Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Arusha 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 Arusha 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: Arusha or Dakar?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
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 G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $165Dakar $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $165, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $64. 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 Arusha and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $121Dakar $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $242Dakar $68
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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.
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: Arusha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $12Dakar $5.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
- Airport transfer: $45
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $136
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
- Transfer from Arusha to Karatu: $110
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $273
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $68
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Dakar Airport DSS by Sedan, Minivan or Minibus: $83
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $213
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $85
- DSS transfer - DAKAR (one way) : $51
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $125
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $219
- Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Round-Trp Private Transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Arusha 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 dayArusha $22Dakar $20
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $33
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Guided walking city tour& traditional cooking lesson: $78
- Africa health cuisine food tour: $111
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
-
Breakfast$4.26
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: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $42Dakar $14
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Charity Tour of SATINO Daycare & Preschool: $20
- Coffee Tourism & Banana Farms Experience: $20
- Town tour: $25
- Arusha City Walking Tour: $25
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $25
- Arusha city & town walking tour History Cultural souvenir Museum : $25
- Coffee making tour in Arusha: $28
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour. (with local guides): $29
- Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
- Tanzanite experience tour - Tanzanite shopping in Arusha: $35
- Arusha City: Children's Homes Visit & Donation Tour.: $36
- Sunset Tour in Arusha: $36
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bandia Wildlife Safari- private tour. Minimum 2 people to book : $210
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- City Highlights Guided Tour: $167
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $116
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $31
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $31
- Day tour in Dakar museum and monument : $148
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $165
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $264
- From Pink Lake and Jeep Tour with Hotel Pickup: $400
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Dakar $9.33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Dakar, we can see that Arusha 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha 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 Arusha Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Dakar?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha 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.
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.