Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Johannesburg 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.
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3 million people. Most of the population is made up of South Africa's black residents, who predominately reside in the Soweto area. There are approximately half a million white residents and 300,000 residents of other descent. Half of the population live in the Soweto area as well as the nearby suburbs.
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 South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $94, 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 Johannesburg and Dakar in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Johannesburg 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Dakar, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Johannesburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg 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.