Which place is cheaper, Arusha or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Arusha?
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 Arusha 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 Arusha?
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.
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Photography Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Camping Tours in Tanzania.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesArusha Prices
Tanzania Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Arusha $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Arusha is $188. 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 Arusha in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Arusha $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Arusha $250
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Arusha
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Arusha? 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 and Arusha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Arusha $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
- Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Bwejuu Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Jambiani Beach: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Arusha?
Prices for flights to both Arusha 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 $28Arusha $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Arusha $44
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- 8 Days Zanzibar Discovery Adventure: $220
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
- A Half Day Private Tour To Spice Farm: $80
- A Half Day Private Tour to Spice Farm: $80
- A Private Full Day Tour To Stone Town & Spice Farm: $90
- A Private Stone Town Walking Tour & Spice Farm Experience: $80
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Best Arusha City Tour: $15
- Guided Arusha town tour with market visit,shopping, and city walk: $17
- Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets&Hidden Gems+pickup: $19
- Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
- Arusha Town Tour: $30
- Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
- Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
- Hidden Arusha Waterfall, Village & Coffee Tour (All-Inclusive): $36
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $45
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Private Walking Tour with Giraffes: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Arusha $10
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 Arusha, we can see that Arusha 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha 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 Arusha Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Arusha?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Arusha, 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.