A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dar es Salaam vs. Alesund for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Alesund?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Alesund can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Alesund?

Dar es Salaam

Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.

Alesund

Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Dar es Salaam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Alesund is $133. 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 Dar es Salaam and Alesund in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $452
    Alesund $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $904
    Alesund $116
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Alesund

Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Alesund? 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 Dar es Salaam


Hotels in Alesund


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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $14
    Alesund $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
  • Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
  • Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
  • Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
  • Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192

Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Alesund?

Prices for flights to both Alesund and Dar es Salaam 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
    Dar es Salaam $33
    Alesund $57

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Alesund $18

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.

  • Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
  • Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
  • Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
  • The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
  • Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
  • Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
  • Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
  • Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
  • Bagamoyo Tour: $120
  • Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150

Tours and Activities in Alesund

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:

  • Ålesund Sightseeing and Viking Saga Islands: $112
  • Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $46
  • 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $133
  • Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $137
  • Alesund Walking Tour Art Nouveau and Postcard Views: $71
  • All About the Fjords in One Tour by Boat and Bus from Ålesund: $165
  • All About the Fjords in One Tour by Bus and Boat from Ålesund: $165
  • Fjordcruise Ålesund Geirangerfjord T/R: $216
  • Guided Adventure on Fjord Kayaking in Hellesylt, Norway: $124
  • Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $61
  • Kayak tour in Molde: $144
  • Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road Audio Tour: $71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.97
    Alesund $13


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Alesund?

Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Alesund, 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 Dar es Salaam or Alesund?

Alesund has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dar es Salaam experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Alesund in the Summer?

Both Alesund and Dar es Salaam during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Alesund in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (77°F) 
    Alesund 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Alesund. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Alesund averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Alesund. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (78°F) 
    Alesund 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Alesund in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Alesund. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. In January, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dar es Salaam 28°C (82°F) 
    Alesund 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Alesund can get quite cold in the spring. Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Alesund in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

It's quite rainy in Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Alesund. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dar es Salaam 27°C (81°F) 
    Alesund 5°C (40°F)

Typical Weather for Alesund and Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Alesund
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 3°C (38°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 4°C (38°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)