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

Should you visit Dakar or Accra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Accra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dakar or Accra?

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.

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, and The Best Safaris in Ghana.


Which place is cheaper, Accra or Dakar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Accra is $38. 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 Dakar and Accra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $32
    Accra $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $64
    Accra $38
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Accra

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Accra? 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 Dakar


Hotels in Accra


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: Accra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.32
    Accra $16

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Accra Airport Hotel City Transfers: $58
  • Airport & City Transfers: $120
  • Arrival Transfer From Accra Airport To Hotel: $100
  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $130
  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $115
  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Accra?

Prices for flights to both Accra and Dakar 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
    Dakar $19
    Accra $9.47
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

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

  • Private Ghanaian Cuisine Cooking Class: $40
  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Cooking Class: $75
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Cooking Class with Auntie KK in Osu: $89
  • Accra Street Food Tour: Makola Market Tour With Full Lunch: $93
  • Ghanaian Cooking Class Authentic Tour: $100
  • Private Crescendo Foods Cooking Class Experience in Accra: $116
  • Savor & Learn: Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Experience: $128
  • Ghanaian Local Foods Cooking Class: $216
  • Food Tour in Accra: $271

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $13
    Accra $3.39

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

Tours and Activities in Accra

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

  • Quabus Accra City Tour : $20
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $41
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $58
  • Half-Day Private Tour of Nima Market with Pick Up: $65
  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $71
  • Accra Central: Street Food Walking Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $72
  • Accra City Tour Experience: $75
  • Walking Tour of Accra: $75
  • Experience Ghana in a Tailored Accra City Tour.: $79
  • Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day: $80
  • Accra Detailed City Tour: $80
  • The Agbogbloshie (Accra E-waste and Recycling experience) Private Tour: $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $8.92
    Accra $4.86


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Accra, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Dakar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dakar than you might in Accra.

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


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Accra?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Accra. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Accra, 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 Dakar or Accra?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Dakar or Accra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Accra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Accra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Dakar usually receives less rain than Accra. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Accra receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Dakar is a little warmer than Accra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dakar in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Accra averages at about 25°C (77°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Accra 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Accra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Accra. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Accra throughout the year.

Dakar usually gets less rain in October than Accra. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Accra receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Dakar is generally around the same temperature as Accra. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Accra fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Accra 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Accra in the Winter?

Both Accra and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Accra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Dakar usually receives less rain than Accra. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Accra receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Dakar is cooler than Accra in the winter. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Accra fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dakar 22°C (72°F) 
    Accra 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Accra in the Spring?

Both Accra and Dakar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Accra year-round.

Accra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dakar usually gets less rain in April than Accra. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Accra receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Dakar is cooler than Accra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dakar in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Accra averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dakar 21°C (70°F) 
    Accra 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Accra and Dakar

Dakar Accra
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)