Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Dakar. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Dakar?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Dakar €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Dakar is €57. 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 Athens and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Dakar €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Dakar €60
Compare Hotels in Athens and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Dakar €4.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Athens Airport To Piraeus Port / Hotel Private Luxury Transfer : $44
- Private Transfer from /to Athens International Airport: $32
- Transfer from Athens-Pireaus-Athens Airport to Corinth-Loutraki-Agioi Theodoroi: $218
- "Luxurious Transfer": $48
- A mini Embark / Disembark Tour In Athens With Transfers from airport / port.: $259
- AIRPORT TRANSFER in Athens : $28
- Accessible Private Transfer WAV from Athens Airport to Port Rafina: $43
- Airport Private Transfers: $79
- Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece: $28
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Car: $127
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Van: $113
- Airport Transfer: Athens to Athens Airport ATH by Business Car: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Athens 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
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Food Meals for one dayAthens €37Dakar €18
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $26
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $52
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Greek Spirits & Meze, Food Tour in Athens: $62
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $64
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $64
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast€3.81
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Dakar €13
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Self-guided First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.23
- Self Guided Tour In Athens With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
- Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour into Byzantine Gems: $4.63
- Acropolis Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.70
- 360 Virtual tour of Ancient Athens: $6.00
- Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology: Entry Ticket: $6.46
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.54
- Ancient Agora of Athens Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Ancient Agora of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Ancient Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
- South Slope of the Acropolis audiovisual self-guided tour: $7.52
- Ancient Agora: Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.52
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- 2-day tour Lac rose- desert of Lompoul: $290
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $109
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $247
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Dakar €8.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Premium Wine Tastings: $36
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- 1 Hour Private Four Greek Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Athens: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $54
- Greek food and wine tasting: $54
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $54
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $61
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Dakar, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Dakar is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Dakar?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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.
When is the best time to visit Athens or Dakar?
Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dakar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Athens or Dakar in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Dakar. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Dakar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Dakar averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Dakar. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Dakar. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Athens or Dakar in the Autumn?
Both Dakar and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Athens is generally cooler than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Athens usually receives more rain than Dakar. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Athens or Dakar in the Winter?
Both Dakar and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
Athens is much colder than Dakar in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Dakar fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in January than Dakar. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Athens or Dakar in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Dakar. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Athens is cooler than Dakar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Dakar averages at about 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Athens usually receives more rain than Dakar. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Athens
| Athens | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.