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

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Florence?

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 Florence can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Florence?

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.

Florence

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Florence 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.

  • Dar es Salaam Prices
    Tanzania Prices
    Florence Prices
    Italy Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Dar es Salaam $493
    Florence $211

The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Florence is $211. 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 Florence in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $452
    Florence $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $904
    Florence $204
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Florence

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


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 and Florence Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $14
    Florence $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

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

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:


  • Taxi Ride Within City
    $9.39
  • Taxi from Airport
    $29
  • In City Parking (Full Day)
    $35
  • Bus Pass (Full Day)
    $5.87
  • Bus From Airport
    $5.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence

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

  • Transfer from Livorno Port to Accommodation: $421
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER: from Florence to Assisi with stops in Montepulciano & Cortona : $299
  • Private Transfer from Firenze (FLR) Airport to Tavarnelle Val di Pesa: $290
  • Private Transfer from Firenze (FLR) Airport to Greve in Chianti: $288
  • Private transfer from Florence to Massa with private driver: $281
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Florence to Roma with private chauffeur: $275
  • Private transfer Florence Peretola Airport from or to Pisa City: $271
  • Private Transfer Florence Peretola Airport from/to Livorno Port: $271
  • Private Transfer from San Casciano in Val di Pesa to Firenze (FLR) Airport: $250
  • Private Transfer Florence to Siena with a Chianti Wine Tasting : $239
  • Florence to Bologna Airport (BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $231
  • Taste of Tuscany San Gimignano Winery with Transfer from Florence: $227

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

Prices for flights to both Florence 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
    Florence $73

Typical Food Prices in Florence

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:


  • Panini Sandwich
    $7.63
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence

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

  • Florence Old City Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing: $35
  • Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Lunch or Dinner: $35
  • Food Tour of Traditional Eateries and Wine Pairings: $36
  • Pasta Making Class with Dinner and Wine in Florence: $47
  • Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence: $48
  • Florence's Food Tour with Authentic Local Tastigs and Sightseeing: $50
  • Florence Street Food Tour and sightseeing with Central Market: $50
  • Florence Street Food Tour with Walking Sightseeing and Local Guide: $50
  • Pasta and Gelato Cooking Class in the heart of Florence: $51
  • Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $53
  • Florence Food Tour: Home-Made Pasta, Truffle, Cantucci, Olive Oil, Gelato: $54
  • Cooking Class in Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Making Unlimited Wine: $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Florence $35

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

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

  • Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Trade Route & Kaole Ruins: $255
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
  • 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
  • Ancient Bagamoyo City Day Tour: $249
  • Bagamoyo Adventure, Historical Tour: $238
  • Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
  • Bagamoyo Tour: $120
  • Bird Watching Tour to Tegetero Forest 2days 1 night: $205
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
  • Dar Es Salaam City tour: $164
  • Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
  • Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97

Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence

For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Admission to Uffizi
    $13
  • Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi
    $4.69
  • Firenze Card (for Two)
    $117
  • Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)
    $23
  • Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee
    $7.04
  • Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee
    $8.21

Tours and Activities in Florence

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.

  • Best of Florence walking tour & Accademia Gallery- monolingual small group tour: $75
  • Exclusive Small Group Tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence: $78
  • Florence Palazzo Vecchio Skip the Line Ticket and Audio Guide: $27
  • Medici Walking Tour -Small Group : $35
  • Uffizi & Accademia Highlights: Skip The Line Combo Guided Tour: $119
  • "Good Morning Chianti Classico" - Tour in 2 wineries with lunch: $215
  • 1-Hour Golf Cart Private Tour through the Center of Florence: $54
  • 2-Hours Walking Tour in Florence: $179
  • 3-Hour Private Florence Walking Tour: $203
  • 3-Hour Private Food and Wine Experience in Montalcino: $144
  • 4 Wines Tasting with 2 Tuscan Cheeses & Tour at the winery: $41
  • A Food Lover Tour in Florence: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.97
    Florence $22

Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:


  • Glass of Chianti
    $4.93
  • Bottle of Wine
    $8.80

Sample the Local Flavors in Florence

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

  • Florence Wine Tasting at Ponte Vecchio with Sommelier: $4.78
  • Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $18
  • Winery tour and wine tasting of organic Chianti wines and extra virgin oil: $24
  • Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $25
  • Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $27
  • Wine Tasting Experience near Florence: $30
  • Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $36
  • Wine Tasting in an Authentic Tuscan Cellar in Radda in Chianti: $38
  • Chianti Half Day Wine Tour from Florence: $42
  • Montefioralle Winery - Tour and Wine Tasting in Chianti: $42
  • Wine Tasting of Brunello with Tuscan Cold Cuts and Cheese: $47
  • Winery tour & wine tasting in Montalcino: $48


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Florence, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Florence much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Florence 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 Florence would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florence 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 Florence.

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 Florence Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Florence?

Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Florence, 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 Florence?

Florence 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 Florence in the Summer?

Both Florence and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Florence for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Florence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Florence averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Florence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Florence during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Florence. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (77°F) 
    Florence 25°C (77°F)

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

Both Florence and Dar es Salaam during the autumn 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, many visitors come to Florence in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Florence. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Florence. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Florence. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (78°F) 
    Florence 16°C (61°F)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Florence. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Florence in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Florence during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Florence. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dar es Salaam 28°C (82°F) 
    Florence 7°C (45°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Florence. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Florence because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Florence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Florence averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Florence. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Florence. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dar es Salaam 27°C (81°F) 
    Florence 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Florence and Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Florence
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 8°C (46°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)