Which place is cheaper, Lisbon or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dakar or Lisbon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?
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.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $61Lisbon $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Lisbon is $140. 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 Lisbon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Lisbon $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Lisbon $126
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Lisbon
Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Lisbon? 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dakar $5.37Lisbon $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$6.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Private Transfer to Óbidos | Caldas da Rainha: $56
- Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $33
- Airport Private Transfer to Ericeira | Torres Vedras | Campo Real: $55
- Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $23
- Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $60
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $66
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $95
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Business Car: $66
- Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure with Transfer from Lisbon: $87
- Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $94
- Cascais transfer: Private Transfer to/from Cascais or Lisbon: $59
- Departure Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Business Car: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Lisbon?
Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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 $20Lisbon $45
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$4.11
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 Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $54
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $54
- Cooking Pastel de Nata with a glass of wine !: $54
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $54
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dakar $14Lisbon $26
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: $290
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $109
- 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: $138
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $247
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.08
- Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
- Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.29
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.26
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.38
- Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.38
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.38
- Graça Church Entry Ticket with Drink on the Terrace: $5.38
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour From Príncipe Real to Downtown Lisbon: $5.53
- Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $9.00Lisbon $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $17
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $19
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Shots and Drinking Games: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dakar or Lisbon?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?
Lisbon 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 Lisbon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Lisbon. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Dakar is generally a little warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the summer, Dakar often gets less sunshine than Lisbon. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun.
Dakar usually gets more rain in July than Lisbon. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDakar 28°C (82°F)Lisbon 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lisbon in the Autumn?
Both Lisbon and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Dakar is a little warmer than Lisbon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Lisbon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Lisbon during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDakar 28°C (82°F)Lisbon 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lisbon in the Winter?
Both Lisbon 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
In the winter, Dakar is much warmer than Lisbon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dakar in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Lisbon averages at about 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the winter, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Lisbon. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun.
Lisbon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dakar usually gets less rain in January than Lisbon. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDakar 22°C (72°F)Lisbon 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lisbon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Lisbon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Dakar is generally a little warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 21°C (70°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Lisbon during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDakar 21°C (70°F)Lisbon 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Lisbon and Dakar
| Dakar | Lisbon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.