Which place is cheaper, Mombasa or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Mombasa?
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.
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $460Mombasa $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $460, while the average daily cost in Mombasa is $65. 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 Mombasa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $434Mombasa $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $868Mombasa $54
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Mombasa
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Mombasa? 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 Mombasa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Mombasa $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sunset Cruise - Magic of Zanzibar Sunset With Transfer - Zanzibar: $100
- Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam Airport DAR to Dar es Salaam by Luxury Car: $167
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $73
- Luxury Coach - Dar Es Salaam Airport Transfer to the City Centre/Out ( 22 max): $113
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Dar es salaam-Morogoro-Dar es salaam transfer by luxury car.: $200
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfer: $75
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour.(private Guide And Transfer) 10 Hrs: $200
- Airport Transfer from JNIA Airport to Hotels in Dar essalaam: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diani Airport – Kenya Coast Beach Hotel Transfers: $131
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $87
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Vipingo and Kilifi: $85
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Airport Transfer from Mombasa Moi International Airport(MBA): $75
- Airport Transfers to Watamu and Malindi : $75
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $74
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $74
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Mombasa?
Prices for flights to both Mombasa 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 $18Mombasa $24
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:
- Private Swahili Cooking Class: $115
- Swahili food Cooking Experience: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $45
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Fort Jesus Mombasa Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $46
- Dhow Cruise Tour And Dinner Or Lunch Tours.: $51
- Experience Swahili Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local Host.: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Mombasa $18
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 (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $150
- 3-Day Mikumi Safari Adventure: $634
- 4-Day Gombe Chimpanzee Trekking tour.: $1,600
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $187
- Bird Watching Tour to Tegetero Forest 2days 1 night: $205
- City Tour in Dar es salaam, Tanzania: $140
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour. All Must See Things (Private Guide and car) Full day: $220
- Dar Es Salaam Day Trip Tour: $388
- Dar Es Salaam:Shore Excursion Tour And Street Food Tasting.: $46
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Private Mombasa Tour: $170
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $207
- 1 Day Mombasa city Tour: $150
- 3 Hour Real Kenya Tour with a Local Guide: $40
- Aquatic experiences at the coastal of Mombasa-Nyali.: $90
- Day Tour To Mombasa: $145
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa: $219
- Day tour to Tsavo east national park from Mombasa: $279
- Dolphin tour and snorkeling in kisite marine park / wasini island: $70
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $30
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $133
- Full Day Private Mombasa Tour: $189
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.66Mombasa $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
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 Mombasa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Mombasa?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, 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 Mombasa?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Mombasa in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Mombasa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Mombasa. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mombasa during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Mombasa receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Mombasa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Mombasa averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Mombasa 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Mombasa in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Mombasa. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Mombasa. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Mombasa. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Mombasa. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mombasa receives 291 hours of full sun.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Mombasa. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Mombasa fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Mombasa 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Mombasa in the Winter?
Both Mombasa 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. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Mombasa. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Mombasa during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Mombasa receives 283 hours of full sun in the winter.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Mombasa in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Mombasa fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Mombasa 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Mombasa in the Spring?
Both Mombasa 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Mombasa. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Mombasa. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mombasa receives 230 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Mombasa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Mombasa averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Mombasa 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Mombasa and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Mombasa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.