Is Zanzibar expensive to Visit in 2024?

ByIndy Updated on Zanzibar
Is Zanzibar expensive

Zanzibar is one of the most visited places in Tanzania. With its pristine beaches, rich history, clear waters, and tropical weather, it’s easy to see why many frequent the island.

But how high or low are Zanzibar prices? Is Zanzibar expensive to visit?

This is an important question as it will determine how much you budget for your trip, how many days you spend in Zanzibar, where you stay, places to visit, what to eat, and how you move around.

The best way to judge how expensive a destination is is by visiting. However, that’s not always possible and that’s where a useful blog post comes in. Luckily for you, I have visited Zanzibar over five times now, and have a fair judgment on whether Zanzibar is expensive or cheap for visitors.

So let’s dive right into it!

is Zanzibar expensive?

Yes, Zanzibar is expensive if you are into luxury traveling. However, Zanzibar caters to all budgets including mid-range budget and budget travelers.

Like many other destinations around the world, the best parts are most popular, especially on social media. Visitors looking for a luxury waterfront resort or villa experience, expect to dig deeper into your wallet.

Boutique hotels and guest houses offer comfort without breaking the bank. Traveling to Zanzibar on a budget, you will find many affordable hostels and guest houses for less than $40 a night.

Zanzibar can be as expensive as you want it to be or as affordable as you wish. It all boils down to your location, style of travel, and things you want to see or do.

A common mistake many first-time travelers make is thinking since Zanzibar is in Africa it has to be cheap. Let me burst your bubble, many African countries are quite expensive to visit. A budget-buying luxury in most Southeast Asian destinations will not cater to the same comfort in most African destinations.

Not to dim your spirits, Zanzibar is still worth visiting. Boutique hotels will give you the comfort and luxury you need without breaking the bank.

Is Zanzibar cheap?

Zanzibar is very cheap to visit if coming from a country with a high cost of living. Countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and many other European nations will find Zanzibar super cheap.

Your local currency converts higher to the Tanzanian currency. So if you’re visiting from a country using dollars, euros, or pounds, your budget will go a long way in Zanzibar.

The prices feel quite affordable when visiting Zanzibar from other African countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana. This applies to many other countries around the world like India, Malaysia, and Mexico.

For tourists visiting from countries with a low cost of living such as Vietnam, and Indonesia the Zanzibar prices will feel slightly higher or very similar to home.

Food, drinks, and local transportation are affordable in Zanzibar. The largest chunk of your budget goes into accommodation and transfers if you opt for taxis.

As mentioned earlier, Zanzibar can be as cheap or expensive depending on your travel style. You can find a comfortable hostel close to the beach and many attractions for as low as $6 in Stone Town.

In summary, with the right planning, Zanzibar is relatively cheap to visit.

How expensive is Zanzibar?

Now that you know what to expect in Zanzibar, you may be wondering how expensive is Zanzibar.

Zanzibar cost per day will obviously depend on your travel style and season. The average daily budget in Zanzibar is between $23 (budget) to $110 (high-end), which is 57,300 to 285,000 Tanzanian shillings (TZS) respectively.

Expect to spend about 4,000 TZS (about $2) daily on bottled water or more if spending a lot of time outdoors. Zanzibar has tropical weather and it can get extremely hot during the day.

Avoid the mistake of buying bottled water, drinks, or snacks from high-end hotels and areas of Zanzibar, as this adds up to the costs quickly.

Depending on your home country or city, Zanzibar’s high costs may not be as expensive to you. If coming from expensive cities such as New York then Zanzibar is a cheap place to travel.

The bottom line is how expensive Zanzibar is will depend on a lot of factors. Know your style of travel and allocate enough budget for your trip.

If you must travel in the high season in Zanzibar which is usually June to October, and December, I highly recommend you add some extra money to your budget. Prices tend to go up due to high demand to cater to all the tourists.

How expensive are flights to Zanzibar?

Getting to Zanzibar is an important factor to consider while planning a trip to the island. Flights to Zanzibar vary depending on your day of booking, the airline you use, and your departure location.

Flights from Europe, the Middle East, and East Africa are cheaper compared to flights from Asia and the Americas.

When planning a big excursion around East Africa, I would highly recommend starting with other destinations such as Nairobi then making your way to Zanzibar.

