Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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 Saint John?
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 Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, and The Best Safaris in Tanzania.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Saint John $49
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 Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $33Saint John $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
- Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
- Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
- The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Saint John, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Saint John much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John 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 Saint John.
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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam or Saint John?
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 Saint John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Saint John. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Saint John. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dar es Salaam is cooler than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John 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 Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Saint John. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John 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 Saint John year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Saint John 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 Saint John. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.