Which place is cheaper, Washington 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 Washington?
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 Washington can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Washington?
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.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesWashington Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $458Washington $226
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $458, while the average daily cost in Washington is $226. 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 Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $420Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $840Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Washington? 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 Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Washington $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $249
- Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) transfer Round trip: $300
- Private Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles or vice versa: $300
- Private Transfer from Washington DC to DCA Airport or vice versa: $280
- Nation’s Capital Guided Tours and Airport Transfers: $280
- Washington DC Black Car | Airport Transfers & Chauffeur Service: $270
- Private Transfer To or Form Lorton and Dulles International Airport: $260
- Washington Airport (IAD) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $259
- Black Car VIP Service in Washington DC with Airport Transfer: $250
- Private Transfer to or from Springfield VA and Dulles Airport: $240
- Private Transfer to or from Herndon and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $235
- Private transfer to or from Vienna and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $225
- Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles International Airport: $225
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington 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 $30Washington $66
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 Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $59
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $71
- DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $73
- Donuts, Lights & History: DC’s Holiday Walking Food Tour: $75
- Washington D.C : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $93
- Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
- Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
- Washington DC: Food Tour with 6+ Locals Favorites Bites: $99
- Washington's Hidden Gems Food Tour with 6+ Tasty Dishes: $100
- Washington, DC: Downtown DC Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- City Cruises DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch/Dinner Cruise: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Washington $23
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour: $300
- Ancient Bagamoyo City Day Tour: $249
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Market & Kaole Ruins: $280
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Bongoyo Island Full Day Tour from Dar Es Salaam: $120
- Car Tour to Mikumi National Park for You: $270
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour. All Must See Things (Private Guide and car) Full day: $220
- Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
- Dar es Salaam Architectural Guided Walking Tour and History: $22
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
- 2 hours Mini Tour of Washington DC: $49
- 2-Day Niagara Falls Tour from D.C. w/ Overnight Falls Area: $49
- 2-Day Niagara Falls Tour from D.C. w/ Overnight in the Falls Area: $49
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour: $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 250th: National Archives & American History Museum Guided Tour: $75
- 3-Hour Small Group Memorial Tour in Washington, D.C.: $59
- 4-Hour Guided Tour in Spanish to Discover Washington DC: $100
- African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket: $90
- Afternoon Mount Vernon and Alexandria Tour plus DC Night Tour: $158
- Air & Space Museum Small-Group (8) Tour with Reserved Entry: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.42Washington $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $29
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Washington, DC: History Tour Pub Crawl: $49
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Washington, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Washington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Washington is in North America, 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 Washington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Washington 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 Washington.
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 Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Washington?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Washington, 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 Washington?
Washington 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 Washington in the Summer?
Both Washington and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Also, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Washington in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Washington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Washington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Washington during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Washington. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Washington 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Washington in the Autumn?
Both Washington and Dar es Salaam during the autumn 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 travelers come to Washington for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Washington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Washington averages at about 60°F (15°C).
It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Washington. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 197 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Washington. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Washington 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Washington in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Washington in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Washington can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Washington during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Washington. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Washington 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Washington in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Washington. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Washington in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Washington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Washington. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 228 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Washington. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Washington 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Washington and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Washington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
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.