If doing a Kenya and Tanzania trip, you can fly into Dar es Salaam first and explore the mainland before going to the island. Alternatively, you can explore Kenya first and fly into Zanzibar from Mombasa or Nairobi. This is cheaper compared to if you fly directly to Zanzibar.

Be flexible in your travel dates for the best air ticket prices. Alternatively, consider booking your flight months before the actual travel dates.

If you want to save more, you can fly into Dar es Salaam and then take a ferry to Zanzibar. A ferry ride starts from $35 – $60 for adults while a flight from Dar es Salaam starts from $90 upwards.

Zanzibar ferry

How much is accommodation in Zanzibar?

Accommodation in Zanzibar ranges from hostels to guest houses to luxury resorts and overwater villas. The accommodation you pick will greatly impact your expenses while in Zanzibar.

The most expensive resorts and boutique hotels can be found along the beaches. These resorts have incredible views, amenities, and services perfect for ultimate relaxation.

Travelers on a budget can still find very nice hotels, hostels, and guest houses a few meters from the beaches.

You’ll also find high-end hotels in Stone Town and inland areas away from the beaches.

Accommodation in Stone Town and Nungwi starts from $20 to over $100 for budget and luxury respectively. A proper hotel room starts from $70 upwards.

In these areas, you get luxury and comfort, fine dining, great views of the Indian Ocean, and accessibility to many public facilities.

For budget travelers, you will find good hostels and guest houses in Paje and Jambiani areas. Here you will find hostels starting from $23 a night. If looking for affordable guest houses these areas are also perfect for mid-range budgets.

Keep in mind the prices will vary throughout the year depending on demand.

To sum it up, you can find a hotel within any budget regardless of your location in Zanzibar. The main difference is in amenities available at the hotel and accessibility to public facilities such as bars and restaurants.

Zanzibar Hotel

How much are tourist attractions in Zanzibar?

Tourist attractions and excursions are among the top things that will ramp up your costs in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar is popular for spice tours, scuba diving, snorkeling, and historical and cultural tours. These vary in price depending on where you book them, diving or snorkeling sites, and rental gear.

Snorkeling tours start from $20 and can go up to $50 for half-day tours. Keep in mind costs include gear and a guide.

Scuba diving tours start from $40 and can go up to $100 including rental diving gear. Zanzibar is rich in corals and marine life making it worth the price.

Spice tours, walking tours, and cultural tours range between $20 to $50. Zanzibar’s history is very rich and the best way to fully understand the history of this island is by taking a tour. This will help you understand how different cultures have shaped the island over the centuries.

As you can see, if you choose to take every tour the costs add up eventually. Booking these tours and excursions using local tour operators will get you a better deal compared to booking your tour online or through your resort.

You can also explore Stone Town and other historical sites alone if you don’t care much about the history. Some people are fine just appreciating the old buildings and artifacts which is also fine.

Keep in mind that most historical sites such as the Slave Market Museum and National parks have an entry fee.

How expensive is food in Zanzibar?

Food in Zanzibar is affordable. The rich Zanzibari cuisine offers dishes with a blend of Arab, Indian, Swahili, and African flavors.

Local restaurants and street food offer very affordable food options such as Zanzibar pizza, seafood skewers, to a delicious plate of biryani for a few dollars. You will find skewers from as low as 30 cents or even cheaper. If you love trying new cuisines, Zanzibar’s night market is a haven for your taste buds.

Mid-range restaurants offer dishes starting from $20 for a decent meal, while high-end restaurants will range from $30 to as high and fancy as you want your meals.

In summary, food in Zanzibar can be expensive or cheap depending on where you eat.

How much is transport in Zanzibar?

Like all other aspects discussed above, transport in Zanzibar will also vary based on how you choose to get around the island.

Public transport is the cheapest mode of transportation. Minibusses known as Dala Dalas are the most affordable means of transportation. Prices vary depending on the distance covered which can be a few cents to $1.

Boda Bodas and Tuk Tuks are another means of transportation on the island. Like the public minibusses, the prices here will vary based on distance and your negotiating skills.

Please note: boda bodas (motorbikes) and tuk-tuks prices are NOT similar to minibus prices, these are slightly higher.

