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

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Lyon?

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

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Lyon?

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.

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lyon 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 Lyon is $177. 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 Lyon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $424
    Lyon $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $848
    Lyon $120
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Lyon

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


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 Lyon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $13
    Lyon $19

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:


  • Funiculaire
    $5.93
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Private Direct Transfer from Lyon to Geneva: $291
  • Reliables Airports Transfers to Les deux Alpes: $266
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Morzine/Avoriaz - Arrival Private Transfer: $263
  • Private Transfer Grenoble Airport GNB - Grenoble Ski Resort: $243
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Les Deux/La Clusaz-Arrival Private Transfer: $227
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Lyon (hotel OR airport pick-up): $188
  • Premium Van Transfer for Groups in Lyon Airport: $162
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon city centre to Lyon (LYS) Airport: $139
  • Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Luxury Van: $115
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $115
  • Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Luxury Van: $115
  • Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $115

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

Prices for flights to both Lyon 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
    Lyon $81

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

Typical Food Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

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

  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $77
  • Lyon Street Food Tour: $81
  • Lyon Small-Group Full Meal Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $86
  • Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Tasting and Lunch Food Tour: $87
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $87
  • Food Tour by night: $99
  • Lyon Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $110
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with 5 Authentic Dishes & Fine Wine: $125
  • Food Tour Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Tastings: $139
  • Elegant 5-Course Rooftop Dinner with Panoramic Views of Lyon: $178
  • Croix Rousse Market & Rooftop Cooking Class in Lyon: $215
  • Lyon Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $220

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Lyon $23

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $51

Tours and Activities in Lyon

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

  • 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab tour of Lyon: $35
  • 2 hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Lyon: $232
  • 2,000 Years of History: An Audio Tour of Vieux Lyon: $12
  • 2h - Electric Bike Tour of Lyon with a Local Guide: $41
  • 3h - Electric Bike Tour of Lyon with a Local Guide: $64
  • 4h Complete Lyon Experience: E-Bike, Food Tasting & Old Town Walk: $93
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $12
  • BREAKFAST EXPERIENCE : Eat and Discover the Secret Passages: $34
  • Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon: $168
  • Beaujolais Crus Wines & Castles (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $126
  • Beaujolais Day Guided Tour - Winery Tours and Tastings: $184
  • Beaujolais Wine Discovery - Private Tour - Half Day: $267

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.48
    Lyon $27

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.75
  • Bottle of Wine
    $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $93
  • Lyon's Hidden Wine Tasting & Local Specialties: $103
  • Beaujolais Wine Tasting Tour from Lyon: $115
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $115
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $115
  • Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $115
  • Beaujolais wine tour from Lyon half day: $126
  • Northern Rhône Valley Wine tour from Lyon Half Day: $126
  • Lyon Wine Tasting: Small-Groups with a Professional Sommelier: $129
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $138
  • Lyon's Grooves & Grapes : Wine Tasting & Record Shops Tour: $151
  • Beaujolais Crus wine tour from Lyon Full day: $161


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

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 Lyon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Lyon?

Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

Lyon 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 Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon 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, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Lyon, 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 Lyon. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (77°F) 
    Lyon 22°C (71°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Lyon. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (78°F) 
    Lyon 14°C (56°F)

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

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

Lyon can be very cold during winter. Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°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 Lyon. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dar es Salaam 28°C (82°F) 
    Lyon 4°C (39°F)

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

Both Lyon 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, the spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Lyon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 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 Lyon. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dar es Salaam 27°C (81°F) 
    Lyon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lyon and Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Lyon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)