Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Auckland?
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 Auckland 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Auckland $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $141. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Auckland $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Auckland $178
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Auckland? 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 Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Auckland $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- transfer from airport to Makunduchi Zanzibar: $44
- Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
- Zanzibar:Hotels & Airport Transfer Services: $50
- Stone Town to Airport Private Transfer: $23
- Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town: $23
- Private Airport Transfer: $50
- One-Way Airport Transfer to Your Hotel: $50
- Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
- Island Transfers: $50
- Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109
- Baraka Turtle Aquarium Tour with Hotel Transfers: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.62
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Auckland Airport Private Transfer: $81
- Airport Transfer From Auckland Airport To Auckland City: $121
- Arrival Private Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Business Car: $83
- Arrival Private Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Van: $110
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Luxury Van: $108
- Auckland Airport & Ground Transfers - Private Luxury Car/ Van.: $118
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
- Auckland Airport (AKL): Private Transfer to Downtown hotels: $353
- Auckland Airport (AKL): Transfer to North Shore hotels: $327
- Auckland Airport Arrival Transfer to North Shore or Henderson: $121
- Auckland Airport Private Pickup / Transfer: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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 $17Auckland $27
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
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $90
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $90
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Auckland $28
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Spice Tour & Mangapwani Cave Tour: $80
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $130
- Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
- Zanzibar Spice Tour : $47
- 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
- 2day Zanzibar adventure: Prison Island & Sandbank (all-incl): $538
- 3 HOURS PRISON ISLAND TOUR IN ZANZIBAR: $60
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $30
- 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$121
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Auckland's Sailing Spirit: In-App Audio Tour: $5.32
- Auckland Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- Tree Heart Park Adventure Clue Trail Family Package: $15
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $17
- Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Entry Ticket: $17
- Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
- Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket : $24
- Sky Tower General Admission Ticket: $25
- Hologate Virtual Reality Gaming Experience: $29
- The Lagoon Lights Family Experience at Tree Heart Park: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Auckland $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $93
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $106
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $132
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $150
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $150
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $153
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $171
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $172
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $178
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Auckland is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Auckland?
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Auckland, 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 Auckland?
Auckland has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Auckland in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Auckland. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Aucklandin January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auckland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aucklandin January. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Aucklandin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Auckland 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Auckland in the Autumn?
Both Auckland and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Auckland because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Auckland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Auckland fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Aucklandin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Auckland 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Auckland in the Winter?
Both Auckland and Zanzibar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Auckland this time of year.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Auckland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Auckland averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Aucklandin July. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun.
Auckland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than Aucklandin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Auckland 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Auckland in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Auckland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Aucklandin October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Auckland during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Aucklandin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Auckland 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Auckland and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Auckland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
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.