A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dar es Salaam vs. Basel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Basel?

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 Basel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Basel?

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.

Basel

Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Basel 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, while the average daily cost in Basel is $328. 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 Basel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $424
    Basel $167
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $848
    Basel $334
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Basel

Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Basel? 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 Dar es Salaam


Hotels in Basel


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 Basel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $13
    Basel $53

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
  • Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) Private Transfer to Dar es Salaam: $50
  • Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
  • Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
  • Dar es salaam Airport Transfer (Private & Group): $60
  • Airport Transfers To/from Dar Es Salaam City Center Or To/from Your Hotel: $85
  • Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $105
  • Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
  • Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
  • Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
  • Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $250

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:

  • Private Transfer: Basel Airport BSL to Zurich in Luxury Van: $282
  • Private direct transfer from Basel to Bern: $254
  • Private direct transfer from Basel to Strasbourg: $251
  • Basel Airport (BSL) to Feldberg - Round Trip Private Transfer: $248
  • Private Transfer Basel Airport BSL to Zurich City in Car or Van: $235
  • Private direct transfer from Basel to Zurich: $222
  • Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Car: $160
  • Private Direct Transfer from Basel to Zurich: $153
  • Private direct transfer from Basel to Colmar with a local driver: $142
  • Basel Airport (BSL) to Badenweiler - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $132
  • Private Transfer Service from Basel to Basel Airport: $132
  • Private Transfer from Basel Airport BSL to Basel City: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Basel?

Prices for flights to both Basel 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dar es Salaam $31
    Basel $123

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basel

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Basel.

  • Self-Guided Food Tour: $49
  • Traditional Swiss Dinner: Cheese Fondue, Appetizers/Dessert: $162
  • Cooking Class: Homemade Italian Lasagna Experience by Locals: $187
  • Homemade Italian Pizza & Focaccia Experience with a Local Family: $192

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Basel $43

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: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $37
  • Visit Sinda island with Samrun Marine Tours: $50
  • Beach Day Tour with Resort Access: $65
  • Nightlife and Local Food Experience in Dar es Salaam: $65
  • Private Mbudya Island Retreat Adventure from Dar Es Salaam: $82
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Basel

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:

  • Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
  • Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $88
  • Basel Chocolate Workshop & Historic Old Town Tour: $115
  • Basel City Sightseeing Bus Tour: $33
  • Basel City Tour: The Essentials: $32
  • Basel City Tour: The Essentials: $62
  • Basel Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.42
  • Basel Farmer's Market, Cheese, Chocolate & Pastry Tour: $116
  • Basel Historical Old Town Tour: $20
  • Basel Historical Old Town Tour: $26
  • Basel Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $59
  • Basel Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.48
    Basel $38

Sample the Local Flavors in Basel

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

  • Alsace wine tour & medieval villages small group guided tour: $368


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Basel, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Basel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Basel 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 Basel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Basel 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 Basel.

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 Basel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Basel?

Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Basel, 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 Basel?

Basel has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dar es Salaam experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Basel averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basel. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (77°F) 
    Basel 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Basel. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Basel during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (78°F) 
    Basel 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Basel. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Basel can be very cold during winter. Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Basel in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Basel. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Basel. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dar es Salaam 28°C (82°F) 
    Basel 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Basel averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Basel. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dar es Salaam 27°C (81°F) 
    Basel 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Basel and Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Basel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)