Which place is cheaper, Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh?
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 Edinburgh can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Edinburgh?
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.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesEdinburgh Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $462Edinburgh $226
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $226. 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 Edinburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Edinburgh $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Edinburgh $196
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Edinburgh
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Edinburgh? 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 Edinburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Edinburgh $22
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
- Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $249
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $104
- Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) Private Transfer to Dar es Salaam: $50
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Dar es salaam Airport Transfer (Private & Group): $60
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
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Local Bus$4.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to/from Edinburgh City, St'Andrews etc.: $330
- Luxury Transfer Service | Glasgow to Edinburgh: $295
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Glasgow - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $271
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow Up to 6 People: $263
- Luxury Transfer Service | Edinburgh to Stirling: $258
- Luxury Private Car Transfer from Edinburgh Airport EDI to Glasgow: $238
- Scottish Highlands Freedom Bike & E- Bike Tour with Transfers: $236
- Private MiniVan Transfer from Glasgow GLA Airport to Edinburgh: $229
- Edinburgh Airport Private Transfers to St Andrews: $222
- VIP Airport Transfer: $202
- Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh City Luxary Private Transfer: $189
- Edinburgh Airport Private Transfers to Glasgow: $189
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Edinburgh?
Prices for flights to both Edinburgh 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 $31Edinburgh $89
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$11
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Dinner at Filling Station$13
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Lunch for Two$20
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Sandwich$2.45
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Cheese & bread$9.57
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$33
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2 Coffees and Scones$7.68
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Turkish Delight$1.85
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Soup at the Pub$7.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Edinburgh Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour: $47
- New! Taste of Local Food Tour in Stockbridge: $108
- Traditional Scottish Cooking Class in Edinburgh: $115
- Edinburgh Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, a Secret Dish & More: $131
- The Original Premium, Small Group Edinburgh Food Tour: $143
- Traditional Scottish Cooking Class & Dinner with Edinburgh Local: $175
- Edinburgh Like a Local: New Town & Stockbridge Food Tour: $183
- PRIVATE Edinburgh Food Tours - Old Town, Leith: $237
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Edinburgh $26
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour: $300
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Market & Kaole Ruins: $280
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Car Tour to Mikumi National Park for You: $270
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Visit all attractive places: $130
- Dar es Salaam City Tour Full Day Adventure with Lunch: $180
- Dar es Salaam City Tour: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $36
- Dar es Salaam City tour and Beach Leisure - 9 hours: $250
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Show Tickets$42
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Movie Tickets for Two$16
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Donation for Storytellers$7.94
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 'A Wee Pedal's' Family Friendly Cycle Tour to Edinburgh's Coast: $84
- 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour: $84
- 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $297
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $243
- 3hr Edinburgh City and Castle Private Walking Tour: $169
- A History of Witchcraft in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- A Silent Disco Adventure at the Fringe for August in Edinburgh: $30
- Alnwick Castle and Rosslyn Chapel Day Tour from Edinburgh: $135
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $132
- Bespoke Itinerary Planning from an Experienced Tour Guide: $67
- Best Edinburgh Photoshoot Experience: $169
- Best of Small Group Walking Tour (Max 10, 3 Hours): $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.48Edinburgh $20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
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Beer & Wine$19
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Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern$2.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $20
- Bobby’s Bar Crawl 5 Bars and best Nightclub in town: $20
- Stirling, distillery, St Andrews 1 Day in Spanish from Edinburgh: $74
- Stirling Distillery and Saint Andrews Italian Tour Guide: $74
- Arthur Seat and Vertical Distillery E Bike Tour Small Group: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Edinburgh, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.
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 Edinburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Edinburgh?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?
Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Edinburgh. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Edinburgh 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Edinburgh in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Edinburgh. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Edinburgh. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Edinburgh 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Edinburgh in the Winter?
Both Edinburgh and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Edinburgh in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Edinburgh 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Edinburgh in the Spring?
Both Edinburgh and Dar es Salaam during the spring 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, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Edinburgh. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Edinburgh 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Edinburgh | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.