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

Should you visit Dakar or Philadelphia?

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

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

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.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.


Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia is $188. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $32
    Philadelphia $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $64
    Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Philadelphia

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia


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: Philadelphia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.37
    Philadelphia $28

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 Philadelphia

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

  • Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
  • Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $355
  • Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
  • Philadelphia to New York Airport (JFK) Departure Transfer : $191
  • Philadelphia to New York Airport (LGA) Departure Transfer : $180
  • Philadelphia to New York J.F. Kennedy Airport(JFK) - Departure Private Transfer : $173
  • Philadelphia to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Private Transfer : $163
  • Philadelphia to Newark International Airport (EWR) - Departure Private Transfer : $170
  • Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
  • Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL in Luxury SUV: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Philadelphia?

Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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
    Philadelphia $49
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 Philadelphia

For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch (for 3)
    $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia

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

  • Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
  • Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
  • Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
  • 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $61
  • Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $65
  • Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
  • Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
  • Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
  • Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
  • Secret Food Tour: $84
  • Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
  • Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $14
    Philadelphia $28

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 Philadelphia

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Big Bus Tour (family of 3)
    $99

Tours and Activities in Philadelphia

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

  • Philadelphia's Lost Waterfront: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
  • Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
  • Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $7.55
  • The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $8.99
  • Road to Revolution GPS Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour : $9.00
  • Philadelphia In App Walking Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown: $10
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • National Liberty Museum Entrance Ticket: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $9.00
    Philadelphia $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia

Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
  • Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
  • Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
  • Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
  • Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120


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


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Philadelphia?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Philadelphia. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Philadelphia. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

In the summer, Dakar is a little warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dakar in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the summer, Dakar often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Philadelphia. Dakar usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Dakar or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

Both Philadelphia 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, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dakar is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dakar usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dakar 28°C (82°F) 
    Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)

Should I visit Dakar or Philadelphia in the Winter?

Both Philadelphia 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. Dakar is much warmer than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the winter, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.

Dakar usually gets less rain in January than Philadelphia. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dakar 22°C (72°F) 
    Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Dakar or Philadelphia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Philadelphia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Dakar is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dakar in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dakar usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Dakar

Dakar Philadelphia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°F (-1°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 42°F (6°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 52°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 76°F (24°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 56°F (14°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 46°F (8°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 36°F (2°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)