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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Baltimore?

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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore?

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.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a large, industrial city and popular tourist destination in the state of Maryland. It is about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. and is a hub of tourism and entertainment for the area. It has a vibrant nightlife, comfortable climate, and is a great place to visit when you're in the area. The city proper has a population of about 600,000 and the metropolitan area has 2.7 million. Its economy is centered around science, technology, engineering and math and it has many undergraduate and graduate schools including the world renowned Johns Hopkins University.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Baltimore or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Baltimore is $184. 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 Baltimore in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Baltimore $93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Baltimore $186
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Baltimore

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Baltimore? 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 Baltimore


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 Baltimore Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Baltimore $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
  • Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
  • Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
  • Airport Transfer to Beach Hotel: $65
  • Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
  • Airport/port Transfer : $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Baltimore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Baltimore:

  • Airport Transfer BWI Airport to Baltimore Downtown Area Only: $160
  • Airport Transfer Baltimore/Washington International Airport BWI to Washington,DC: $240
  • Airport transfer to or from Silver Spring, MD & Reagan Airport(DCA): $200
  • Arrival Private Transfer Baltimore Airport BWI to Baltimore by Business Vehicle: $111
  • BWI Airport: Transfer to Baltimore or Washington DC: $150
  • Baltimore City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $63
  • Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
  • Private Transfer to BWI or Washington DC/Airports: $160
  • Departure Private Transfer Baltimore to Baltimore Airport BWI - Business Vehicle: $111
  • Oakland to San Francisco Airport (SFO)-Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Baltimore Washington Airport BWI: $60
  • Private transfer To or Form Bethesda and Dulles International Airport: $209

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Baltimore?

Prices for flights to both Baltimore 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 $17
    Baltimore $46

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 Baltimore

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Baltimore:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2) in Fells Point
    $76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Baltimore

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Baltimore.

  • Federal Hill Food Tour: $71
  • Little Italy and Jonestown Food Tour: $73
  • Fells Point Food Tour in Baltimore: $74
  • Inner Harbor Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner: $76
  • Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $84
  • Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $84
  • Baltimore Signature Dinner Cruise: $101
  • Baltimore Buffet Dinner/Dance Cruise of the Inner Harbor: $119
  • Baltimore Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise : $126
  • Baltimore New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise: $251

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Baltimore $18

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
  • Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
  • Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $23
  • Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
  • Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
  • Stonetown City (Walking Tour): $25
  • Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
  • Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25

Tours and Activities in Baltimore

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

  • Self-guided Waterfall Hiking Tour through Great Falls National Park: $5.00
  • Downtown Baltimore In-App Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Historic & Cultural Baltimore Self-Driving Audio Guided Tour: $14
  • Antietam National Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Historical Baltimore Self-Driving Sightseeing Audio Tour: $17
  • Baltimore Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Baltimore Ghosts By US Ghost Adventures: $24
  • The Original Fells Point Ghost Walk by Baltimore Ghost Tours: $24
  • Baltimore's Cruise ship Tour-shuttle service: $25
  • Inner Harbor Sightseeing Cruise: $28
  • Baltimore Harbor Tour: $28
  • The Original Fells Point Ghost Walk by Baltimore Ghost Tours: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    Baltimore $17

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 Baltimore

Also in Baltimore, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Original Fells Point Haunted Pub Tour by Baltimore Ghost Tours: $33
  • Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • From Patapsco Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Baltimore, 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 Baltimore?

Baltimore 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 Baltimore in the Summer?

Both Baltimore and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Baltimore. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Baltimore 78°F (25°C)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Baltimore in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Baltimore. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Baltimore. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Baltimore 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Baltimore in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Baltimore. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

It's quite cold in Baltimore in the winter. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Baltimore averages at about 32°F (0°C).

In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Baltimore. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Baltimore 32°F (0°C)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Baltimore. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Baltimore for the activities around the city.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Baltimore. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Baltimore 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Baltimore
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 32°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 78°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 76°F (25°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 69°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 47°F (9°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 37°F (3°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)