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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

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.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux is $127. 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 Bordeaux in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Bordeaux? 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 Bordeaux


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 Bordeaux Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Bordeaux $17

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 Bordeaux

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:

  • Airport Transfer: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Luxury Van: $103
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Van: $115
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Luxury Car: $137
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Car: $137
  • Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
  • Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Premium Class: $147
  • Departure Private Transfers : Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Bordeaux from Bordeaux Airport: $165
  • Private Transfer Bordeaux City to Bordeaux Airport BOD by Car: $97
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Bordeaux City: $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Bordeaux?

Prices for flights to both Bordeaux 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
    Bordeaux $49

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux

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

  • No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $64
  • Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $64
  • NO DIET CLUB - Unique food tour in Bordeaux !: $64
  • 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise: $74
  • Sweet Specialties Tasting Bakeries Food Tour: $82
  • Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour by a local guide: $85
  • Bordeaux Organic Food Tour - French Apéro Style: $93
  • Bordeaux : unforgettable Food Tour by a local guide: $96
  • Private Bakery, Chocolate & Patisserie Food Tour: $96
  • Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $103
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $107
  • Pastry Cooking Class: $107

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Bordeaux $8.46

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 Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Stone Town 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 Tours & Taxi Services : $25
  • Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25

Tours and Activities in Bordeaux

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

  • Bordeaux : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
  • Free Walking City Tour: $2.15
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Bordeaux Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • The best of Find more than wine on this self-guided audio tour: $6.99
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • City Highlights & Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Tour: $7.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
  • Centre of Explore 2,000 years of history on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
  • Bordeaux Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Guided Walking Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    Bordeaux $28

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 Bordeaux

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

  • Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $11
  • Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $11
  • Distillery Tour in Bordeaux with Spirits Tasting: $16
  • Wine Tasting Cruise: $23
  • Cité du Vin Direct Ticket and Wine Tasting: $24
  • Bordeaux Pub Crawl: $25
  • Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $27
  • Wine Tour and Tasting: $29
  • Unusual Wine Tasting Experience - Wood & Wine: $30
  • Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers: $32
  • Wine Country Vineyards Tour w/ Local Wine Tastings: $59
  • Bordeaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip: $62


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Bordeaux?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

Both Bordeaux 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, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Bordeaux. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Bordeaux 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Bordeaux in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Bordeaux. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Bordeaux. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Bordeaux 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Bordeaux in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Bordeaux. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Bordeaux. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Bordeaux during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bordeaux receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Bordeaux 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Bordeaux. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Bordeaux. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Bordeaux 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Bordeaux
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)