Should I Visit Pretoria or Dakar for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Pretoria or Dakar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Pretoria or Dakar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Pretoria or Dakar?

Pretoria

Located in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa, making it home to many government buildings and three universities. It is actually one of three capital cities, being home to the executive branch, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Within South Africa, Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" due to the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets, parks, and gardens.

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 Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.

Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Pretoria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Pretoria Prices
South Africa Prices

Dakar Prices
Senegal Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Pretoria $59

Dakar $72

The average daily cost (per person) in Pretoria is $59, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $72. 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 Pretoria and Dakar in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Pretoria $24

Dakar $31
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Pretoria $48

Dakar $62

Compare Hotels in Pretoria and Dakar

Looking for a hotel in Pretoria 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.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Pretoria $11

Dakar $5.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria

Also for Pretoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Airport transfers,door to door shuttle: $46
One Way Private Transfer from Airports and Hotels in Sandton: $87
Pretoria to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) - Departure Private Transfer: $156
Private Airport Transfers to Sandton & Joburg CBD: $26
Private Transfer from JHB Airport to Hotels and Around Sandton: $36
Shuttle and Transfers to Johannesburg and Pretoria: $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $188
Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $251
Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $63
Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Saly Zone (two directions): $62
Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Riu Baobab Hotel (two ways): $79
Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $79
DSS transfer - DAKAR (one way) : $47
DSS Airport Transfer <-> Saly (One way): $63
DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $115
Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $126
Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $201
Airport Transfer - Aéroport international Blaise Diagne to Dakar: $115

Is it cheaper to fly into Pretoria or Dakar?

Prices for flights to both Dakar and Pretoria 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

Pretoria $25

Dakar $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria

For Pretoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Feisty Food Tour : $72
Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $104
Pan African Cooking Class & Organic food experience: $193

Typical Food Prices in Dakar

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

Breakfast

$3.91

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Pretoria $14

Dakar $13

Tours and Activities in Pretoria

For Pretoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

Harties Cableway Experience Ticket: $16
Soweto walking tour with a taxi ride: $28
History Bicycle Tour of Soweto: $39
Rietvlei Nature Reserve half-day tour from Pretoria, every TUESDAY: $46
Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg from Pretoria, every FRIDAY afternoon: $50
Private local authentic soweto Moto taxi experience : $53
Johannesburg Walking Tours: $54
Apartheid Museum Guided Tour : $54
Pretoria Capital City Tour from Pretoria, every TUESDAY: $56
Pretoria Tour-Voortrekker Monument, Town, Union Buildings: $59
Taste of Africa Food tasting Experience : $59
Soweto Half Day Tour : $59

Tours and Activities in Dakar

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

Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
2 days tour Pink lake- desert of Lompoul 2 people minimum : $230
Bandia Reserve Tour from Dakar 2 Persons Minimum : $220
Bandia Reserve and Somone Lagoon Day Tour: $233
Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
Dakar City Tour and Goree island (from 3 people): $126
Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
Private City Tour: $106
Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $29
Private custom tour with a local guide: $29
discover the magic of this city on our guided tour: $31
Day Tour Bandia Wildlife Reserve and pink lake : $291

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Pretoria $30

Dakar $8.57

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pretoria and Dakar, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Pretoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pretoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pretoria 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 Dakar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dakar than you might in Pretoria.

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

Which is Bigger, Pretoria or Dakar?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Pretoria. When comparing the sizes of Pretoria 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.

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

Should you visit Pretoria or Dakar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Pretoria or Dakar?

Pretoria

Dakar

Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Pretoria?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Pretoria and Dakar

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Is it cheaper to fly into Pretoria or Dakar?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria

Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Pretoria

Tours and Activities in Dakar

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Pretoria or Dakar?

Related Articles for Pretoria

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

Should you visit Pretoria or Dakar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Pretoria or Dakar?

Pretoria

Dakar

Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Pretoria?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Pretoria and Dakar

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Is it cheaper to fly into Pretoria or Dakar?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria

Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Pretoria

Tours and Activities in Dakar

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Pretoria or Dakar?

Related Articles for Pretoria

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