Which place is cheaper, Aswan or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zanzibar or Aswan?
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 Aswan 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 Aswan?
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.
Aswan
Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.
-
Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesAswan Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Aswan $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Aswan is $30. 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 Aswan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Aswan $9.89
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Aswan $20
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Aswan
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Aswan? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Aswan $5.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers & Island Shuttles – Book Now: $20
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Abu Simbel Shared Transfer: $37
- Aswan Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
- Aswan Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
- Aswan Airport Private Departure Transfer: $28
- Aswan Airport Private Transfer: $24
- Aswan Airport Transfer: $24
- Aswan Airport Transfer to Nile Cruise or Hotel: $30
- Aswan Airport Transfers inside city & to Luxor, Hurghada- One Way: $18
- Aswan Airport VIP Transfer – Private,Comfortable &On-Time Service: $35
- Aswan Port Private Arrival Transfer: $24
- Aswan Port Private Departure Transfer: $24
- Aswan Private Transfer To Luxor city: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Aswan?
Prices for flights to both Aswan 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 dayZanzibar $28Aswan $15
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
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $75
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $99
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Fully Day Private Tour Spice Tour Cooking Class and Stone town: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.
- Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
- Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $65
- Private Evening Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $75
- Experience the Magic of Aswan in One Day Food Tour with Guide: $177
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Aswan $9.30
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: $6.95
- Nyange Sandbank & Snorkelling tour with BBQ lunch: $12
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $15
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $16
- Stone town Private Walking Tour: $17
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $17
- City Tour with French guide: $18
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $19
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Daily Karibu Assalam Tour: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:
-
Temple Kom Ombo for Two$1.20
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- Shared Half-Day tour of The Nubian Village: $10
- Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
- 2 Hours Tour in Philae Temple: $19
- Private Guided Tour to Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk: $20
- Private Tour Sail on the Nile Aswan Felucca Ride: $20
- Aswan Engineering Marvels Private High Dam & Obelisk Tour: $20
- Private 6 Hours Tour In Aswan: $24
- Full Day Tour to Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan: $25
- Private Guided Tour to Aswan High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk: $25
- Private Aswan Cultural Tour to the Nubian Village by Motorboat: $25
- 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
- Philae Temple Guided Half-Day Group Tour: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Aswan $1.06
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Aswan, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan 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 Aswan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Aswan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Aswan?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Aswan, 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.