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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Casablanca?

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 Casablanca 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 Casablanca?

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.

Casablanca

Casablanca is so much more than a classic Bogart movie with killer one-liners. It is also the largest, most cosmopolitan city in the country of Morocco. Sitting at the economic and industrial heart of this region, Casablanca has a population of approximately four million. Brush up on your high school French before visiting this lively city as it's the main language spoken by the locals. While this is the most liberal and progressive city in Morocco, remember to be cautious in this region of the world with your western views.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Casablanca or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Casablanca is $93. 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 Casablanca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Casablanca $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Casablanca $92
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Casablanca

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Casablanca? 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 Casablanca


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 Casablanca Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Casablanca $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
  • Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure: $20
  • Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
  • Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
  • Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
  • Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
  • Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
  • Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Casablanca

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Casablanca:


  • Train from Airport (for 2)
    $7.62
  • Taxi Ride
    $8.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Casablanca

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Casablanca:

  • 24/7 Private Transfer: Casablanca to Marrakech Airport or City: $197
  • Airport Private Transfer in Casablanca: $58
  • Airport Transfer Marrakech: $14
  • Airport Transfer from Casablanca to Fez: $147
  • Airport transfer from Casablanca airport to Marrakech: $110
  • Arrival Casablanca Airport CMN Transfer to Hotels Accommodation: $30
  • Best Private Transfer Casablanca ⇄ Mohammed V Airport (CMN): $24
  • Casablanca & Marrakech Private Transfer: $148
  • Casablanca & Marrakech Private Transfer: $210
  • Casablanca Airport (CMN) Private Transfer to Casablanca City: $18
  • Casablanca Airport (CMN) to Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $54
  • Casablanca Airport Private Transfer: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Casablanca?

Prices for flights to both Casablanca 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 $28
    Casablanca $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
  • Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • Cooking Class Tour: $90
  • A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
  • Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140

Typical Food Prices in Casablanca

Some typical examples of dining costs in Casablanca are as follows:


  • Breakfast
    $3.27
  • Lunch
    $9.80
  • Dinner at Rick's Cafe (for Two)
    $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Casablanca

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

  • Casablanca Night Tour with Andalusian Dinner Show: $53
  • Traditional Cooking Courses in Casablanca: $54
  • Food Tour with Tastings in Quartier Habous: $55
  • Maghrib Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Casablanca : Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class with Locals: $60
  • Casablanca Tour with free Traditional Moroccan Lunch or Dinner: $63
  • Casablanca City Night Tour and Traditional Moroccan Dinner: $69
  • Casablanca City Night Tour and Traditional Moroccan Dinner: $70
  • Private CousCous Cooking Class in a Traditional Family Home: $70
  • Casablanca By Night Street Food Tour: $73
  • Casablanca City Tour by Night, Dinner included: $83
  • Street Private Guided Food Tour with Tastings at Casablanca: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Casablanca $9.72

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.08
  • Nyange Sandbank & Snorkelling tour with BBQ lunch: $12
  • Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
  • Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
  • Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $16
  • Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
  • Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
  • Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
  • Stone Town tour: $18
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
  • Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20

Tours and Activities in Casablanca

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Casablanca are as follows:

  • Skip the line Hassan 2 mosque Premium Tour entry ticket included: $16
  • Skip the line Hassan II Mosque guided Tour entry tickets included: $16
  • Hassan II Mosque Premium Tour with Entry Ticket: $19
  • Hassan II Mosque & City Highlights Tour: $21
  • City Highlights Tour: $23
  • Private Guided Tour: $23
  • Casablanca Hassan II Mosque and City Highlights Tour: $24
  • Casablanca City Tour: Hassan II Mosque, Arab League Park & Sights: $24
  • Casablanca City Tour with Hassan II Mosque – 4 Options: $30
  • Hassan II Mosque Tour w/ City Highlights Option: $30
  • Skip-the-Line Hassan II Mosque Entry Ticket with Guided Tour: $30
  • Casablanca Half-day Guided Tour with Hassan II mosque ticket: $31

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Casablanca -

Sample the Local Flavors in Casablanca

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

  • Wine Tasting and Lunch at the oldest Domaine from Casablanca: $299


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Casablanca, we can see that Casablanca is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Casablanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Casablanca 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 Casablanca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Casablanca?

Casablanca has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Casablanca, 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 Casablanca?

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 Casablanca in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Casablanca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Casablanca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Casablanca. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Casablanca receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Casablanca this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Casablanca during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Casablanca receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Casablanca. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Casablanca fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Casablanca 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Casablanca in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Casablanca. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Casablanca throughout the year.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Casablanca. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Casablanca receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Casablanca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Casablanca. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Casablanca receives 233 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar is a little warmer than Casablanca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Casablanca fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Casablanca 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Casablanca in the Winter?

Both Casablanca and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Casablanca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Casablanca. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Casablanca receives 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Casablanca during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Casablanca receives 190 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Casablanca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Casablanca averages at about 13°C (55°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Casablanca 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Casablanca in the Spring?

Both Casablanca 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Casablanca year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Casablanca. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Casablanca receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Casablanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Casablanca. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Casablanca receives 262 hours of full sun.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Casablanca. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Casablanca fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Casablanca 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Casablanca and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Casablanca
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 16°C (62°F) 72 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)