Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Dakar, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Dakar?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Dakar $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, 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 Istanbul and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Dakar $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Dakar $5.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
- Private Airport Transfer in Istanbul: $109
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $55
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $40
- Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
- Arrival Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport to Istambul, Levent or Taksim by Bus: $65
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $70
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
- CARPEDIEM : SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT LUXURY TRANSFER (Arrival/Departure): $45
- Daily Green Bursa Tour with Cable Car & Transfer from Istanbul: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $31Dakar $20
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
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$4.11
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Dakar $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.15
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.38
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.38
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.09
- Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.12
- Guided Boat Tour on the Bosphorus: $8.44
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.69
- Self Guided Virtual Tour of Hagia Sophia The Highlights: $9.82
- Hagia Sophia & Hippdrome Tour with Local Expert: $11
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $31
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
- Private City Tour: $109
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
- Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $142
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Dakar $9.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $849
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Dakar, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Dakar?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Dakar?
Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Dakar in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Dakar. The summer months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Istanbul is cooler than Dakar in the summer. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 24°C (74°F) in July, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Dakar during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Dakar. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Dakar in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Dakar. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
In the autumn, Istanbul is much colder than Dakar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Istanbul in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Dakar averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. In the autumn, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in October than Dakar. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Dakar in the Winter?
Both Dakar and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Istanbul is generally much colder than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 6°C (43°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Dakar. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Dakar in the Spring?
Both Dakar and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
Istanbul is much colder than Dakar in the spring. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in April than Dakar. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.