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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Asilah?

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 Asilah 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 Asilah?

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.

Asilah

Spend your summers like the rich and famous with a trip to Asilah, Morocco. With pristine, white buildings and wrought-iron windows, this gorgeous city still holds the traditions from a time when it was under Spanish rule. The town remains rather quiet for most of the year, with a population surge in the summer months. Beaches are packed and there are tourists as far as the eye can see. If you're not a fan of crowds, consider visiting in the spring or fall when the weather is nice, but the tourists are gone.

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


Which place is cheaper, Asilah 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 $66, while the average daily cost in Asilah is $93. 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 Asilah in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $26
    Asilah $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $52
    Asilah $64
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Asilah

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Asilah? 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 Asilah


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 Asilah Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Asilah $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $250
  • Private Return Transfer From Zanzibar Airport To Paje: $140
  • The Top Best Tour in Stone Town and Prison Island with Transfer: $130
  • Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $120
  • Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $99
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kizimkazi: $99
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $99
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
  • Private Transfer from Bwejuu to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Jambiani: $89
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kendwa: $89
  • Private Transfer from Kiwengwa to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Asilah?

Prices for flights to both Asilah 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 $30
    Asilah $46

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 Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
  • 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
  • Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140

Typical Food Prices in Asilah

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Asilah:


  • Cookies
    $0.55
  • Breakfast for Two
    $5.54
  • Tagine Dinner for 2
    $8.30

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

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Dolphin tour,See food lunch ,Aquarium ,Nunqwi beach,Sunset cruse: $145
  • Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
  • Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
  • Mnemba Island, Nungwi Village & Sea Turtle Experience: $160
  • Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $120
  • Stone Town Historical tour: $26
  • Stone town historical walking tour with Mohamed: $30
  • 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
  • 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $25
  • 3h-Zanzibar Archipelago Shared ATV Experience: $79

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.20
    Asilah $7.75


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Asilah, we can see that Asilah 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 Asilah would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asilah 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 Asilah Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Asilah?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Asilah. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Asilah, 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.


When is the best time to visit Zanzibar or Asilah?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asilah in the Summer?

Both Asilah and Zanzibar during the summer 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 Asilah year-round.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in July than Asilah. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Asilah, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Asilah. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asilah receives 346 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Asilah in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Asilah fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Asilah 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asilah in the Autumn?

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

In October, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Asilah. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asilah this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Asilah during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Asilah receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Asilah. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Asilah averages at about 20°C (68°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Asilah 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asilah in the Winter?

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

It's quite rainy in Asilah. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than Asilah. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Asilah. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asilah receives 169 hours of full sun.

In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Asilah. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Asilah fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Asilah 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asilah in the Spring?

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

It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Asilah. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Asilah. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Asilah during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Asilah receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Asilah in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Asilah fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Asilah 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Asilah and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Asilah
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 13°C (56°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)