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

Should you visit Wellington or Dakar?

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

Should I visit Wellington 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: Wellington or Dakar?

Wellington

Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.


Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Wellington?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, 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 Wellington and Dakar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wellington $61
    Dakar $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wellington $122
    Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Dakar

Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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 Wellington


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: Wellington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wellington $12
    Dakar $5.37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

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

  • Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
  • Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
  • Private Airport Transfer: $78
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
  • Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
  • Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
  • Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61

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 Wellington or Dakar?

Prices for flights to both Dakar and Wellington 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
    Wellington $30
    Dakar $20
Typical Food Prices in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $9.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington

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

  • Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
  • A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185

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.
    Wellington $16
    Dakar $14

Tours and Activities in Wellington

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

  • Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.61
  • Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $9.02
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
  • Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
  • Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
  • Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
  • Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $33
  • Wētā Workshop Experience in Wellington: $33

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 day
    Wellington $12
    Dakar $9.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington

Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
  • 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
  • Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
  • Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361


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

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


Which is Bigger, Wellington or Dakar?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Dakar?

Wellington 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 Wellington or Dakar in the Summer?

Both Dakar and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.

In January, Wellington is generally much colder than Dakarin July. Daily temperatures in Wellington 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 Wellington. In the summer, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Dakarin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Dakarin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Wellington 18°C (64°F) 
    Dakar 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Dakar in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Dakar. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Wellington is much colder than Dakar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Wellington usually receives more rain than Dakarin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Wellington 15°C (58°F) 
    Dakar 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Dakar in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Dakar. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.

In the winter, Wellington is much colder than Dakar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Dakar averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. In the winter, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Dakarin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Dakarin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Wellington 10°C (49°F) 
    Dakar 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Dakar in the Spring?

Both Dakar and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Wellington is generally much colder than Dakarin April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Dakar. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Dakarin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Wellington 13°C (55°F) 
    Dakar 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Dakar and Wellington

Wellington Dakar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)