Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dakar or Cologne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Cologne, 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 Cologne?
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.
Cologne
Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $61Cologne $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. 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 Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Cologne $97
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Cologne? 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: Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dakar $5.37Cologne $20
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne 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 dayDakar $20Cologne $54
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
-
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
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
-
Dinner$15
-
Donner Kebab$4.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $484
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dakar $14Cologne $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
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.22
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.23
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.31
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.92
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
- Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.52
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Cologne Self Guided Walking Tour Discovering the Horrors of WWII: $7.63
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $9.00Cologne $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
- Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $30
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
- Cologne-Nippes: Gourmet wine tasting with cheese platter: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dakar is in Africa and Cologne is in Europe, 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne 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 Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dakar or Cologne?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Cologne, 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 Cologne?
Cologne 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 Cologne in the Summer?
Both Cologne and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Dakar is generally a little warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dakar usually receives less rain than Cologne. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDakar 28°C (82°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cologne in the Autumn?
Both Cologne and Dakar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Dakar is much warmer than Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the autumn, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.
Dakar usually gets less rain in October than Cologne. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDakar 28°C (82°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cologne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Cologne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.
It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In the winter, Dakar is much warmer than Cologne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dakar in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Cologne averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during winter. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dakar usually receives less rain than Cologne. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDakar 22°C (72°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cologne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Cologne. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Dakar is generally much warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 21°C (70°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the spring, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.
Dakar usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDakar 21°C (70°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Dakar
| Dakar | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.