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

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Bern?

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

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Bern?

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.

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Bern 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 Bern is $331. 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 Bern in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $424
    Bern $182
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $848
    Bern $364
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Bern

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


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 Bern Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $13
    Bern $38

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
  • Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
  • Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private transfer from Bern to Basel with a 2 hour stop in Olten: $226
  • CO2-Offset | Sedan Arrival Transfer from Bern Airport BRN to Bern: $110

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

Prices for flights to both Bern 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
    Bern $117

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 Bern

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

  • Bern Bites Food Tour Culinary Exploration of Bern's Old Town: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Bern $38

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.

  • Nightlife and Local Food Experience in Dar es Salaam: $20
  • Dar es Salaam City Tour: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $38
  • Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
  • Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
  • 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
  • Bagamoyo Tour: $120
  • Bongoyo Island Full Day Tour from Dar Es Salaam: $120
  • The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam: $125
  • Dar es Salaam City Tour - Visit all attractive places: $130

Tours and Activities in Bern

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

  • Attraction Ticket:Unlimited Boat Pass for Lake Thun & Lake Brienz: $143
  • Bern : Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $87
  • Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour): $60
  • Bern Audio guided walking tour 1h50 and 23 audio commentary: $7.38
  • Bern Food Market: Tour w/o Brunch: $44
  • Bern Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour With A Guide: $87
  • Bern Old Town - Private Historic Walking Tour: $581
  • Bern Old Town, UNESCO Historical Private Tour: $183
  • Bern Private Walking Tour: $364
  • Bern Private Walking Tour with a Local: $64
  • Bern Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $84
  • Bern Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.48
    Bern $30


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

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 Bern Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Bern?

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

Bern 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 Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.

Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Bern, 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 less sunshine than Bern. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Bern. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Bern. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Bern averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Bern during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Bern. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (78°F) 
    Bern 13°C (55°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Bern. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In January, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and Bern 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 Bern. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Bern. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

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

Both Bern 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, many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.

Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 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 Bern. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dar es Salaam 27°C (81°F) 
    Bern 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Bern and Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Bern
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 15°C (60°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 4°C (38°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)