Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dakar or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Cape Town, 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 Cape Town?
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.
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $61Cape Town $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $96. 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 Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Cape Town $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Cape Town? 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: Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dakar $5.32Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Dakar Airport DSS by Sedan, Minivan or Minibus: $80
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $204
- Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $204
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Palmarin/Ndangane (two directions): $174
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Saly (One way): $66
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $209
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $146
- 1 Day Tastes of Stellenbosch Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $216
- 1 Day West Coast Wonders Tour with Private Transfers: $172
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $53
- 4-7 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $65
- AIRPORT Transfer to and from Cape Town City: $27
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $42
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town): $53
- Airport Transfers: $64
- Airport Transfers: $58
- Airport Transfers @ Cape Town: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town 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
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Food Meals for one dayDakar $19Cape Town $41
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$4.07
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 Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $28
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $40
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $42
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $54
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $55
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $58
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $59
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $60
- From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $60
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $61
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $75
- Cape Town Private Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized : $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dakar $13Cape Town $23
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: $289
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $108
- 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: $137
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $245
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour : $142
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
- Full-Day DAKAR city / GOREE Island Tour: $160
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.18
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.50
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.28
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.28
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.19
- Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.31
- Intaka Island Kayak Tour: $5.31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $8.92Cape Town $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.43
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
- Wine tasting tour : $36
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $37
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $43
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $46
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
- Fullday Wine Tour: $50
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Wine Tram: $63
- Wine Tasting Private Tour through Durbanville Winelands: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town 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 Dakar Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dakar or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Cape Town, 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 Cape Town?
Cape Town 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 Dakar or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Cape Town. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Dakar is a little warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dakar in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Cape Town averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the summer, Dakar often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Dakar usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDakar 28°C (82°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
In October, Dakar is generally much warmer than Cape Townin April. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Cape Townin April. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDakar 28°C (82°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Dakar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Dakar is much warmer than Cape Town in the winter. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the winter, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Cape Townin July. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Dakar usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDakar 22°C (72°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Cape Town. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
In the spring, Dakar is a little warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dakar in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Cape Town averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than Cape Townin October. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDakar 21°C (70°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Dakar
| Dakar | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 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.