Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Dakar, 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: Vientiane or Dakar?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Dakar $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, 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 Vientiane and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Dakar $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Dakar $5.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
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 Vientiane or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $6.30Dakar $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Dakar $14
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Dakar $9.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Dakar, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane is in Asia and Dakar is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Dakar?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane 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 Vientiane or Dakar?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vientiane or Dakar in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Dakar. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Dakar. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun in the summer.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Dakar in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Dakar in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Dakar. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Dakar. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Dakar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Dakar averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Dakar in the Winter?
Both Dakar and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Dakar. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Dakar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Dakar during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Dakar. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Dakar in the Spring?
Both Dakar and Vientiane during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Dakar. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Dakar. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is a little warmer than Dakar in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.