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

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Should you visit Johannesburg 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 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

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.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Dakar or Johannesburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $89, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $48. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Johannesburg and Dakar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johannesburg $51
    Dakar $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johannesburg $102
    Dakar $50

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johannesburg $15
    Dakar $4.19
Typical Local Transportation prices in Johannesburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg Airport Transfer: $42
  • 3 Day All Incl. Private Kruger Park Safari Incl. Transfer From Johannesburg: $979
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $58
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $70
  • Business Private Transfer: JNB Airport to Johannesburg, Pretoria or Sun City: $76
  • Business Private Transfer: Johannesburg, Pretoria or Sun City to JNB Airport: $76
  • Business Travel - Individual Airport Transfers - Johannesburg: $54
  • Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Business Car: $58
  • Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $73
  • Direct Transfer to Sun City: $105
  • Flexi Airport Transfer with Meet And Greet: $38
  • Johannesburg Airport Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Business Car: $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Saly: DSS Airport to Saly Private Transfer: $71
  • Departure Private Transfer to Dakar Airport DSS by Sedan, Minivan or Minibus: $79
  • DSS Airport to Dakar City Private Transfer: $89
  • Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $233

Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Johannesburg $16
    Dakar $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.

  • JoburgPlaces Secret Underground Storytelling Dinner: $57
  • JoburgPlaces Migrant Cuisine Storytelling Dinner: $57
  • Johannesburg Cooking Class: $60
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve Tour with Carnivore Dinner: $154
  • 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $672
  • 4-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $850
  • 4-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $903
  • 5-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,115
  • 5-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,119

Typical Food prices in Dakar

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


  • Breakfast
    $4.01

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $20
    Dakar $11

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:

  • Johannesburg Free Walking tours: $3.35
  • The Windybrow Heritage Tour: $13
  • motsoaledi walking tours: $14
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Johannesburg: $17
  • Maboneng Precinct Walking Tour: $19
  • City Sightseeing Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
  • Taste of Africa (Food & Beer tasting Experience): $23
  • East City Cycle Tour: $24
  • City Skate Tours - Exploring Cities on Skateboards: $27
  • Innercity Walking Tour: $27
  • Ponte Experience: $27
  • Walking Tour of Hillbrow: $30

Tours and Activities in Dakar

Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dakar Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
  • Private Half-Day Dakar City Tour: Layover tour: $114
  • Half-Day Dakar City Tour: $128
  • Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $135
  • Full-Day DAKAR city / GOREE Island Tour: $147
  • Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $147
  • Half Day Private Tour at Bandia Animals Reserve: $149
  • Dakar CITY TOUR: $149
  • Full- Day Goree And Dakar City Tour: $203
  • A Fun tour of the vibrant and busy Dakar City: $205
  • Half Day Tour : Explore Goree island: $213
  • From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $246

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.42
    Dakar $7.03

Sample the Local Flavors in Johannesburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:

  • Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $10
  • Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $57

About these numbers

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.

Budget Your Trip

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Johannesburg vs. Dakar Travel Comparison

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