Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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 Koh Pha Ngan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $462Koh Pha Ngan $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $59. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Koh Pha Ngan $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Koh Pha Ngan $52
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Koh Pha Ngan $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers To/from Dar Es Salaam City Center Or To/from Your Hotel: $85
- 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 Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $105
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $250
- Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.21
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Ferry Ride$15
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Gas for Scooter$3.38
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $31Koh Pha Ngan $20
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.23
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.23
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Ice Cream$0.61
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Juice$1.84
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3 Spring Rolls$0.92
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2 Pancakes$1.84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Koh Pha Ngan $19
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.48Koh Pha Ngan $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
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 Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
Both Koh Pha Ngan 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
Both Koh Pha Ngan 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Dar es Salaam is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.