Which place is cheaper, Dar es Salaam or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moshi or Dar es Salaam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Dar es Salaam, 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: Moshi or Dar es Salaam?
Moshi
Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Tanzania, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Tanzania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $67Dar es Salaam $433
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $67, while the average daily cost in Dar es Salaam is $433. 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 Moshi and Dar es Salaam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $35Dar es Salaam $408
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $70Dar es Salaam $816
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Dar es Salaam
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Dar es Salaam? 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: Moshi Hotel Prices and Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $16Dar es Salaam $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Nairobi: 8-Day Kilimanjaro Climb with Transfers: $442
- Moshi : Kikuletwa Hot Springs Day Trip with Transfers: $172
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
- Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
- Airport Transfer to/from Kilimanjaro Airport JRO/Arusha ARK: $60
- Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $50
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Airport Transfer From Kilimanjaro International Airport 7 Seater: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zanzibar Sunset Cruise: Magical Views with Transfers - Zanzibar: $91
- Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Dar es Salaam Airport DAR by Business Car: $100
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $75
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Daressalaam: Airport & Hotel Transfers: $79
- Dar es salaam Airport Transfer (Private & Group): $50
- 1 Day Mikumi Safari (SGR VIP Train Transfer): $340
- 1 Day Mikumi Safari (SGR VIP Train Transfer): $356
- Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar: Airport Transfer to the Hotel: $70
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfer Services & Beyond: $68
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfer: $75
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour.(private Guide And Transfer) 10 Hrs: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Dar es Salaam?
Prices for flights to both Dar es Salaam and Moshi 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 dayMoshi $19Dar es Salaam $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
- Private Traditional Cooking Class. : $70
- Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam
For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tanzania: traditional Swahili cooking class: $45
- Private Swahili Cooking Class: $115
- Swahili food Cooking Experience: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $18Dar es Salaam -
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day Hike tour- ISMANI TOURS AND SAFARIS: $108
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day hike Tour-Machame Route-ISMANI: $115
- #1. MATERUNI WATERFALLS: COFFEE TOUR AND CHEMKA HOTSPRING: $320
- 1 Day Materuni Water falls and coffee tour: $200
- 1 Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Picnic Hot Lunch: $190
- 1 Day Tour Covering Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation: $220
- 1 day tour hike mount kilimanjaro through marangu route: $240
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- 1Day Tour Materuni Waterfall and Kikuletwa Chemka Hotspring: $172
- 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
- 2-Days Kilimanjaro Hikes and Materuni Waterfalls Tour: $695
- 3-Day Camping Adventure in Rau Forest Reserve, Arusha: $1,584
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Private Tour with Car and City Bus and Ferry in Dar Es Salaam : $77
- ½-Day Dar City Cycling Tour: $150
- 1 DAY EXPERIENCE SAFARI TO MIKUMI FROM DAR ES SALAAM BY CAR: $370
- 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT MIKUMI SAFARI ADVENTURE FROM DAR ER SALAAM: $480
- 2 DAYS ADVENTURE TO MIKUMI BY LUXURY TRAIN FROM DAR-ES-SALAM: $380
- 2 DAYS SAFARI ADVENTURE TO MIKUMI N. PARK FROM DAR ES SALAAM: $470
- 2 Days 1 Night Amazing Maasai Tour & Mikumi National Park: $400
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
- 2 Days Saadani National park tour Package for 2024 and 2025: $715
- 3 DAYS ADVENTURE FROM DAR-ES-SALAAM TO MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK: $480
- 3 DAYS SAFARI ADVENTURE TO MIKUMI PARK FROM DAR ES SALAAM: $480
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.24Dar es Salaam $7.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Dar es Salaam, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Moshi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moshi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moshi 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Moshi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moshi Expensive? and Is Dar es Salaam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Dar es Salaam?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Dar es Salaam, 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.
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.