costs around $4,551 (CFA2,797,412) for one person and $9,103 (CFA5,594,825) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Senegal expensive to visit?
Senegal is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Africa, Senegal is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Cape Verde or the Seychelles.
For more details, see Is Senegal Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Senegal?
The average Senegal trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Senegal travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
CFA35,239
($57)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
CFA3,142
($5.11)
|
|
Food 2
|
CFA11,377
($19)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
CFA7,769
($13)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
CFA735 -
2,206
($1 - 4)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
CFA2,740 -
8,220
($4 - 13)
|
Accommodation Budget in Senegal
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Senegal is $29 (CFA17,620). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Senegal is $57 (CFA35,239). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in
/homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/budgetreportadv.php on line
1935
Looking for a hotel in Senegal? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Senegal
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Senegal is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.11 (CFA3,142) per person, per day, on local transportation in Senegal.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.11
CFA3,142
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Senegal are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Senegal, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Local Bus
CFA600
-
Taxi Ride
CFA1,600
-
Short Taxi Ride
CFA2,700
Food Budget in Senegal
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Senegal can vary, the average cost of food in Senegal is $19 (CFA11,377) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Senegal should cost around $7.40 (CFA4,551) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Senegal is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$19
CFA11,377
Typical prices for Food in Senegal are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Senegal, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Breakfast
CFA2,500
-
Lunch for Two
CFA2,500
-
Dinner (for 2)
CFA4,000
-
Dinner for Two
CFA5,500
-
Lunch for Two
CFA6,900
Entertainment Budget in Senegal
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Senegal typically cost an average of $13 (CFA7,769) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$13
CFA7,769
Typical prices for Entertainment in Senegal are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Senegal, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Senegal
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Senegal is $2.39 (CFA1,471) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Senegal is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$2.39
CFA1,471
Alcohol Budget in Senegal
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.92 (CFA5,480) on alcoholic beverages in Senegal per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.92
CFA5,480
Water Budget in Senegal
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.45 (CFA889) on bottled water in Senegal per day. The public water in Senegal is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.45
CFA889
Senegal On a Budget
Dakar
This West African country is a diverse area with some interesting things to offer adventurous travelers. The country's capital city of Dakar is a crowded but culturally rich place. It is a convenient entry point for those who are hoping to travel through West Africa. There are frequent international flights that arrive from many major airports for reasonable prices. Once in the country, many visitors choose to head outside of the capital city to experience a more peaceful setting and see what West African village life is like.
Senegal can be a challenging country to travel around. The local transportation is slow and inefficient. Many of the roads are in poor condition and there are frequent transportation strikes which will freeze public transportation for several days at a time. Most of the vehicles are older in age and are prone to frequent breakdowns. You can be assured that if your bus breaks down, almost without fail the driver is able to get it running again. You may be delayed, but you will eventually be moving again. Despite all of these challenges, a trip to Senegal will give you at least some insight into the challenges and thrills of visiting or living in an African country.
Because Senegal is a former French colony, the predominate second language is French. It can be difficult to find someone who speaks English, so it does help if you know a few French words. In larger cities you may find some English speakers, but in the countryside you will get a little farther if you can speak a little French.
Senegal is an interesting country to visit with a lot to offer travelers. There are some beautiful and interesting national parks, but like elsewhere in West Africa, the culture and the people are the true draw. You won't find the large game animals that you might otherwise see in East Africa, but you will find a rich cultural history that is filled with music, color, and religion. Both dance and music are prominent parts of the culture. There are frequent music festivals that take place throughout the year, and if you find yourself in town for any of them, they're well worth a visit. In the countryside you can visit villages that are filled with hut homes. The people are welcoming and will stop to greet you wherever you go. In places like Saint-Louis you can wander through fish markets or watch children playing in the school courtyard. If you want to escape to a nice beach you can head to the resort town of Palmarin, and if you're looking to do some trekking through villages then you can head over to the community of Kedougou.
At A Glance
- Many people are overwhelmed when they first arrive in Senegal, particularly if this is their first experience traveling in Africa. The cities can be chaotic, the bus stations a mess, and the streets are packed full of vendors. If you're a little intimidated when you first arrive then take some time to ease into the experience. If you schedule an airport pickup through your hotel you will have the peace of mind that your ride has been taken care off. Stay a little outside of Dakar and you'll escape some of the overwhelming crowds that are found in the city center.
- Saint-Louis is a wonderful city that has a lot of culture with less of the intensity that you find in Dakar. Head up to Saint-Louis if you're looking for great restaurants, good music, and a nice selection of hotels where you can stay. When you're in the town take plenty of time to wander around and chat with the locals. The kids in particular are fun to play with.
- Public transportation in Senegal can be one of the most challenging experiences. Dakar's bus station is huge and feels disorganized when you first arrive. Look for the small signs that tell you the destination of each bus. If you find yourself lost, a bus driver can often point you in the right direction.
- Buses and shared cars depart for their destination when they are full. Look for the vehicle with the most people in it as it will be the first to leave. You can usually choose between a sept-place, which is a seven seater car, and a bus. Although the buses carry more people they usually fill up quicker because they are cheaper than the sept-places. That being said, the sept-places usually make the trip in a lot less time once they do begin their trip.
- Senegal has many different area's which you can see and experience. Try to take the time to head to a village area like Kedougou where you can see what rural life is like in Senegal. Also spend some time in a city like Dakar or Saint-Louis. If time allows, head to the beach near Palmarin where you can relax in a mellow setting for a few days. This may be much needed after your time navigating this country.
Related:
Looking for a
hostel in Marrakesh,
Cape Town,
Nairobi, or
Zanzibar?
Top Tourist Attractions
Soumbedioune: This is A fascinating fishing beach and market town that is located near the capital city of Dakar. It is best visited during the late afternoon when boats are returning with the day's catch. It offers a unique and festive feel as the colorful boats return with the day's catch.
Ile de Goree: This is a peaceful island town that is frequently visited by those who are interested in the Atlantic slave trade. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are several museums on the island that are worth exploring.
Layen Mausoleum: This is an interesting mausoleum in the fishing village of Yoff. The area has a strong Islamic religion and it is recommended that you dress conservatively and behave appropriately while you're in the area.
Popular Foods
Senegalese food is similar to cuisine found elsewhere in the region, but has a stronger and richer flavor. You'll find some of the best local restaurant options in the capital city of Dakar and in the city of Saint-Louis on the coast. In the smaller towns it is customary for everyone to greet every customer as they arrive in a restaurant. Don't be surprised if every patron of the restaurant pauses and says hello to each new customer as they arrive.
Yassa Poulet:This is a delicious mustard and onion based chicken dish that is usually served with rice. The chicken is often grilled and served with the mustard and onion based sauce on top.
Ceebu Jen: This is the national dish of Senegal. It is a fish and rice dish served that is served with either white or red sauce. It is actually descended from the paella dish and is occasionally made with beef, although this is not the norm.
Maafe: This is a favorite Senegalese dish that is made with a peanut and meat based sauce that is served over rice. It has the consistency of a stew and the flavor that is comparable to peanut butter.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.