Which place is cheaper, Kingston 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 Kingston?
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 Kingston can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Kingston?
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.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, and The Best Safaris in Tanzania.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Kingston $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Kingston $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Kingston? 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 Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Kingston $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 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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 $33Kingston $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Kingston $12
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 Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
- City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Devon House City Tour Combo: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Kingston $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Kingston, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Kingston.
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 Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Kingston?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
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 Kingston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Kingston. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Kingston. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
In July, Dar es Salaam is generally cooler than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston 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 Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Kingston. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston 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 Kingston year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Kingston. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 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.