Which place is cheaper, Arusha or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Arusha?
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 Arusha can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Arusha?
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.
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Budget Tours to Tanzania, and The Best Luxury Tours to Tanzania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $433Arusha $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $433, while the average daily cost in Arusha is $165. 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 Arusha in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $408Arusha $121
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $816Arusha $242
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Arusha
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Arusha? 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 Arusha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Arusha $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zanzibar Sunset Cruise: Magical Views with Transfers - Zanzibar: $91
- Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Dar es Salaam Airport DAR by Business Car: $100
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $75
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Daressalaam: Airport & Hotel Transfers: $79
- Dar es salaam Airport Transfer (Private & Group): $50
- 1 Day Mikumi Safari (SGR VIP Train Transfer): $356
- 1 Day Mikumi Safari (SGR VIP Train Transfer): $400
- Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar: Airport Transfer to the Hotel: $70
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfer Services & Beyond: $68
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfer: $75
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour.(private Guide And Transfer) 10 Hrs: $200
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $134
- Transfer from Arusha to Karatu: $110
- Airport Transfer from Arusha town: $90
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Airport transfer: $45
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Arusha?
Prices for flights to both Arusha 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 $17Arusha $22
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:
- Tanzania: traditional Swahili cooking class: $45
- Private Swahili Cooking Class: $115
- Swahili food Cooking Experience: $150
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $33
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Guided walking city tour& traditional cooking lesson: $78
- Africa health cuisine food tour: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Arusha $42
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 City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Private Tour with Car and City Bus and Ferry in Dar Es Salaam : $77
- ½-Day Dar City Cycling Tour: $150
- 1 DAY EXPERIENCE SAFARI TO MIKUMI FROM DAR ES SALAAM BY CAR: $370
- 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT MIKUMI SAFARI ADVENTURE FROM DAR ER SALAAM: $480
- 2 DAYS ADVENTURE TO MIKUMI BY LUXURY TRAIN FROM DAR-ES-SALAM: $380
- 2 DAYS SAFARI ADVENTURE TO MIKUMI N. PARK FROM DAR ES SALAAM: $470
- 2 Days 1 Night Amazing Maasai Tour & Mikumi National Park: $400
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
- 2 Days Saadani National park tour Package for 2024 and 2025: $715
- 3 DAYS ADVENTURE FROM DAR-ES-SALAAM TO MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK: $480
- 3 DAYS SAFARI ADVENTURE TO MIKUMI PARK FROM DAR ES SALAAM: $480
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Arusha National Park Guided Day Tour From Arusha: $290
- From Day Tour in Arusha National Park: $279
- Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD : $167
- Materuni Waterfalls,Coffee and Chemka Hotspring Tour: $100
- Materuni waterfalls coffee tour & Chemka hot springs Day trip: $95
- Private Tour to Marangu Waterfalls, Chagga Caves, Coffee tour & Hot Springs: $127
- 1 DAY NGORONGORO CRATER DAY TOUR: $360
- 1 Day Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Plantation Tour: $250
- 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
- 1 Day Tour to Tarangire National Park Tanzania: $480
- 1-Day Ngorongoro Crater Special Tour: $645
- 1-Day Tarangire National Park Tour: $267
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.21Arusha $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Arusha, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Arusha much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arusha would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arusha 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 Arusha.
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 Arusha Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Arusha?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Arusha, 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.
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.