A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Accra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Accra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Accra 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: Zanzibar or Accra?

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

Which place is cheaper, Accra or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $53, while the average daily cost in Accra is $43. 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 Zanzibar and Accra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $25
    Accra $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $50
    Accra $42
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Accra

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Accra? 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Accra


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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Accra $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Paje and Jambiani Transfers from Stone Town: $10
  • Transfer from/to Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town: $12
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town: $15
  • Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to Zanzibar Airports: $15
  • Transfer from/to Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town: $15
  • Minivan Transfer & Taxi service in Zanzibar: $18
  • Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $19
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfer ( Tax) To Stone Town: $19
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers: $20
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals: $20
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
  • Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Aburi Garden Tour And Transfer: $120
  • Aburi Gardens Transfers: $133
  • Accra Airport Hotel City Transfers: $45
  • Airport & City Transfers: $120
  • Arrival Transfer From Accra Airport To Hotel: $100
  • Historic Slave Walking Tour of Jamestown with Transfers: $127
  • Private Transfer from Accra City to Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC): $109
  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $109
  • Roundtrip transfer from Accra to Cape Coast: $140
  • Wheelchair Accessible Airport Transfers in Accra : $135

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Accra?

Prices for flights to both Accra and Zanzibar 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zanzibar $17
    Accra $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.

  • Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $35
  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $50
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $52
  • Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.

  • Private Ghanaian Cuisine Cooking Class: $40
  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Cooking Class with Auntie KK in Osu: $89
  • Private Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
  • Accra Street Food Tour: Makola Market Tour With Full Lunch: $95
  • Private Crescendo Foods Cooking Class Experience in Accra: $116
  • Accra Food Tour -- delicious happiness: $129
  • Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $205
  • Food Tour in Accra: $273
  • Ghanaian Local Foods Cooking Class: $330

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Accra $3.82

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $10
  • Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $15
  • Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
  • 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
  • Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar: $22
  • Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
  • Stone Town Tour: $25
  • Private Guided Stone Town Tour of Zanzibar: $25
  • Stone Town Cultural City Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

  • Quabus Accra City Tour : $20
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $41
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $58
  • Half-Day Private Tour of Nima Market with Pick Up: $65
  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $71
  • Easytourgh (Accra Tour): $73
  • Accra City Tour Experience: $75
  • Accra City (Private Tour): $78
  • Explore the Beauty, History and Culture of Ghana in a Day Touring Accra: $79
  • Private Colonial Roots and Independence Tour in Accra Ghana: $79
  • Accra Detailed City Tour: $80
  • Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.14
    Accra $5.48

Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:

  • Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Accra, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in Accra.

Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Accra?

Accra is bigger, and its population is about 4.9 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the population of Zanzibar vs. Accra, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Zanzibar or Accra?

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 Zanzibar or Accra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Accra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Accra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Accra. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Accra receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Accra. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Accra fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Accra 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Accra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Accra. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Accra throughout the year.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Accra. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Accra receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Accra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Accra fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Accra 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Accra in the Winter?

Both Accra and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Accra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Accra. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Accra receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Accra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Accra averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Accra 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Accra in the Spring?

Both Accra and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Accra year-round.

Accra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Accra. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Accra receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Accra. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Accra fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Accra 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Accra and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Accra
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 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.
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Zanzibar vs. Accra Travel Comparison

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