Taxis are a convenient way to move around Zanzibar, especially during off-peak hours. You don’t have to waste a lot of time waiting for dala dalas to get to your destination. In addition, they’ll drop you off at your exact stop. Taxi prices vary based on the distance you cover which can be as low as $5.

Bike and Scooter rentals cost $20 to about $30 a day. If you’d love to explore the island on a bike or scooter then you’ll find many rental shops across Zanzibar island. Remember to inspect your rental before leaving the shop.

Car rentals start from $30 depending on the car size and make. Renting a car online is cheaper compared to renting in person as some may mindlessly hike the prices up to $40 per day for a small car. Keep in mind that in Tanzania you drive on the left side of the road. Again inspect your car before leaving the rental shop.

Private tours, if you do not want to drive yourself, ride a bike, or even use the public means of transport, you can hire private tour vehicles. These start from $50 per person and can go up to a hundred dollars depending on the luxury experience they offer.

When moving within short distances, walking or using public transport such as dala dalas or tuk-tuks will help you stay within budget.

Public transport in Zanzibar

How much is an entry visa to Zanzibar?

A Tanzanian visa costs $50 for most nationalities and $100 for the US and covers Zanzibar.

You do not need a visa specifically for Zanzibar. However, depending on your nationality, you may require a visa for Tanzania to enter Zanzibar.

So if flying straight to Zanzibar without first stopping in mainland Tanzania, check your visa requirements.

Did you know Zanzibar has a departure tax? This is usually $10 -$20 covered in your airfare fair so no need to panic about extra fees.

is Zanzibar expensive for shopping?

No trip is complete without shopping, memories are great but so are souvenirs. You can buy spices, handcrafts, paintings, and accessories among many other items in the local markets at affordable prices.

Don’t be afraid to bargain and don’t settle for the first seller you come across. You will find 10 to 20 vendors selling similar items increasing your chances of getting good prices.

Check a few vendors and ask for prices before you start shopping. This way you have an idea of the price ranges. In Zanzibar’s Stone Town which is a tourist hotspot prices are higher compared to shopping at other local markets.

Is Zanzibar expensive: FAQS

How many dollars do you need in Zanzibar?

You need $20 (budget) – $100 (luxury) dollars a day in Zanzibar. Your style of travel heavily influences how much dollars you need as well as how long you plan on spending on the island. Dollars are accepted in some establishments across Zanzibar.

Can you do Zanzibar on a budget?

Absolutely! you can do Zanzibar on a budget from as low as $20 per day. This does not include accommodation which is also available from as low as $23 a night. Staying in hostels, eating at local restaurants, and taking public transport will allow you to do Zanzibar on a low budget.

What is the best currency to take to Zanzibar?

While US dollars are accepted in Zanzibar, it’s advisable to convert them to local currency Tanzanian shilling. You can end up paying more in dollars since the value is rounded to the next dollar.

Is Zanzibar expensive to eat and drink?

No, Zanzibar is not expensive to eat and drink. You will find meals from as low as $5 and street food from as low as $1. Food and drink prices vary based on location.

Is alcohol expensive in Zanzibar?

No, alcohol is not expensive in Zanzibar. Local beers such as Tusker, Kilimanjaro, and Safari cost less than $2 at local joints. Keep in mind this price may double or triple at fancy restaurants and resorts.

Is Zanzibar expensive for tourists?

Zanzibar can be expensive or affordable for tourists depending on your style of travel, time of the year, and what you choose to do. Generally, Zanzibar has a budget for everyone from budget to luxury options.

Is Zanzibar expensive to live in?

Zanzibar can be expensive or cheap to live in. It all depends on your lifestyle and the places you prefer living in. Compared to mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is expensive. Similarly, compared to many popular destinations in Southeast Asia, Zanzibar is expensive to live in.

Final Thoughts: Is Zanzibar expensive

There you have it, a complete guide to “Is Zanzibar expensive?”

Remember the answer varies based on your style of travel. Zanzibar can be expensive or cheap to visit.

While Zanzibar is popular as an expensive destination, it is possible to travel around on a budget and still enjoy comfort and luxury. With proper research and planning Zanzibar is an affordable destination for all.

Wondering how many days to spend in Zanzibar, here’s an article to guide you. Find a plan that fits your budget, and have fun on this beautiful island.

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