Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Helsinki or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Dakar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Helsinki or Dakar?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €139Dakar €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €139, while the average daily cost in Dakar is €57. 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 Helsinki and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Dakar €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Dakar €60
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Dakar €4.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Helsinki airport HEL to Helsinki by luxury van: $76
- Arrival Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki in Business Car: $97
- Departure Private Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL by business car: $64
- Guided Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki / Include hotel transfers: $218
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki City hotel Round-Trip Transfer: $83
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki City hotels - Arrival Transfer: $41
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): One-Way Transfer to/from Helsinki: $145
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): Transfer to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $130
- Helsinki Airport VIP Transfers: Exclusive Comfort&Efficiency: $135
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $82
- Helsinki Private Transfer: $158
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €34Dakar €18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $107
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164
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€3.81
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.Helsinki €27Dakar €13
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-Based City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $2.15
- Free Evening Helsinki Tour - A Walk through Centuries: $2.61
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Tip-based Free Walking Tour Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA TOURS: $5.13
- Escape Game and Tour: $7.00
- Helsinki Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $7.00
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $7.99
- Temppeliaukio Church Entrance Ticket: $8.61
- From Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to Suomenlinna: $8.70
- Helsinki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Suomenlinna: Museum Ticket: $9.69
- Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
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: $109
- 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: $138
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $247
- 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 dayHelsinki €16Dakar €8.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Dakar, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki is in Europe and Dakar is in Africa, 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 Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki than you might in Dakar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Dakar?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Dakar?
Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Dakar in the Summer?
Both Dakar and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
In July, Helsinki is generally much colder than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Helsinki. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Dakar. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in July than Dakar. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Dakar in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Dakar. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Helsinki is much colder than Dakar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Dakar. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 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 OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Dakar in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Dakar. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Dakar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Dakar averages at about 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in January than Dakar. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Dakar in the Spring?
Both Dakar and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Dakar. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 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 AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.