Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao?
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 Koh Tao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Koh Tao $9.98
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 Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.97
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $33Koh Tao $18
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
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Breakfast$4.71
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.20
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Koh Tao $30
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 Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
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Snorkel Rental$3.14
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Koh Tao Island Puzzle and Treasure Hunt Adventure: $75
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Koh Tao $8.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$2.04
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Koh Tao, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
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 Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 1950 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao. Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Koh Tao. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. Dar es Salaam receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.