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

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Melbourne?

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

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Melbourne?

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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Melbourne 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 $493, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $195. 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 Melbourne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $452
    Melbourne $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $904
    Melbourne $238
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Melbourne

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


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 Melbourne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $14
    Melbourne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
  • Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
  • Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
  • Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
  • Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne

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


  • Airport Bus
    $10
  • Tram Ride
    $2.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
  • Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $201
  • MEL Airport Transfer to Melbourne CBD Private Van Hire: $201
  • Melbourne Private Transfer to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Car: $196
  • Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne in Luxury Car: $196
  • Melbourne CBD Transfer to MEL Airport Private Van Hire: $195
  • Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $178
  • Airport Private Van Transfer to City: $172
  • Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne by Luxury Van: $168
  • Avalon Airport Transfers: $168
  • CBD to Melbourne Airport Private Transfer - 11 traveler's: $129
  • Private Airport Transfer from Melbourne Airport to City Center: $129

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

Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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 $33
    Melbourne $53

Typical Food Prices in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.62
  • Pizza
    $4.58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Melbourne Flavors: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour: $40
  • Multicultural Markets Food Tour – Melbourne’s Global Tastes: $51
  • Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
  • Queen Victoria Market Early Access Food Tour: $53
  • Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $54
  • Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
  • Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
  • Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $81
  • Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
  • Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
  • Carlton a Little Italy Dinner Tour: $93
  • Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Melbourne $27

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

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

  • Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Trade Route & Kaole Ruins: $255
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
  • 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
  • Ancient Bagamoyo City Day Tour: $249
  • Bagamoyo Adventure, Historical Tour: $238
  • Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
  • Bagamoyo Tour: $120
  • Bird Watching Tour to Tegetero Forest 2days 1 night: $205
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
  • Dar Es Salaam City tour: $164
  • Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
  • Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • English Melbourne Walking Tour: $17
  • Experience Yarra Valley: A Tailored private Wine Journey: $269
  • Melbourne Laneways and Galleries Impressionist Art Walking Tour: $84
  • Wilsons Promontory Hiking Day Tour - 8 Person Max Small Group : $147
  • 1 day Lake mountain snow tour : $73
  • 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $147
  • 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
  • 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Private Smal Group Tour FREE entries: $83
  • 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour - 8 person max: $147
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $843
  • 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $60
  • 4D3N Best Bits Victoria Sightseeing Tour: $992

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.97
    Melbourne $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $5.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne

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

  • Melbourne Christmas Bar Crawl: $15
  • Melbourne Pub Crawl (Batmania Tours): $19
  • Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
  • Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $24
  • Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
  • MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $26
  • Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
  • Laid back, Yarra Valley Wine Tour: Wine, Cider, Gin, Beer + Choc: $87
  • New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
  • Cruise Ship Friendly Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Port Pickup: $114
  • Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $116
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch & Gin/Beer Option: $129


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

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 Melbourne Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Dar es Salaam. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Melbourne averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Melbournein January. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (77°F) 
    Melbourne 20°C (68°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Melbourne. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In October, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Melbournein April. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°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 Melbournein April. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (78°F) 
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F)

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

Both Melbourne 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, many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Melbourne in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Melbournein July. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Dar es Salaam 28°C (82°F) 
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F)

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

Both Melbourne 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, many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Melbourne averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Melbournein October. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 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 Melbournein October. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Dar es Salaam 27°C (81°F) 
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Melbourne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)