Which place is cheaper, Kampala or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Kampala can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, and The Best Safaris in Uganda.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $460, while the average daily cost in Kampala is $69. 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 Kampala in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Kampala? 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.
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
Prices for flights to both Kampala 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.
For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Kampala, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Kampala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kampala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kampala 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 Kampala.
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 Kampala Expensive?.
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Kampala, 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.