Which place is cheaper, Canberra or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Canberra?
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 Canberra 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 Canberra?
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.
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Canberra $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $135. 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 Canberra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Canberra $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Canberra $166
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Canberra
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Canberra? 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 Canberra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Canberra $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- transfer from airport to Makunduchi Zanzibar: $44
- Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
- Zanzibar:Hotels & Airport Transfer Services: $50
- Stone Town to Airport Private Transfer: $23
- Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town: $23
- Private Airport Transfer: $50
- One-Way Airport Transfer to Your Hotel: $50
- Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
- Island Transfers: $50
- Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109
- Baraka Turtle Aquarium Tour with Hotel Transfers: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $118
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Canberra?
Prices for flights to both Canberra 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 $17Canberra $35
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 Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$17
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Canberra $17
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
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily: $13
- First Australians Tour | 3pm Daily: $13
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- LGBTQIA+ History Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Tree Ropes Course Experience in Majura Pines: $39
- Women's History Walking Tour with Local Guide: $40
- Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour: $40
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $89
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Canberra $16
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 Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $99
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $122
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $149
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Canberra, we can see that Canberra 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 Canberra is in Pacific, 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Canberra?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Canberra, 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 Canberra?
Canberra 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 Canberra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Canberra. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Canberrain January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Canberrain January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Canberra 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Canberra in the Autumn?
Both Canberra and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Canberra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Canberrain April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Canberra 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Canberra in the Winter?
Both Canberra and Zanzibar during the winter 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 winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Canberrain July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Canberra 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Canberra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Canberra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Canberrain October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Canberrain October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Canberra 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Canberra and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Canberra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.