Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Cairo?
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 Cairo 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 Cairo?
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.
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesCairo Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Cairo $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Cairo is $30. 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 Cairo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Cairo $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Cairo $20
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Cairo
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Cairo? 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 Cairo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Cairo $3.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) Private Transfer to Zanzibar: $62
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Private Airport Transfer from AAK Airport to Hotels: $40
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Private Airport transfers to any hotel in Zanzibar (Arrivals): $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- 01 way Transfer from Cairo airport to your Hotel in Giza: $13
- 01 way Transfer from hotel in Cairo to Alexandria: $50
- 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Ride At Giza Pyramids With Private Transfer: $30
- 1 Way Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Le Meridien Heliopolis: $18
- 2 Day Cairo Tour upon arrival day with airport transfer: $138
- 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $280
- 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $200
- 2 Days Tours package Include airport transfers (Cairo & Alexandria): $208
- 2-Day-One night Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
- 2-Days Trips in Cairo & Giza (Including Free Transfer from the Airport): $137
- 3-Day Private Tour from Cairo to Aswan and Return with Transfer: $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Cairo?
Prices for flights to both Cairo 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 $28Cairo $16
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
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
- Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $4.00
- Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $6.30
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $6.30
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $6.30
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $6.82
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $7.20
- Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $7.20
- Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise Belly Dancer Tanora Show Dinner Buffet: $8.10
- Giza Pyramids Sphinx Camel ATV Bike Shopping Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.10
- Giza pyramids, Sphinx, ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise&shopping: $8.10
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.10
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Cairo $8.27
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- City tours zanzibar: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.76
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$5.89
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full experience Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, inside pyramids &tombs: $2.00
- Top Day Giza Pyramids the Top complete Pyramids Tour in Cairo: $3.50
- VIP Shopping Private Tour Papyrus Perfume Bazaars and Cotton: $3.60
- Luxury Private Shopping Experience at Khan El Khalili: $3.75
- Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $3.90
- Grand Egyptian Museum&Giza Pyramids All-Inclusive Tour with Lunch: $4.00
- Shopping tour In Governmental Bazaars include guide's advisor: $4.00
- Half Day Private Tour of the Giza Pyramids with Camel Ride, Lunch: $4.00
- VIP Pyramid Tour Inside the 3rd Pyramid with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.00
- Cairo shopping advisor tour papyrus ,perfume ,golden cartouche , Egyptian cotton: $4.50
- Egyptian Spicy Shop and Egyptian Cotton Shopping Private Tour: $4.50
- Customized Shopping Tour and Egyptian Souvenir from Cairo Giza hotels: $4.50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Cairo $1.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Cairo, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Cairo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Cairo?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Cairo, 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 Cairo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Cairo in the Summer?
Both Cairo and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Cairo. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Cairo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Cairo during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 350 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Zanzibar is cooler than Cairo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Cairo averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Cairo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Cairo in the Autumn?
Both Cairo 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Cairo. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cairo. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 290 hours of full sun.
In October, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Cairo. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Cairo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Cairo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Cairo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Cairo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Cairo. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cairo during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 221 hours of full sun in the winter.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Cairo in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Cairo fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Cairo 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Cairo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Cairo. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Cairo. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Cairo. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 276 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Cairo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairo averages at about 21°C (70°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Cairo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Cairo and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Cairo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.