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.
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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.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesAswan Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Aswan $20
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Aswan is $20. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Aswan $6.47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Aswan $13
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 and Aswan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Aswan $4.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Airport Round-Trip Transfer to/from Hotels: $8.00
- Airport / Ferry Transfers - Hotels: $9.90
- Airport Transfers: $9.90
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $13
- Prison Island Half-Day Tour with Transfer Included - Zanzibar: $15
- Prison Island Half Day Sea Trip with Transfers - Zanzibar: $15
- Prison Island Excursion Half-Day Tour with Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Prison Island Experience Half Day Trip With Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer Anywhere: $15
- Zanzibar Taxi: Transfer with van From any hotel to airport: $15
- Prison Island Experience Half Day Tour With Transfer - Zanzibar: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Aswan to Luxor Private Car Transfer: $80
- Private Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel : $10
- Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise : $45
- Private Transfer from Aswan to Marsa-Alam: $87
- Transfer Service to Luxor from Aswan: $100
- Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $21
- VIP Aswan to Hurghada Transfer: Luxury and Comfort: $95
- A transfer to Luxor from Aswan by car: $75
- Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan with transfers : $45
- Arrival Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $40
- Arrival Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
- Aswan Airport Private Departure Transfer: $28
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
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $28Aswan $9.51
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
- Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Demonstration: $29
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Lesson | Half day: $48
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- ZANZIBAR; Spice farm and Cooking class with lunch included: $50
- Stone Town Walking Tour and Evening Food Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Class: $62
- Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class with Lunch: $64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.
- Savor Nubian Cuisine: Lunch or Dinner in a Local Village: $50
- Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
- Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
- Dinner In Nile Cruise in Aswan: $150
- Experience the Magic of Aswan in One Day Food Tour with Guide: $177
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $12Aswan $5.86
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Zanzibar - Stone town city tour - walking tour with guide: $10
- Tanzanite Museum and Jewelry Shop Entry Ticket: $12
- Stone Town Cultural & Slave History Walking Tour: $14
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour,history without transport: $14
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour,history without transport: $14
- Africa's Paradise Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Stone Town Tour: $15
- Stone Town: Walking Tour with English or German Guide: $16
- The Swahili Spice Experience - Spice Tour + Culinary Journey: $20
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:
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Temple Kom Ombo for Two$1.21
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- Private Full Day tour to Abu simbel Temples from Aswan: $12
- Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
- Private Tour Sunset Felucca Ride of Aswan: $15
- Private Day Tour to Phalie Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk: $17
- 2-Hour Guided Tour in Philae Temple Aswan, Egypt: $18
- Aswan Day Tour : Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam: $19
- 2 Hours Tour in Philae Temple: $19
- Horse Carriage Ride with a Private Tour in Aswan: $20
- Private Tour Sail on the Nile Aswan Felucca Ride : $20
- Nubian Museum Magic: Private Tour in Aswan's Heart: $20
- Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour from Aswan: $20
- Aswan full day tour phile temple unfinished obelisk high dam : $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.68Aswan $1.19
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
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
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.