Mali Travel Budget - Visit Mali on a Budget or Travel in Style


How much does it cost to travel to Mali?

You should plan to spend around $33 (CFA20,012) per day on your vacation in Mali. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $9.13 (CFA5,511) on meals
  • $3.76 (CFA2,268) on local transportation
  • $30 (CFA18,306) on hotels

A one week trip to Mali for two people costs, on average, $464 (CFA280,172). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $33
    CFA20,012
  • One Week Per person
    $232
    CFA140,086
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $464
    CFA280,172
  • One Month Per person
    $994
    CFA600,368
  • One Week For a couple
    $464
    CFA280,172
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $928
    CFA560,344
  • One Month For a couple
    $1,988
    CFA1,200,736
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Mali cost?

A one week trip to Mali usually costs around $232 (CFA140,086) for one person and $464 (CFA280,172) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Mali on average costs around $464 (CFA280,172) for one person and $928 (CFA560,344) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Mali will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Mali on average costs around $994 (CFA600,368) for one person and $1,988 (CFA1,200,736) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Mali expensive to visit?

Mali is a very affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 10% of countries in the world for its affordability. Many budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring this country in depth.

Within Africa, Mali is very affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in Africa for its affordability. Very few countries in the region are as affordable as Mali.

For more details, see Is Mali Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Mali?

The average Mali trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Mali travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) CFA18,306 ($30)
Local Transportation 1 CFA2,268 ($3.76)
Food 2 CFA5,511 ($9.13)
Entertainment 1 CFA5,825 ($9.65)
Tips and Handouts 1 CFA1,077 - 3,232 ($2 - 5)
Alcohol 2 CFA533 - 1,598 ($1 - 3)
Accommodation Budget in Mali
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Mali is $15 (CFA9,153). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Mali is $30 (CFA18,306). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $15
    CFA9,153
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $30
    CFA18,306

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/budgetreportadv.php on line 1926

Hotel Prices in Mali

Looking for a hotel in Mali? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Local Transportation Budget in Mali
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Mali is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $3.76 (CFA2,268) per person, per day, on local transportation in Mali.


  • Local Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $3.76
    CFA2,268

Recommended Services

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Mali are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Mali, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Taxi
    CFA2,000
  • Short Taxi Ride
    CFA3,000


Food Budget in Mali
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Mali can vary, the average cost of food in Mali is $9.13 (CFA5,511) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Mali should cost around $3.65 (CFA2,204) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mali is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $9.13
    CFA5,511

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Mali are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Mali, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Melon
    CFA100
  • Fruit
    CFA350
  • Sodas
    CFA500
  • Sodas
    CFA500
  • Snacks
    CFA500
  • Watermelon
    CFA800
  • Kola Nuts
    CFA1,000
  • Fruit
    CFA1,000


Entertainment Budget in Mali
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Mali typically cost an average of $9.65 (CFA5,825) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $9.65
    CFA5,825

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Mali are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Mali, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Entrance Fee (for 2)
    CFA2,000
  • Kalabagou Village Entrance Fee
    CFA3,500
  • Boat Trip
    CFA15,000
  • Niger River Boat Tour
    CFA17,500


Tips and Handouts Budget in Mali
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Mali is $3.57 (CFA2,155) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Mali is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $3.57
    CFA2,155



Notice: Undefined offset: 11 in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/budgetreportadv.php on line 1769

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/budgetreportadv.php on line 1769
Alcohol Budget in Mali
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $1.76 (CFA1,066) on alcoholic beverages in Mali per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $1.76
    CFA1,066


Water Budget in Mali
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $2.77 (CFA1,671) on bottled water in Mali per day. The public water in Mali is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $2.77
    CFA1,671


Mali On a Budget
Mali Dogon Girl, Mali
Mali is a large and diverse country in West Africa. It's a landlocked country that is bordered by Senegal, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Niger, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Mauritania. It's a very diverse country that is rich in sights and culture. In the eastern part of the country is the Sahara Desert and the Niger River. There's a traditional nomadic culture that still thrives and prospers in these areas. You'll also find the fabled city of Timbuktu, which attracts many tourists due to its far flung location. Less visited, but possibly more interesting is the city of Gao, which sits on the edge of the Niger River. It's in close proximity to beautiful sand dunes, and is a uniquely fascinating place to visit. In the western parts of the country you'll find a strong Muslim population, mud mosques, and a rich culture. There are a variety of towns with outstanding weekly markets where you can interact with the locals and enjoy the atmosphere of daily life in Africa. You can trek through the beautiful Dogon Country and see village life that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Mali offers a unique view into Africa. What it lacks in wildlife it more than makes up for in culture. Allow plenty of time for mishaps and unscheduled stops, but take them with ease, as they're all part of the adventure.

