Which place is cheaper, Beijing 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 Beijing?
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 Beijing can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Beijing?
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.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $462Beijing $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $96. 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 Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Beijing $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Beijing $84
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Beijing? 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 Beijing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Beijing $8.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dar Es Salaam Transfer from Airport Hotel Ferry or Train: $55
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Dar es salaam Airport Transfer (Private & Group): $60
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) Private Transfer to Dar es Salaam: $50
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $104
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $252
- Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$5.02
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Train from Airport for Two$7.35
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Taxi to Hotel$8.83
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2 Metro Passes$2.35
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Metro$0.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Pivate Transfer To Datong Yungang Grottoes From Beijing: $598
- Beijing Layover Private Tour: City Highlights With Airport Transfer: $300
- Beijing Acrobatics Show And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $299
- Beijing Great Wall and Imperial Palace Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $299
- Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
- Private Day Tour of Beijing City Overview with Airport Transfer: $285
- Beijing Private Transfer: Mutianyu Great Wall Slow-Paced Visit: $280
- Private Transfer to Beidaihe Summer Resort from Beijing: $272
- Private Transfer To Guyaju Ancient Cave(With Options): $269
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
- Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing 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 $31Beijing $36
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
- Market Tour & Cooking Class in Morogoro including Hotel Transfers: $98
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.88
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.35
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.94
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Watermelon$2.06
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$18
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Two Popsicles$0.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $25
- Beijing Dumpling Cooking Class Private Courtyard Cafe: $40
- Beijing Food Tour: $40
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Beijing $26
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
- Beach Day Tour with Resort Access: $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
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $104
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam: $125
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Visit all attractive places: $130
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.83
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Two Opera Tickets$63
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$10
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Forbidden City (for 2)$18
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Forbidden City Tickets$18
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$12
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall: $150
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Lama Temple,Summer Palace and Hutong Rickshaw: $120
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Hutong Rickshaw Riding: $277
- 1-Day Beijing tour to Temple of Heaven,Hutong Tour,Lama Temple & Summer Palace: $240
- 1-Day Great Wall of China Tours from Beijing Capital Airport to Mutianyu: $269
- 1-Day Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System Tour: $175
- 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
- 1-Day Private Tour: Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking with the lunch from Beijing: $213
- 1-Day Private Tour: Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour from Beijing: $256
- 1-Day Self-Guided Simatai and Gubei Town Night Tour from Beijing: $149
- 1Day Beijing Palace Museum City park Tour: $120
- 2 Day Private Xian Tour from Beijing: $268
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.48Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Beijing, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Beijing is in Asia, 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.
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 Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dar es Salaam. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Beijing, 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 Beijing?
Beijing 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 Beijing in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Beijing. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Beijing. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Beijing. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Beijing. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Beijing in the Autumn?
Both Beijing and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Beijing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Beijing. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Beijing in the Winter?
Both Beijing and Dar es Salaam during the winter 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In the winter, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing averages at about -4°C (26°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Beijing. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Beijing in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
In April, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Beijing. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Beijing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.