Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Durban?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Durban or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Durban and Dakar. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Durban or Dakar?
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurban $52Dakar $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Durban is $52, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $61. 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 Durban and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurban $24Dakar $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurban $48Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Durban and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Durban or Dakar? 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: Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durban $13Dakar $5.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $45
- Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $84
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $485
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $106
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $209
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Durban or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Durban 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 dayDurban $16Dakar $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban
For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $40
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast$4.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durban $16Dakar $13
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $5.18
- 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $7.77
- Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $7.77
- Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $8.29
- Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $8.56
- Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $9.84
- Durban Walking Tour: $26
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour: $39
- Durban Half-Day City Tour - Golden Mile, Botanical Gardens: $41
- Durban:Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $49
- Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $51
- Durban Shore Excursion: Private Small Group Durban City Tour: $63
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- 2-day tour Lac rose- desert of Lompoul: $290
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $108
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $136
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $244
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurban $13Dakar $8.92
Sample the Local Flavors in Durban
Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl in Durban : $36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durban and Dakar, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Dakar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dakar than you might in Durban.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durban Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Durban or Dakar?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Durban and Dakar, 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 Durban or Dakar?
Durban has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dakar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Durban or Dakar in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Durban as well as Dakar. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
In January, Durban is generally cooler than Dakarin July. Daily temperatures in Durban average around 25°C (76°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. In the summer, Durban often gets less sunshine than Dakarin July. Durban gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun.
Durban receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durban usually gets more rain in January than Dakarin July. Durban gets 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyDurban 25°C (76°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Durban or Dakar in the Autumn?
Both Dakar and Durban are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Durban is cooler than Dakar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Durban averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Dakar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durban. Durban usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during autumn. Durban gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Durban usually receives more rain than Dakarin October. Durban gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberDurban 22°C (71°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Durban or Dakar in the Winter?
Both Dakar and Durban during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
In the winter, Durban is cooler than Dakar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durban in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Dakar averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durban. In the winter, Durban often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dakarin January. Durban gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun.
Durban usually gets more rain in July than Dakarin January. Durban gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDurban 17°C (62°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Durban or Dakar in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durban and Dakar. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Durban is generally around the same temperature as Dakarin April. Daily temperatures in Durban average around 21°C (69°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. Durban usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during spring. Durban gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Durban usually receives more rain than Dakarin April. Durban gets 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilDurban 21°C (69°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Durban
| Durban | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (76°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.