A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antananarivo vs. Dakar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antananarivo or Dakar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Dakar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Dakar?

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

Dakar

Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.


Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Antananarivo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $72, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $61. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Antananarivo and Dakar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antananarivo $30
    Dakar $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antananarivo $60
    Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Dakar

Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo or Dakar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Antananarivo


Hotels in Dakar


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Antananarivo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antananarivo $14
    Dakar $5.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
  • Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
  • DSS Airport Transfer <-> Saly (One way): $66
  • Private Transfer from Dakar to Dakar Airport DSS by Sedan, Minivan or Minibus: $80
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
  • DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Palmarin/Ndangane (two directions): $174
  • Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $204
  • Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $204
  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $209

Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Dakar?

Prices for flights to both Dakar and Antananarivo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antananarivo $29
    Dakar $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

  • Street food and Cooking class tour in Antananarivo: $163
  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:


  • Breakfast
    $4.07

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.

  • Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antananarivo $24
    Dakar $13

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $23
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Antananarivo: $35
  • Private Ambohimanga and Ironwork Shop Tour from Antananarivo: $86
  • Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $136
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $144
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $201
  • Day tour discovery Tour to Ampefy village: $271
  • Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
  • 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $681

Tours and Activities in Dakar

Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $31
  • Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
  • Private City Tour: $108
  • Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
  • Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
  • Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
  • From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $137
  • Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $142
  • Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour : $142
  • Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
  • Full-Day DAKAR city / GOREE Island Tour: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antananarivo $9.65
    Dakar $8.92


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Dakar, we can see that Antananarivo is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Antananarivo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antananarivo than you might in Dakar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Dakar?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo and Dakar, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.