While Mali is one of the poorest countries on earth, it is surprisingly more expensive to visit than you might expect. The currency is locked to the euro and many prices seem artificially elevated. There are very few hotels in most places and those that exist are high in price for a low quality room. Food can range in price, but often times meals are small in size. This is particularly true with meat dishes and it is often recommended that you order vegetarian options as they are more filling for a fraction of the cost. Transportation is also surprisingly expensive. Coach style buses are usually your best option and prices are fixed and rarely negotiable. In many cases it is beneficial to purchase tickets in advance to ensure you have a seat on the bus.
At A Glance
  • Although transportation is smoother and more comfortable than in Senegal, it is still very slow moving. Expect delays, poor road conditions, and overcrowded buses. Still, public transportation is an easy way to get around most of Mali as buses connect most cities and towns.

  • Many people fly in to Mopti and do a tour of Dogon Country before leaving. There is so much more to Mali beyond this popular area. Give yourself several weeks and you'll be able to see so much more, from the Sahara Desert to village life along the Niger. This is a fascinating and culturally rich country.

  • If you're in a town that is not a popular tourist destination you're likely to have a difficult time finding a good restaurant. Most Malians do not eat out so restaurants can be few and far between. Instead, stock up on fresh fruit and produce. Buy some bread and do your best to create a makeshift vegetarian meal. This may be your best option.

  • Bring a knife with you. You'll likely need it to cut up fruit or open cans. Having a makeshift tool with you can really be beneficial and convenient. A small and simple pocket knife is usually the best option.

  • Internet is available in most tourist destinations. There is usually at least one internet cafe and many hotels have wireless internet available. If you link in to the wireless internet you'll likely have to pay a daily fee of a few dollars, but for some people the convenience is worth the added cost.



Related:

Looking for a hostel in Marrakesh, Cape Town, Nairobi, or Zanzibar?
Top Tourist Attractions
Dogon Country: This is one of the top travel destinations in Mali. Many visitors choose to spend several days trekking through this beautiful and unique part of Africa. The area is known for its traditional Dogon Villages which continue to function the way they have for centuries. There are weekly markets in many towns which can be a fascinating time to visit.

Djenne's Mud Mosque: This is the largest mud mosque in the world and it's best visited on a Friday when you can see services in full swing. Djenne also plays host to a weekly market when villagers from around the countryside flock to the city to buy and sell their goods.

Timbuktu: Perhaps one of the most famed destinations in Mali, Timbuktu has long been romanticized by many travelers. Many choose to make the long trek to this legendary town that sits far out in the Sahara Desert.

Popular Foods
Food throughout West Africa tends to be comparable in style. Malian food is heavy on the starches and carbohydrates, and light on the meats. You'll find the greatest diversity of restaurants in Bamako where you can enjoy anything from Chinese to Lebanese, all for substantially higher prices. Snack options are usually bread type products that are often deep fried. Fruit is available when it is in season and you'll find the greatest fruit selection in Mopti, as it sits on the Niger River at a transportation hub.

Jollof Rice: This is a common West African rice dish that combines tomatoes, onions, and vegetables into a stew like meal. It's a hearty meal and is available in most restaurants.

Maafe: This is a popular stew like dish made with a meat such as lamb or chicken and a peanut based sauce. The peanut sauce is often seasoned with spices and cooked for long periods of time. This dish is available in most restaurants and is a favorite for many travelers who visit Mali.

Couscous: West African couscous is actually a finer version of this Middle Eastern classic. It is more sandy in nature and is often served with vegetables or a meat sauce on top. It's a common option when you're trekking through the Dogon Country area. Some people consider it a little gritty, but it is always available and generally reliable.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.