Is Dar es Salaam Expensive?

Is Dar es Salaam expensive to visit?

Dar es Salaam is a well-liked but higher-priced destination. It's generally considered to be a somewhat expensive destination, and our cost analysis agrees as the daily average travel price is $466. When compared to the rest of Africa, it is a very expensive place. It stands in the top 10% of cities in Africa for its travel prices. This makes it comparable to Arusha and Arusha.



Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

How expensive is Dar es Salaam?

For a trip to Dar es Salaam, travelers spend on average $466 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Dar es Salaam here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Dar es Salaam?

On average, a weekend trip to Dar es Salaam costs about $1,397 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $2,795.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Dar es Salaam?

A one week trip to Dar es Salaam costs about $3,261 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $6,521.

Is it expensive to backpack in Dar es Salaam?

With more than 3 hostels in the area, Dar es Salaam is a fairly popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $13 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Dar es Salaam here.) There's a wide range in prices for beds, as the cheapest hostels cost $9, but the most expensive can be more than $15 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Dar es Salaam.

  • $15 for a dorm bed at The Slow Leopard Hostel
  • $9 for a dorm bed at JJ&JE Family House
  • $14 for a dorm bed at Gallivanters Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Dar es Salaam?

Examining hotel prices in Dar es Salaam, we can see that they are very affordable when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $48. The city is equipped with about 4 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $150. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $46 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $34 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Dar es Salaam
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 4 $150
4 stars 17 $90
3 stars 86 $46
2 stars 10 $34
1 star 13 $34
No rating 5 $41

Uhuru Street, Central Rail Station, Dar es Salaam
Overall Rating 9.7
Jamhuri Street, Dar es Salaam
Overall Rating 8.6

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Dar es Salaam?

In Dar es Salaam, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $0 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $42.

    • Dar es Salaam History and Architectural Tours: $150
    • Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
    • Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $181
    • The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $85
    • Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
    • Dar Es Salaam City Tour. All Must See Things (Private Guide and car) Full day: $220
    • Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $150
    • Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $25

    Is food expensive in Dar es Salaam?

    In Dar es Salaam, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $18 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $24.

    • Dar es Salaam: Private Swahili Cooking Class: $115
    • Swahili food Cooking Experience: $150

    Is transportation expensive in Dar es Salaam?

    Local transportation in Dar es Salaam can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $14 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $15. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Dar es Salaam

    If you're planning a trip to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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