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

Should you visit Dakar or Paris?

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

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

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.

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Paris 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 Paris is $249. 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 Paris in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $32
    Paris $162
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $64
    Paris $324
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Paris

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Paris? 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 Paris


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: Paris Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.37
    Paris $23

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 Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    $6.86
  • Train from Airport
    $9.64
  • Metro tickets
    $7.29
  • Train
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

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

  • Disneyland Private Transfer - Luxury Minivan Service: $185
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer for 1 to 3 Persons in Paris: $197
  • Private Transfer from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport: $84
  • Private transfer from Beauvais airport to Paris or back: $268
  • Airport Transfer Service Shuttle Disneyland Paris Taxi: $120
  • Airport Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Paris City by Business Car: $101
  • Airport Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Paris City by Luxury EQS: $143
  • Airport Transfer: Paris City to Paris Airport CDG by Luxury EQS: $143
  • Airport transfer from Paris to Disneyland Paris/Parc Asterix (8pax): $185
  • Airport: Private transfer to/from Paris - Charles de Gaulle: $108
  • Arrival Private Transfer Paris Airport CDG to Paris by Sedan : $87
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport Charles de Gaulle OR Orly TO La Defense: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Paris?

Prices for flights to both Paris 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
    Paris $44
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 Paris

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


  • Ice Cream
    $8.57
  • Breakfast
    $7.50
  • Breakfast for 2
    $32
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    $92
  • Dinner
    $61
  • Cheese
    $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

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

  • 1h30 Cooking Activity in English: $22
  • Hard Rock Cafe Paris with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner : $33
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $49
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $52
  • Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $53
  • Seine Cruise Departure from Pont Alexandre III with Dinner Included: $64
  • Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $67
  • Eat, play, love Montmartre: 3H Walking Food Tour -Kids friendly-: $68
  • No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $68
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $68
  • 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $68
  • Le Marais Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $14
    Paris $83

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 Paris

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


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    $19
  • Admission to Pantheon
    $5.36
  • Catacombs (2)
    $25

Tours and Activities in Paris

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

  • Free Walking Tour of Montmartre: $2.15
  • Montmartre Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt Tour: $3.23
  • Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.26
  • Self Guided Tours in Paris with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.28
  • Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.36
  • Paris, Arc de Triomphe: tour with audio guide: $5.38
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.38
  • Père-Lachaise Cemetery audio guide tour: $5.38
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Paris: $5.45
  • Paris Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.46
  • Self-Guided Tour - Père Lachaise Cemetery Audioguide, Paris: $5.46
  • Self-Guided Tour - Louvre Audioguide, Paris: $5.46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $9.00
    Paris $26

Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $11
  • Original Pub Crawl: $16
  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
  • Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $22
  • Paris Bar Crawl: $24
  • Paris Pub Crawl: $25
  • Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
  • Paris Craft gin distillery guided Tour & Tasting in French: $32
  • Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $39
  • Guided Visit and Wine Tasting in a Royal Wine Cellar in Paris: $39
  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $43
  • Paris St Germain Wine Tasting: $43


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


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Paris?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Paris. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Paris, 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 Paris?

Paris 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 Paris in the Summer?

Both Paris 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. Also, most visitors come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dakar is a little warmer than Paris in the summer. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Paris, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the summer, Dakar often gets less sunshine than Paris. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets less rain in July than Paris. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Paris 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Paris in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Paris. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Paris because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dakar is much warmer than Paris. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dakar in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Paris averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Paris during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Paris. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Paris 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Paris in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Paris. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

It's quite cold in Paris in the winter. In January, Dakar is generally much warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 22°C (72°F), and Paris fluctuates around 5°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 Paris. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets less rain in January than Paris. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dakar 22°C (72°F) 
    Paris 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Dakar or Paris in the Spring?

Both Paris 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 travelers come to Paris for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Dakar is much warmer than Paris in the spring. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Paris fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Paris during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than Paris. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dakar 21°C (70°F) 
    Paris 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Paris and Dakar

Dakar Paris
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)