Which place is cheaper, Boston or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Boston?
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 Boston 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 Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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 United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Boston is $255. 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 Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Boston? 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 Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Boston $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar transfer and taxi services: $15
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Standard Van: $17
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer ( Tax) To Stone Town: $19
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $21
- Zanzibar Airport transfers and Taxi services: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Boston hotels to Flynn Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $116
- Arrival Private Transfer: Boston Airport BOS to Boston City in Luxury SUV: $130
- Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $169
- Boston Airport(BOS) to Flynn Cruiseport Boston - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $158
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS): Private Transfer to Boston city: $244
- Boston Logan Airport Transfer Limo & Shuttle Service: $140
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $170
- Luxor Limo Private Transfer and City Tour: $1,195
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston 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 $17Boston $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 Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Boston $33
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem: $5.00
- Underground Railroad Audio App Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $5.95
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $5.99
- Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App: $5.99
- App Self-guided tours with Audioguide Boston: $6.46
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
- Self-Guided Boston's Beacon Hill Underground Railroad Audio Tour Walking Tour: $7.75
- Boston History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Boston's History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Boston $27
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 Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Boston?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Boston, 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 Boston?
Boston 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 Boston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Boston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Boston. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Boston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Boston. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Boston. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Boston in the Winter?
Both Boston and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Boston can be very cold during winter. Zanzibar is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Boston during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Boston. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Boston in the Spring?
Both Boston and Zanzibar during the spring 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 spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Zanzibar is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).
In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Boston. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Boston. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
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.