Zanzibar, a stunning archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, is a dream destination for many travelers. Its pristine beaches, rich culture, amazing people and historic sites make it an alluring choice for a vacation. However, planning a trip to this tropical paradise involves more than just booking a flight.
To help you budget effectively and enjoy your time in Zanzibar without having any doubt regarding the costs, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how much a trip to Zanzibar might cost.
Remember that, this is the basic highlights based on the past tourists who have visited Zanzibar before. It might vary depending on your extra preferences.
About Zanzibar
Zanzibar is known for its breathtaking beaches, vibrant culture, and historical significance. Whether you’re interested in exploring Stone Town’s labyrinthine streets, relaxing on the white sandy shores of Nungwi, or snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Mnemba Atoll, Zanzibar offers an array of experiences for every type of traveler depending on their interests.
However, understanding the cost involved in such a trip is crucial for effective budgeting and ensuring a stress-free vacation. Go ahead to learn more on the cost of the Zanzibar trip.
Cost Breakdown of a Zanzibar Trip
1. Flights Costs
As we know that the flight prices aren’t constant, the cost of flights to Zanzibar can vary widely depending on your location, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. Here’s a general overview of the cost of the flight per person:
- From Europe: Expect to pay between $800 and $1,200 for a round-trip flight. Prices can be lower if you book well in advance or find a special deal.
- From the United States: Round-trip flights can range from $900 to $1,800. Again, early bookings and off-peak travel can help reduce costs.
- From Africa: If you’re traveling from a nearby African country, you might find flights ranging from $200 to $500, depending on the distance and airline.
- From the Middle East: If you’re traveling from a middle eastern country, you might get flights from $300 to $1000, depending on the airline.
- From Australia: If you’re traveling from Australia, you might find flights ranging from $2000 to $3500, depending on the airline.
- From East Africa: If you’re traveling from a nearby African country, you might find flights ranging from $100 to $300, depending on the airline.
2. Accommodation Costs
Zanzibar offers a range of accommodation options to suit various budgets depending on the travelers preferences. Here’s a breakdown:
- Budget (Under $50 per night): Hostels, guesthouses, and budget hotels can be found for as little as $15 to $50 per night. These typically offer basic amenities and a more local experience. Most of them can be found in Stone Town.
- Mid-Range ($50 – $180 per night): Mid-range hotels and boutique guesthouses provide a higher level of comfort and often include amenities like pools and breakfast. Most of them can be found in Nungwi, Matemwe, Michamvi and Paje beach,
- Luxury ($180 and up per night): For those looking to splurge, luxury resorts and private villas can range from $180 to over $1000 per night, offering high-end amenities and breathtaking views. If you are looking for this type, please check out Gold Zanzibar Resort in Kendwa, Kilindi Resort in Kendwa, Kwanza Resort in Kizimkazi, The Residence, Melia in Kiwengwa and so on.
Check out our list of the best Hotels to stay in Zanzibar islands!
3. Food and Dining Costs
The costs of food in Zanzibar can also vary depending on where you choose to eat. If you are a food enthusiast, let me assure you that you don’t have to go to the high end restaurant to get delicious food in Zanzibar.
From our experience, most travelers give credit to the local prepared food rather than from their Hotel when it comes to the test of fresh meals like seafood BBQ.
So, let’s proceed with the cost breakdown of meals in Zanzibar.
- Street Food and Local Eateries: A meal at a local restaurant or street food vendor can cost as little as $4 to $10. This is a great way to experience the local cuisine and save money. Please ask the locals here to recommend you.
- Mid-Range Restaurants: Dining at mid-range restaurants can cost between $15 and $30 per person for a meal. These places often offer a mix of local and some international dishes.
- High-End Restaurants: Fine dining options can cost $50 or more per person, depending on the establishment and the type of cuisine. This is most likely from the Hotel or very famous Restaurants like The Rock Restaurant in Michamvi.
Check our our guides:
Must-Try Foods in Zanzibar: Exploring the Spice Islands Flavors
The Best Restaurants in Zanzibar: A Foodie’s Guide
4. Transportation
Getting around Zanzibar involves several transportation options depending on your interests:
- Local Taxis: Short rides within towns or between beaches can cost around $10 to $20. From the Zanzibar Airport or Stone Town to beach Hotels cost around $40 to $60. You may negotiate the fare before starting your journey.
