Which place is cheaper, Antsiranana or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Antsiranana?
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 Antsiranana 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 Antsiranana?
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.
Antsiranana
Antsiranana is the capital of Madagascar's northernmost province, Diana, and until 1975 it was known as Diego Suarez. The city has a port that has become a site for naval repairs and is the largest in the entire Indian Ocean. The port is mainly used for tinned fish and bottled drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The city has a population of a little over 100,000. The French used the city as a military base after independence from 1960 until 1973, after the socialist revolution.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $49Antsiranana $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $49, while the average daily cost in Antsiranana is $88. 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 Antsiranana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $23Antsiranana $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $46Antsiranana $84
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Antsiranana
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Antsiranana? 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Antsiranana $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- transfer from airport to Makunduchi Zanzibar: $49
- Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $165
- Transfer to/from the airport from any location: $42
- Stone Town and Prison Island Tour with Transfer: $90
- Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
- Private Transfer by Car: $57
- Mnemba Atoll Snorkeling Day Trip with Transfer: $115
- Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
- Baraka Turtle Aquarium Tour with Hotel Transfers: $80
- Airport transfers & Taxi: $54
- Airport to Hotel Transfer: $62
- Airport to Hotel Transfer: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Antsiranana?
Prices for flights to both Antsiranana 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
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $16Antsiranana $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Stone Town Tour with Forodhani Gardens Dinner: $50
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Zanzibar pizza making & wine tasting: $65
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Spice farm tour with local foods cooking class: $69
- Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class with Lunch: $69
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
- Cooking Lesson and Spice farm tour: $77
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $12Antsiranana $18
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Tour in Zanzibar : $33
- Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
- ½-Day Prison Island Tour: $145
- 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 Hours Private Stone Town City Tour: $50
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 HOURS PRISON ISLAND TOUR IN ZANZIBAR: $60
- 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
- 3 Hour Walking Tour Experience at Stone Town Tanzania : $39
- 3*1 Tour: Prison Island, stone town, spice farm: $73
- 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.52Antsiranana $9.74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Antsiranana, we can see that Antsiranana is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Antsiranana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antsiranana 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 Antsiranana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Antsiranana?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Antsiranana. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Antsiranana, 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.