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

Should you visit Dakar or London?

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

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

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.

London

The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.

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 United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, London or Dakar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in London is $238. 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 London in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $32
    London $154
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $64
    London $308
Compare Hotels in Dakar and London

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or London? 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 London


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: London Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.37
    London $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
  • Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
  • DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
  • Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
  • AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49

Typical Local Transportation Prices in London

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:


  • Taxi Ride
    $18
  • Heathrow Express
    $23
  • Luggage Storage
    $10
  • London Map
    $1.62
  • Oyster Card
    $45
  • Train to Gatwick Airport (2)
    $27
  • Oyster Card
    $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in London

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

  • Chauffeur Car Transfer Services from London To Gatwick Airport: $292
  • Chauffeur Limo Transfer Services from Heathrow Airport To London: $229
  • "Private Group Transfer: Heathrow Airport to City of London": $173
  • "Private Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Central London Hotel": $70
  • "Private Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Dover Cruise Port": $147
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bath".: $163
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bournemouth".: $153
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Cambridge.": $107
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Crawley.": $94
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Dorking.": $83
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Dorking.": $82
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Guildford.": $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or London?

Prices for flights to both London 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 $20
    London $43
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 London

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


  • Lunch at Starbucks
    $16
  • Tea
    $7.53
  • Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
    $49
  • Morning Tea
    $7.97
  • Pastry
    $6.27
  • Sushi Dinner for One
    $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London

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

  • Borough Market Self-guided food tour: $5.76
  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
  • Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
  • Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
  • Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Pizza Making Cookery Class: $53
  • No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $68
  • African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
  • Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $74
  • Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $74
  • Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $88
  • Traditional English Walking Food Tour With London Food Tours: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $14
    London $41

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in London

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


  • Two Tickets to a Concert
    $104
  • London Symphony Orchestra
    $43
  • London Pass
    $59
  • Comedy Show
    $10

Tours and Activities in London

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

  • London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $3.26
  • London Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.28
  • Harry Potter Movie Locations Self Walking Tour: $3.77
  • Jack the Ripper Self Guided Audio Tour in London: $4.91
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $5.45
  • Soho's Contribution to Health Care History Walking Audio Tour: $5.48
  • Bloomsbury's Contribution to Health Care History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.48
  • Covent Garden: A Self-Guided Photography Tour : $5.54
  • Brick Lane: A self-guided audio tour of East London's vibrant jewel: $5.54
  • Camden Town's Quirky Characters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.54
  • London Lights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Cultural Capital of the World: $5.54
  • Secret An audio tour about the heritage of the city's Russian immigrants: $5.54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $9.00
    London $19

Sample the Local Flavors in London

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:

  • Self Guided Audio Tour in London Old Pub Crawl: $7.63
  • Fun London Pub Crawl Treasure Hunt with 20% off ALL drinks!: $13
  • 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
  • Haunted London Pub Walking Tour: $20
  • 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $24
  • Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
  • Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
  • Guided Historic Pub Tour (London): $27
  • Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
  • Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
  • Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31


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


Which is Bigger, Dakar or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and London, 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 London?

London 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 London in the Summer?

Both London 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 summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dakar is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the summer, Dakar often gets more sunshine than London. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets more rain in July than London. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    London 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Dakar or London in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and London. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to London this time of year.

Dakar is much warmer than London in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than London. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    London 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Dakar or London in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dakar as well as London. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in London. In the winter, Dakar is much warmer than London. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dakar in January average around 22°C (72°F), and London averages at about 4°C (40°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 London. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets less rain in January than London. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dakar 22°C (72°F) 
    London 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Dakar or London in the Spring?

Both London 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, many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Dakar is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 21°C (70°F), and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than London during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than London. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dakar 21°C (70°F) 
    London 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for London and Dakar

Dakar London
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)