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

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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.

Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Zanzibar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $53, while the average daily cost in Cairo is $27. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $25
    Cairo $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $50
    Cairo $28
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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Cairo


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Cairo $4.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
  • Airport /Hotel Transfers: $20
  • Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals: $20
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
  • Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
  • Airport and Hotel Transfers: $60
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
  • Airport transfer to/from Nungwi, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, East coat and South: $60
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer: $35
  • Airport/port Transfer : $70

Typical Local Transportation prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.13
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • 2-Days Trip in Cairo & Giza (Including Free Transfer from the Airport): $143
  • Airport and excursion in Hurghada , Luxor or Cairo Transfer: $17
  • Cairo Airport Arrival Transfer: $20
  • Cairo Airport Departure Transfer : $25
  • Cairo Airport Transfer to Hotel: $25
  • Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Paradise Hotel to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx With Camel Ride,Lunch and Hotels Transfers: $23
  • Private Transfer from Cairo or Giza to Hurghada : $80
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Private airport Transfer: $15
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Sonesta Hotel Tower : $12

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zanzibar $17
    Cairo $7.32

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
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $35
  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $50
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $52
  • Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
  • Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
  • Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60

Typical Food prices in Cairo

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


  • Juice
    $0.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Unusual Cairo Food Tour : $15
  • Delicious food tour in Cairo: $15
  • 2-Hour Nile River Night Dinner Cruise from Cairo: $16
  • Family Safari, ATV Quad Bike, Buggy, Dinner, Transfer - Hurghada: $16
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile with Private Transfer from Cairo: $16
  • Super Safari ATV , Drive Buggy Car, Camel Ride, Dinner, Show-Hurghada: $19
  • Cairo Hidden Gems and Food Tour: $20
  • Dinner Cruise Cairo With Belly Dancer Show in The Nile River: $20
  • Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $22
  • Romantic Nile View Dinner: $23
  • Quad Bike ATV Camel Ride Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $23
  • local oriental food tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Cairo $8.86

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: $10
  • Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
  • Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar: $22
  • Stone town tour Zanzibar: $24
  • Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
  • Private Guided Stone Town Tour of Zanzibar: $25
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
  • Stone Town Cultural City Tour: $25

Typical Entertainment prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $1.30
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $10

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Cairo Shopping Tour.: $5.00
  • Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Perfume, Bazar Cotton Shop : $5.00
  • Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Day Tour : $8.00
  • Discover Ancient Wonders Half Day Tour Giza Pyramids and Sphinx: $8.00
  • Private tour to The Mosque of Muhammad Ali: $9.00
  • Private tour to Al-Rifa'i Mosque: $9.00
  • Private Tour to the Egyptian Museum and tour to the famous old arts of Egypt: $9.00
  • Private Tour to old Islamic Cairo and the old famous arts: $9.00
  • Cairo Half day tours to Giza Pyramids and Sphinx: $10
  • Private Cairo shopping tour to real papyrus museum Lotus oil factory jewelries: $10
  • Private Guided Shopping Tour in Cairo: $10
  • 1-Hour ATV Experience in Cairo, Egypt: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.14
    Cairo $1.81

Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:

  • Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26

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: $60

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Cairo?

Cairo is bigger, and its population is about 19.2 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the population of Zanzibar vs. 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 and the activities 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).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 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).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 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).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 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).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 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.
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Zanzibar vs. Cairo Travel Comparison

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