Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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: Bucharest or Dakar?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $139Dakar $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $139, 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 Bucharest and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Dakar $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Dakar $5.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest to Drobeta Turnu Severin - Private Transfer - Driver and Car: $208
- ATV Adrenaline Race in Carpathian with Private Transfer: $142
- Airport Bucharest Transfer: $54
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $44
- Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel: $65
- Airport Transfer - Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
- Airport Transfer Bucharest - Brasov ,Brasov- Bucharest: $66
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $44
- Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car: $148
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van: $163
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $59Dakar $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $54
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $64
- Cooking Class traditional food: $66
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $87
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $99
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $116
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $203
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $229
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$4.11
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.Bucharest $15Dakar $14
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $5.37
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $16
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $18
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
- Virtual Reality Experience: $21
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $22
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $22
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
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
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
- Private City Tour: $109
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
- Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $142
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.28Dakar $9.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Dakar, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Dakar?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Dakar?
Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Dakar in the Summer?
Both Dakar and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Bucharest is generally cooler than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°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 Bucharest. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Dakar during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Dakar. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Dakar in the Autumn?
Both Dakar and Bucharest during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
Bucharest is much colder than Dakar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets more rain in October than Dakar. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Dakar in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Dakar. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Dakar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Dakar averages at about 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Dakar. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Dakar in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Dakar. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
In April, Bucharest is generally much colder than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. In the spring, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets more rain in April than Dakar. Bucharest gets 46 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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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.