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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Berlin?

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 Berlin 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 Berlin?

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.

Berlin

Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany. As such, travelers can expect typical European prices for everything from hotels to food to sights and attractions. While it's possible to experience this city on a cheaper budget, don't expect to get much without paying a decent amount.

With a population of about 4.5 million, Berlin is a very international city that is well known for its high level of tolerance, an eclectic nightlife, an artistic vibe and many historical sights. There are museums, palaces and landmarks spread throughout the city. Despite having a significant amount of damage during the last few years of World War II, Berlin has been rebuilt with an interesting diversity of architecture styles. This is particularly true after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Architecture in the city represents many different historical periods ranging from medieval buildings through modern, glass structures.

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


Which place is cheaper, Berlin 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 Berlin is $147. 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 Berlin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Berlin $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Berlin $136
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Berlin

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Berlin? 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 Berlin


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 Berlin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Berlin $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • From Mystery Day Safari with Transfer: $500
  • Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Daressalam with two way transfers : $260
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Kiwengwa: $200
  • Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise with Transfers.: $149
  • Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
  • Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure with hotel transfer: $138
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
  • Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Luxury Sedan: $125
  • Ferry Zanzibar :Transfer services: $120
  • Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
  • Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Berlin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:


  • Short Trip Metro Ticket
    $1.50
  • Bahn Ticket
    $3.21
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin

Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Berlin to Dresden with 2 Hours of Sightseeing: $245
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Berlin Airport BER to Berlin City by Luxury Van: $141
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Berlin Airport BER to Berlin City in Business Car: $134
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Brandenburg Airport BER to Berlin in Luxury Car: $141
  • Arrival Transfer from Berlin Train Station to Berlin by Sedan: $72
  • Arrival Transfer: Berlin Airport BER to Berlin in Business Car: $108
  • Arrival Transfer: Berlin Airport BER to Berlin in Luxury Van: $113
  • Berlin Airport (BER) to Berlin - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Berlin Airport (SXF) to Berlin - Arrival Private Transfer : $32
  • Berlin Airport Arrival Transfer to Potsdam Hotels: $173
  • Berlin Airport Transfers : Berlin City to Berlin Airport SXF in Business Car: $80
  • Berlin Airporttransfer, Driver, Chauffeur, Limousinenservice: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Berlin?

Prices for flights to both Berlin 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
    Berlin $56

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 Berlin

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


  • Sandwich and Coffee To Go
    $5.36
  • Turkish Sandwich
    $2.14
  • Currywurst
    $2.14
  • 2 Pho Noodles
    $9.64
  • Restaurant Dinner and Beers (for 2)
    $64
  • Mauer Park (2)
    $12
  • Coffees at Impala
    $8.36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin

For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • English Comedy Ticket including Pizza in Berlin Mitte: $18
  • English Stand-Up Comedy with Pizza and Shots: $19
  • Hard Rock Cafe Berlin with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Berlin With Set Lunch or Dinner : $34
  • Berlin Mitte kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • Kreuzberg kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • No Diet Club - Street Food Tour with many Tastings !: $59
  • Evening Yacht Cruise with Aperitif & Optional Dinner: $64
  • Evening Food Tour by Bike: $70
  • Sicilian Cooking Workshop with unlimited drinks: $70
  • Sharing plate food tour in Berlin: $76
  • Dinner Cruise on the Spree with Prosecco: $80

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

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 Berlin

For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Berlin Zoo (2)
    $21

Tours and Activities in Berlin

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Old Berlin": $3.22
  • Selfguided Audiotour "Center of Power": $3.22
  • Rude Bastards tour of Medieval Berlin: $3.23
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Berlin: $3.23
  • Third Reich and Holocaust Self Guided Audio Tour: $3.23
  • Self Guided Tours Berlin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Berlin Alternative Street Art Tour: $3.28
  • Rude Bastards tour of Medieval Berlin: $3.28
  • Berlin tour - Free offer - in Italian: $3.77
  • Museum Island Self Guided Audio Tour: $3.77
  • Escape Game and Tour: $3.77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    Berlin $18

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Berlin

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:


  • Drinks at a Show
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin

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

  • VIP Pub Crawl with Drinks and Challenges: $16
  • brewery tour with beer tasting: $19
  • Vagabund Brauerei Beer Tasting & Guided Brewery Tour: $24
  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Club Entry: $24
  • Berlin Pub Crawl and Nightlife Clubbing tour: $33
  • The Showgirls of Burlesque: $46
  • Showgirls of Burlesque Entry Ticket: $70
  • Berlin:sunset boat trip with Argentine wine tasting and food: $215
  • German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $251
  • German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $255
  • Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $404


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Berlin?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Berlin, 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 Berlin?

Berlin 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 Berlin in the Summer?

Both Berlin 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Berlin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Berlin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Berlin. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Berlin. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Berlin 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Berlin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Berlin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Berlin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Berlin fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Berlin. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Berlin 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Berlin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Berlin. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Berlin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Berlin. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Berlin averages at about -0°C (31°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Berlin. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Berlin -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Berlin in the Spring?

Both Berlin and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Berlin during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Berlin. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Berlin 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Berlin and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Berlin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) -0°C (31°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 1°C (33°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 4°C (40°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 9°C (47°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 2°C (35°F) 51 mm (2 in)