Which place is cheaper, Hanoi 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.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Hanoi?
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 Hanoi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Hanoi?
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.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesHanoi Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Hanoi $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $57. 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 Hanoi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Hanoi $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Hanoi
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Hanoi? 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.
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 Hanoi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Hanoi $6.54
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 Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.03
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Halong Bay 2 Days-1 Night with 5 Star included transfer & pick up: $290
- 25 Minutes Scenic Halong Seaplane from Hanoi Transfer Expressway: $280
- Aspira Luxury Cruise Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay – 2D1N with Transfer: $269
- Premium 2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Transfer from Hanoi: $255
- Deluxe Cabin Doris Cruise 2days1night with roundtrip transfer : $250
- Overnight Halong Bay Cruise Including Transfer Service and Kayaking or Bamboo Boat Activities: $250
- Dora Cruise Luxury Halong Bay Overnight Cruise Transfer Included: $235
- Private Transfer Between Hanoi City And SAPA : $235
- Halong Bay 5 Star Cruise 2 Days 1 Night by Transfer from Hanoi : $225
- Peony Cruise 5* Lan Hạ Bay 2 days 1 night with 2 ways transfer: $225
- Lan Ha Bay 5 Star Overnight Cruise Tour, Meals, Kayak & Transfer: $220
- Hanoi - Sapa One Way Private Transfer: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Hanoi?
Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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
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Food Meals for one dayDar es Salaam $33Hanoi $23
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.17
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Local Delicacies (3 Hours): $24
- Best Hanoi Day Street Food Tour with Real Foodie Tastings: $24
- Hanoi Food Tours: $24
- Best Seller Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $25
- Hanoi Street Food Tour - Best Price: $25
- Ninh Binh Cooking Class at Buffalo Cave: $25
- Half Day Street Food Tours in Hanoi: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Hanoi $8.07
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.65
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Dia Tang Phi Lai, Cay Thi Pagoda and Trang An Complex Tour: $122
- 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Pu Luong Nature Hanoi: $169
- 2 Day Victory Cruise to Explore Halong Bay from Hanoi: $170
- 2 Days Hanoi City Bus Tour Experience: $239
- 2 Days and 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure from Hanoi: $245
- 2 days 1 Night Sapa Trekking Group Tour: $126
- 2 days 1 night Sapa trekking group tour at homestay: $160
- 2-Day Ta Chi Nhu Mountain Hiking Experience: $228
- 2-day Explore Halong Bay in Caravella Cruise: $268
- 3D2N Cao Bang Ba Be Lake Experience: $190
- 3D2N Sapa Bac Ha Shared Tour: $245
- 4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tour from Hanoi by Sleeper Bus: $235
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Hanoi $7.30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Hanoi, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Hanoi is in Asia, 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 Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Hanoi.
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 Hanoi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Hanoi?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Hanoi. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Hanoi, 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 Hanoi?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Hanoi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Hanoi. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.
May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Hanoi. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is cooler than Hanoi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Hanoi averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Hanoi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Hanoi in the Autumn?
Both Hanoi and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Hanoi. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Hanoi. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Hanoi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Hanoi 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Hanoi in the Winter?
Both Hanoi and Dar es Salaam during the winter 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Hanoi. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Hanoi in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Hanoi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Hanoi 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Hanoi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Hanoi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Hanoi. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Hanoi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Hanoi averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Hanoi 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Hanoi and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Hanoi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.