Which place is cheaper, Phuket 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 Phuket?
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 Phuket can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Phuket?
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.
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesPhuket Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $460Phuket $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $460, while the average daily cost in Phuket is $132. 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 Phuket in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $422Phuket $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $844Phuket $122
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Phuket
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Phuket? 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 Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Phuket $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dar Es Salaam Transfer from Airport Hotel Ferry or Train: $55
- 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
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $105
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $251
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.95
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Krabi to Island Transfer & Private Phi Phi Tour: $401
- Phuket’s Must-Do Tours with Return Private Airport Transfers: $242
- Phuket Jet Ski Adventure and Island Hopping with Transfers: $228
- Phuket airport to Krabi Private transfer: $201
- Phuket Airport to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $184
- Phuket any hotel to Koh lanta Private transfer: $178
- Flying Hanuman Ziplining Experience in Phuket with Return Transfer: $166
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer: $154
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms with Transfer RoundTrips: $153
- Private Transfer from Krabi to Phuket, Khao Lak and More: $144
- Phi Phi Khai and Bamboo Island Sunrise with Transfer from Phuket: $141
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platform & Transfer RoundTrips: $138
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Phuket?
Prices for flights to both Phuket 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 $30Phuket $41
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 Night Tour with Local Dinner and Private Transfers: $49
- Dar es Salaam Old Town Walking and Food Tour With Transfers: $70
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.62
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.07
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.68
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Bananas$0.75
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Pizza (for Two)$8.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $41
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $50
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $52
- Phuket Coral Island & Sunset Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yacht: $54
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $61
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $61
- Phuket Food Tour and City Walk by Jane: $61
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $61
- Hands on Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Phuket $46
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 Swahili City Walking Tour: $20
- Dar es Salaam Architectural Guided Walking Tour and History: $22
- Dar es Salaam City Tour: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $38
- Private Mbudya Island Retreat Adventure from Dar Es Salaam: $83
- 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 Tour & 360 Degree Revolving Dining Experience: $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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$27
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$75
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Thai Oil Massage$19
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Surfboard Rental$8.95
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Phuket ATV on Tour + Big Buddha: $43
- 1-Hour Quad Bike ATV Ride – Ultimate Adventure: $58
- 2 Day Tour to James Bond Islands, Krabi and Phi Phi: $178
- 2 Days 1 Night Surin Islands Snorkeling Tour from Phuket: $230
- 2 Hours ATV Riding in Phuket (Popular Tour): $88
- 3 Fun Dives King Cruiser Wreck and Koh DokMai for Certified diver: $166
- 3 Hour Zipline Adventure Park Experience: 65 Platforms: $104
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- 3 Khai Islands Tour- Snorkel, Swim & Relax (Half or Full Day): $33
- 3-Island Speedboat Tour: Racha Noi, Racha Yai & Maiton: $110
- 4 Element Day with Zipline Adventure Expedition: $77
- 4 Hours Jet Ski Experience Hopping To 9 Islands in Phuket: $256
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.44Phuket $6.95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$5.97
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Beer$2.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $21
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $52
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $86
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Phuket, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Phuket 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 Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket 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 Phuket.
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 Phuket Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Phuket?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Phuket, 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 Phuket?
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 Phuket in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Phuket. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Phuket. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Phuket. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Phuket. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phuket receives 206 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is cooler than Phuket. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Phuket averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Phuket 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Phuket in the Autumn?
Both Phuket 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 Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Phuket. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Phuket during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Phuket receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Phuket. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Phuket fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Phuket 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Phuket in the Winter?
Both Phuket 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 Phuket year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Phuket. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Phuket. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Phuket. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phuket receives 287 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Phuket in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Phuket fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Phuket 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Phuket in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Phuket. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Phuket. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Phuket during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Phuket receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Phuket. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Phuket averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Phuket 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Phuket and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Phuket | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.