A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Dakar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Dakar?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.


Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Dakar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Dakar $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Dakar

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Dakar


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.67
    Dakar $5.37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
  • Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
  • 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 Islamabad or Dakar?

Prices for flights to both Dakar and Islamabad 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Islamabad $15
    Dakar $20

Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:


  • Breakfast
    $4.11

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Dakar $14

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
  • Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
  • Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Dakar $9.00


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Dakar, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Dakar?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Dakar?

Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Dakar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Dakar. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.

It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. Islamabad is a little warmer than Dakar in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 32°C (90°F) in July, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Dakar. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun.

Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Dakar. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Dakar 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Dakar in the Autumn?

Both Dakar and Islamabad 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.

In the autumn, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Dakar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamabad in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Dakar averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Dakar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Dakar during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Dakar. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Dakar 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Dakar in the Winter?

Both Dakar and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.

In January, Islamabad is generally much colder than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 14°C (57°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the winter, Islamabad often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun.

Islamabad usually gets more rain in January than Dakar. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Dakar 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Dakar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Dakar. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Islamabad is a little warmer than Dakar in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dakar during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Dakar. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Dakar 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Dakar and Islamabad

Islamabad Dakar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)


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