Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dakar or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Kingston, 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 Kingston?
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.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $61Kingston $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $107. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Kingston $63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Kingston? 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: Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dakar $5.37Kingston $29
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 Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $168
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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 $20Kingston $26
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dakar $14Kingston $13
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 Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
- Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
- Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
- Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
- Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $9.00Kingston $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Kingston, we can see that Kingston 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 Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston 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 Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dakar or Kingston?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
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 Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Dakar usually receives more rain than Kingston. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during summer. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dakar is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDakar 28°C (82°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dakar usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the autumn, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Kingston. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.
Dakar is around the same temperature as Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDakar 28°C (82°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Dakar usually receives less rain than Kingston. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Dakar is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dakar in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDakar 22°C (72°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Kingston. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Dakar usually gets less rain in April than Kingston. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the spring, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Kingston. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
In April, Dakar is generally cooler than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 21°C (70°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDakar 21°C (70°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Dakar
| Dakar | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.