Which place is cheaper, Lyon or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dakar or Lyon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Lyon, 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 Lyon?
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.
Lyon
Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $61Lyon $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Lyon is $134. 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 Lyon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Lyon $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Lyon $114
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Lyon
Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Lyon? 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: Lyon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dakar $5.37Lyon $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
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Funiculaire$5.57
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Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus$20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $79
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Luxury Van: $93
- Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $86
- Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car: $79
- Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $93
- Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $86
- Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $95
- Excellecar Private Driver - Stations & Airports Transfers: $82
- Group transfer from Lyon airport to City Center: $118
- Lyon : Private Transfer from/to Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport: $118
- Lyon Airport (LYS) to Val d'Isere/Espace Killy: Arrival Transfer: $77
- Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Lyon?
Prices for flights to both Lyon 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 $20Lyon $44
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 Lyon
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
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Pastry$1.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
- Street Food Tour: $65
- Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Lyon Street Food Tour : $66
- 3h Lyon Vegan Food Tour: $66
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $67
- Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $77
- Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $81
- Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
- Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
- Old Town Food Tour: $97
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
- Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dakar $14Lyon $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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
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Lunch for 2$48
Tours and Activities in Lyon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
- Lyon Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $4.84
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Cruise: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
- Private Self-Guided Tour of the Curse Quest of Old Lyon: $8.74
- Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.77
- Lyon Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $9.68
- Old Lyon Walking In App Audio Tour: $9.77
- Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $9.00Lyon $25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
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Drinks for 2$7.29
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Bottle of Wine$16
Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beaujolais Segway Tour with Wine Tasting: $65
- Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
- Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $99
- Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
- From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $107
- Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $107
- Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $107
- From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $107
- Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $107
- Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $108
- Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $109
- Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dakar or Lyon?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Lyon, 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 Lyon?
Lyon 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 Lyon in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.
In the summer, Dakar is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dakar in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dakar usually receives less rain than Lyon. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDakar 28°C (82°F)Lyon 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lyon in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Lyon. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Dakar is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the autumn, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.
Dakar usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDakar 28°C (82°F)Lyon 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lyon in the Winter?
Both Lyon and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Dakar is much warmer than Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dakar usually receives less rain than Lyon. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDakar 22°C (72°F)Lyon 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lyon in the Spring?
Both Lyon and Dakar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Dakar is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dakar in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Lyon averages at about 11°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the spring, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.
Dakar usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDakar 21°C (70°F)Lyon 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Lyon and Dakar
| Dakar | Lyon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.