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

Should you visit Dakar or Florence?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Florence, 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 Florence?

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.

Florence

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Florence or Dakar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $82, while the average daily cost in Florence is $211. 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 Florence in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $35
    Florence $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $70
    Florence $204
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Florence

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Florence? 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 Florence


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: Florence Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.85
    Florence $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $230
  • Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $216
  • Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $212
  • Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Round-Trp Private Transfer: $149
  • Private Transfer Return Airport to Saly: $132
  • DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $132
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $102
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Saly Zone (two directions): $87
  • Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $72
  • Sedan or Van Arrival Private Transfer Dakar Airport DSS to Dakar: $56
  • Private Transfer from Dakar to Dakar Airport DSS by Sedan or Van: $56

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:


  • Taxi Ride Within City
    $9.39
  • Taxi from Airport
    $29
  • In City Parking (Full Day)
    $35
  • Bus Pass (Full Day)
    $5.87
  • Bus From Airport
    $5.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence

Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Florence to Pisa Airport (PSA) - Departure Private Transfer: $136
  • Arrival Transfer Florence Station SMN to Florence by Sedan or Van: $112
  • Bologna Airport Private Transfer from your Hotel in Florence: $241
  • Chianti Wine Tastings and Visit to 3 Cellars with Lunch&Transfer: $210
  • Direct transfer from Florence to Livorno with private driver: $216
  • Florence Airport (FLR) to Chianciano - Arrival Private Transfer: $287
  • Florence Airport (FLR) to Florence hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Florence Airport (FLR) to Florence hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
  • Florence Airport (FLR) to Montecatini Terme - Arrival Transfer: $165
  • Florence Airport (FLR) to Pisa - Arrival Private Transfer: $174
  • Florence Airport Private Departure Transfer: $53
  • Florence Airport Transfers : Florence City to Airport FLR in Business Car: $195

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Florence?

Prices for flights to both Florence 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 $37
    Florence $73
Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:


  • Breakfast
    $4.48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar

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

  • Authentic Jollof Cooking Class: $99
  • Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115

Typical Food Prices in Florence

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:


  • Panini Sandwich
    $7.63
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence

For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pasta-Making Class with Dinner, Wine and... SING!: $17
  • Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $18
  • Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
  • Florence Old City Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing: $34
  • Tuscan cooking class with handmade pasta and wine: $34
  • Florence Old City Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing: $35
  • Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Lunch or Dinner: $35
  • Food Tour of Traditional Eateries and Wine Pairings: $36
  • Premium Pasta and Gelato Cooking Class: $40
  • Street Food Tour with Wine & Local Guide: $40
  • Duomo area Tasting Food Tour with Local Guide: $41
  • Typical Tuscan Dinner in the Heart of Boboli Menu: $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $15
    Florence $35

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 days tour Pink lake- desert of Lompoul 2 people minimum : $263
  • Dakar City Highlight Tour: $155
  • Dakar City Tour Cultural Exploration and Market Experience: $115
  • Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
  • Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
  • Private City Tour: $117
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $33
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $33
  • prepare the thieboudienne for the ultimate local experience: $55
  • private tour "move, eat, act like a local": $82
  • Day tour Somone lagoon and Bandia park Safari: $244

Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence

For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Admission to Uffizi
    $13
  • Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi
    $4.69
  • Firenze Card (for Two)
    $117
  • Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)
    $23
  • Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee
    $7.04
  • Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee
    $8.21

Tours and Activities in Florence

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.

  • The Best tour in Renaissance and Medici Tales: $1.17
  • Florence Free Walking Tour With Local Guide: $2.16
  • Dark Mysteries and Legends Guided Walking Tour: $2.34
  • Free Guided Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $2.34
  • Renaissance and Medici Tales Guided Walking Tour: $2.34
  • The Best tour in Renaissance & Medici Tales - guided by a STORYTELLER: $3.59
  • Florence Walking Tour: $3.59
  • Sunset Walking Tour: $3.61
  • Private Tour to the Laboratory of Artistic Ceramics in Tuscany: $3.61
  • Florence Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.20
  • Smartphone self guided Tour: $4.67
  • AudioZoom into A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $9.81
    Florence $22

Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:


  • Glass of Chianti
    $4.93
  • Bottle of Wine
    $8.80

Sample the Local Flavors in Florence

Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $18
  • Winery tour and wine tasting of organic Chianti wines and extra virgin oil: $24
  • Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $25
  • Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $27
  • Wine Tasting Experience near Florence: $30
  • Wine Tasting at a Vineyard With a Local Winemaker: $33
  • Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $36
  • Private Wine Tasting Experience in the heart of Tuscany: $36
  • Wine Tasting in an Authentic Tuscan Cellar in Radda in Chianti: $38
  • Wine Tasting Experience with Three Types of Tuscan Wine: $41
  • Montefioralle Winery - Tour and Wine Tasting in Chianti: $42
  • Chianti Half Day Wine Tour from Florence: $42


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Florence?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Florence, 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 Florence?

Florence 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 Florence in the Summer?

Both Florence and Dakar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Florence this time of year.

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

In Florence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the summer, Dakar often gets less sunshine than Florence. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets more rain in July than Florence. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Dakar or Florence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Florence. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dakar is generally much warmer than Florence. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Florence during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Florence. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Florence 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Florence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Florence. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Florence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dakar is much warmer than Florence in the winter. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the winter, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Florence. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets less rain in January than Florence. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dakar 22°C (72°F) 
    Florence 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Florence in the Spring?

Both Florence and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Dakar is a little warmer than Florence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dakar in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Florence averages at about 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Florence during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than Florence. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dakar 21°C (70°F) 
    Florence 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Florence and Dakar

Dakar Florence
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)