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

Should you visit Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu or Dakar?

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.


Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Kathmandu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, 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 Kathmandu and Dakar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    Dakar $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Dakar

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu


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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Dakar $5.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
  • Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
  • From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
  • From One-Way Private Car Transfer to Pokhara: $109
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
  • Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
  • Kathmandu - Pokhara Private Transfer by Car/Jeep/Minibus: $120
  • Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
  • Kathmandu airport transfer service: $19

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 Kathmandu or Dakar?

Prices for flights to both Dakar and Kathmandu 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
    Kathmandu $8.30
    Dakar $20
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

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

  • Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making: $7.50
  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.57
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.35
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
  • Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $22
  • Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $22
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
  • Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25

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.
    Kathmandu $8.03
    Dakar $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.50
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.76
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

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

  • 4 UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour Nepal: $0.43
  • Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
  • 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $7.50
  • City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.54
  • Private 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites Day Tour: $10
  • Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
  • Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
  • Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
  • Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
  • Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
  • Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
  • Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    Dakar $9.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu

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

  • Explore 4 Heritage Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $75


When comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Dakar, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kathmandu is in Asia and Dakar is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Dakar?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu 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.