Which place is cheaper, Accra or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Accra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Accra can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Accra?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
Accra
Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, and The Best Safaris in Ghana.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesAccra Prices
Ghana Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $462Accra $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, while the average daily cost in Accra is $52. 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 Dar es Salaam and Accra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Accra $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Accra $44
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Accra
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Accra? 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Accra $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $10
- Dar Es Salaam Transfer from Airport Hotel Ferry or Train: $55
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $104
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:
- Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187
- Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $130
- Airport & City Transfers: $100
- Accra Private Airport Transfer: Zero-Stress Meet & Greet: $80
- Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $76
- Arrival & Departure Airport Hotel Transfers: $70
- Kotoka Airport Private Transfer within Accra City: $50
- Private Accra Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $33
- From Private Airport Transfer, Pickup & Drop-off Services: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Accra?
Prices for flights to both Accra and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $31Accra $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam
For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dar es Salaam Old Town Walking and Food Tour With Transfers: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.
- Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
- Accra Osu Night Market Food Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $80
- Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
- Private 1 to 2 Hours Street Food Tour in Ghana: $100
- Private Ghanaian Cooking Class at Accra's Premier Food Hub: $200
- Food Tour in Accra: $291
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Accra $3.96
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Dar es Salaam Architectural Guided Walking Tour and History: $22
- Dar es Salaam City Tour: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $38
- Nightlife and Local Food Experience in Dar es Salaam: $65
- Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Private Dar es Salaam Experience: Culture & Local Life: $99
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $104
- Zanzibar Spice Tour: $109
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bongoyo Island Full Day Tour from Dar Es Salaam: $120
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Accra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:
- 1 Day Accra City Tour: $81
- 2 Days Exciting Accra and Cape Coast City Tour: $250
- 2-Day Accra & Cape Coast Tour: $200
- 3.5 Hours Private City Tour of Accra: $120
- Aburi Botanic Gardens, Boti Falls,Umbrella Rock & Cocoa Farm Tour: $150
- Aburi Botanical Gardens and Asenema Waterfalls Day Tour: $165
- Aburi Botanical Gardens and Cocoa farm - Private Tour: $168
- Accra - Ada Aqua Safari - Friendly Tours: $230
- Accra City (Private Tour): $110
- Accra City Day Tour – History,Culture,Markets&Independence Square: $40
- Accra City Experience: $120
- Accra City Half Day Tour Experience of a Lifetime: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.48Accra $5.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Accra, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Accra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Accra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Accra?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Accra. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Accra, 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 Dar es Salaam or Accra?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Accra in the Summer?
Both Accra and Dar es Salaam during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Accra year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Accra. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Accra receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Accra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Accra averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Accra 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Accra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Accra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Accra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Accra. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Accra receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Accra. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Accra fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Accra 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Accra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Accra. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Accra throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Accra. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Accra receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Accra in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Accra fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Accra 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Accra in the Spring?
Both Accra and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Accra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Accra. It's quite rainy in Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Accra. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Accra receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Accra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Accra averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Accra 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Accra and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Accra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.