- Rental Scooters/Bicycles: Renting a scooter can cost around $20 to $30 per day, while bicycles might be available for $10 to $15 per day. We highly recommend you get someone from your Hotel to help you rent a scooter to avoid complications.
- Car Rentals: Renting a car can range from $35 to $80 per day, depending on the type of vehicle and rental company you choose. There are various local car rental companies you can book from. Also we highly recommend you get someone from your hotel to help you out to get your car.
In case you will need to book a private car, please book with us directly here!
5. Zanzibar Activities Costs
Zanzibar offers a variety of activities and tours, each with its own price range:
- Beach Activities: Snorkeling and diving trips can cost between $50 and $150, depending on the duration and location. Parasailing, Jetski & Skydiving are additional costs. Jet Ski and Parasailing range between $150 to $200 while Skydiving costs $500 and are all located in Kendwa beach.
- Cultural Tours: For cultural tours like Exploring Stone Town, taking a spice tour or Village tours usually costs between $25 to $60 per person.
- Day Trips: Excursions to nearby islands or national parks Safari can range from $150 to $1000, depending on the inclusions and length of the trip.
Helpful links:
For Zanzibar activities & Tours please visit here!
And for a day trip safari from Zanzibar visit here!
6. Other Expenses
- Travel Insurance: Budget for travel insurance, which can cost between $50 and $100 for a short trip.
- Visa: the cost of visa is $50 and for US citizens is $100. They can be obtained at the Airport upon arrival for some tourists. Please check out a guide on things to know before visiting Zanzibar islands.
- Souvenirs and Shopping: Depending on your preferences, allocate around $50 to $200 for souvenirs and shopping in Stone Town.
Helpful guides in shopping:
Budget Tips for Your Zanzibar Vacation
- Book Early: Flights and accommodations are often cheaper when booked well in advance. So please make sure you plan your trip as earliest as possible.
- Travel Off-Peak: Prices for flights and accommodations can be lower during the off-peak season in Zanzibar, which range from March to June.
- Use Local Transportation: Opt for local taxis or public transportation to save on travel costs.
- Eat Like a Local: Enjoy local street food and small eateries to save on dining expenses while experiencing authentic cuisine of Zanzibar direct from the locals.
- Negotiate Prices: In many cases, especially for tours and local markets, negotiating can help you get better deals. It is okay to negotiate on the prices in Zanzibar, but remember that the local people are very dependent on the tourism sector so make sure you get a win-win deal.
Helpful guides in Budgets:
Samples Of Itineraries and Costs
In conclusion to the costs of your Zanzibar trip, based on the above details and guidelines on the costs, these are the approximations of the costs that you might spend for a 7 days trip per person.
Budget Traveler (Approx. $1,200 - $1,500 for a 7-day trip)
- Flights: $800 (from Europe)
- Accommodation: $20 x 6 nights = $120
- Food: $10 x 3 meals x 7 days = $210
- Transportation: $100
- Activities and Tours: $150
- Miscellaneous: $75
Mid-Range Traveler (Approx. $2,200 - $2,500 for a 7-day trip)
- Flights: $1000 (from Europe)
- Accommodation: $80 x 6 nights = $480
- Food: $20 x 3 meals x 7 days = $420
- Transportation: $150
- Activities and Tours: $300
- Miscellaneous: $100
Luxury Traveler (Approx. $4,000 - $5,000 for a 7-day trip)
- Flights: $1,200 (from Europe)
- Accommodation: $250 x 6 nights = $1,500
- Food: $50 x 3 meals x 7 days = $1,050
- Transportation: $300
- Activities and Tours: $500
- Miscellaneous: $200
Conclusion
A trip to Zanzibar can be as budget-friendly or as luxurious as you desire, depending on your travel style and preferences. You can save and use this guide to get an idea of various costs involved and planning accordingly, you can ensure a memorable and enjoyable vacation in this beautiful island paradise.
Happy travels and enjoy your next adventure in Zanzibar!
