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

Should you visit Dakar or Ottawa?

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

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

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.

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second.  It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Ottawa 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 Ottawa is $123. 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 Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $32
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $64
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Ottawa? 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 Ottawa


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: Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.37
    Ottawa $7.27

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

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

  • Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
  • Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa 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
    Ottawa $17
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ottawa

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

  • Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $71
  • Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $79
  • Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $14
    Ottawa $40

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 Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.46
  • Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
  • Ottawa's Hidden History: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
  • Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $9.00
    Ottawa $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa

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

  • Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12


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


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Ottawa?

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

Ottawa 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 Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Ottawa. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Dakar is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the summer, Dakar often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.

Dakar is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Ottawa 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 Ottawa during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa 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.

It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In the winter, Dakar is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dakar in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the winter, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dakar 22°C (72°F) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.

In April, Dakar is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 21°C (70°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dakar 21°C (70°F) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Dakar

Dakar Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)