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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Ankara?

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 Ankara 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 Ankara?

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.

Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $99. 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 Ankara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Ankara $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Ankara $80
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Ankara

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Ankara? 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 Ankara


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 Ankara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Ankara $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
  • AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
  • Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
  • Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport/port Transfer: $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
  • Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
  • Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
  • Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
  • Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
  • Private Airport transfers to any hotel in Zanzibar (Arrivals): $30

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.03
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers: $47
  • Ankara Airport Transfer: Ankara by Private Luxury Vehicle: $63
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $111
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $111
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $52
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $41
  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $52
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Ankara?

Prices for flights to both Ankara 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 $28
    Ankara $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
  • Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • Cooking Class Tour: $90
  • A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
  • Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140

Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara

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

  • Baklava Cooking Class: $61
  • Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $70
  • Sustainable Home Cooking Class in Ankara: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Ankara $24

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.08
  • Nyange Sandbank & Snorkelling tour with BBQ lunch: $12
  • Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
  • Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
  • Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $16
  • Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
  • Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
  • Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
  • Stone Town tour: $18
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Underground City
    $0.17

Tours and Activities in Ankara

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

  • Self-Guided Secrets of Ankara Exploration Game Tour: $30
  • Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $34
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $35
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
  • Ankara Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $185
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $233
  • Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $300
  • Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Ankara $11


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Ankara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Ankara?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Ankara, 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.