Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg 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: Saint Petersburg or Dakar?
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
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 Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $64Dakar $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, 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 Saint Petersburg and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Dakar $32
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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.Saint Petersburg $7.42Dakar $5.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
-
Metro Passes$1.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $19Dakar $20
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.69
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.Saint Petersburg $18Dakar $14
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-day tour Lac rose- desert of Lompoul: $290
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $109
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $247
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Dakar $9.00
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Dakar, we can see that Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg is in Europe 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 Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Dakar?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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.
When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Dakar?
Saint Petersburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dakar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dakar in the Summer?
Both Dakar and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Dakar. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Dakar. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dakar in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Dakar. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Dakar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Dakar. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dakar in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Dakar. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Dakar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Dakar averages at about 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Dakar. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dakar in the Spring?
Both Dakar and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Dakar. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.