Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Johannesburg?
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 Johannesburg or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Johannesburg and Dakar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Johannesburg or Dakar?
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3 million people. Most of the population is made up of South Africa's black residents, who predominately reside in the Soweto area. There are approximately half a million white residents and 300,000 residents of other descent. Half of the population live in the Soweto area as well as the nearby suburbs.
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesDakar Prices
Senegal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $115Dakar $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $115, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $82. 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 Johannesburg and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $58Dakar $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $116Dakar $70
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Dakar? 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: Johannesburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $17Dakar $5.85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
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Taxi Ride$3.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $71
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $37
- Airport & Private Shuttle and Transfer Services in Johannesburg: $74
- Airport Transfers JHB: $55
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $71
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg-Pretoria-Sandton: $71
- Airport Transfers OR Tambo to Sandton Hotels: $58
- Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $156
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $78
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $83
- Authentic Airport Transfers in Johannesburg: $80
- Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Sedan or Van Arrival Private Transfer Dakar Airport DSS to Dakar: $56
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Dakar Airport DSS by Sedan or Van: $56
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $72
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Saly Zone (two directions): $87
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $102
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $132
- Private Transfer Return Airport to Saly: $132
- Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Round-Trp Private Transfer: $149
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $212
- Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $216
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Johannesburg 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 dayJohannesburg $31Dakar $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $60
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $96
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $98
- Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $105
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner : $106
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $107
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $110
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience : $130
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast$4.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Authentic Jollof Cooking Class: $99
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $23Dakar $15
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Mapatiza Mine Guided Tour with Showroom: $4.63
- Mapatiza Gemstone Mine Tour Discover Gemstone Transformation: $4.71
- Mandela House Entry Ticket: $6.08
- Johannesburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option: $17
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $22
- Architectural Walking Tour: $25
- Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $28
- Guided Walking Tour in Johannesburg: $28
- Ponte Experience: $30
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $32
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $32
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $33
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $34
- prepare the thieboudienne for the ultimate local experience: $55
- private tour "move, eat, act like a local": $82
- Half Day Dakar City Tour (Minimum 2 Participants): $105
- From Dakar or Saly: Gorée Island Half-Day Private Tour: $108
- Dakar City Tour Cultural Exploration and Market Experience: $115
- Private City Tour: $117
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $120
- Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $5.05Dakar $9.81
Sample the Local Flavors in Johannesburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $8.85
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Dakar, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar 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 Johannesburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Johannesburg than you might in Dakar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Dakar?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Dakar, 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.
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.