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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Copenhagen?

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 Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen?

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.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark. It has a small town vibe but is still a cosmopolitan city with lots of shopping, culture, and nightlife. It's a very safe and comfortable city that is easy to explore on foot. Copenhagen is the birthplace of many old fairytales, but also has modern, world class architecture and a liberal vibe. The people of Copenhagen are diverse and international. Most residents are Danes, but some come from Germany and Sweden and there are also many Middle Eastern immigrants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Denmark.


Which place is cheaper, Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen is $266. 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 Copenhagen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Copenhagen $94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Copenhagen $188
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Copenhagen

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Copenhagen? 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 Copenhagen


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 Copenhagen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Copenhagen $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kendwa: $65
  • Airport Transfer: $90
  • Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
  • Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
  • Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
  • Zanzibar Sea Fishing Boat Tour experience with Transfer: $85
  • Zanzibar Private Transfer from Michamvi Beach to the Airport: $44
  • Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $121
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Copenhagen

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


  • Bicycle Renting
    $65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Copenhagen

Also for Copenhagen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer in Copenhagen English Speaking: $143
  • Airport Transfers –Taxi Service – Limousine service: $123
  • Arrival Transfer: Copenhagen Cruise Port to Copenhagen city: $136
  • Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Copenhagen City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $245
  • Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Copenhagen Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $122
  • Copenhagen Airport Transfer Service | English Speaking: $135
  • Copenhagen Port to Copenhagen Airport (CPH)- Departure Private Transfer: $122
  • Copenhagen Port to Copenhagen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $117
  • Copenhagen Port, Airport & City Private Transfer: $132
  • Copenhagen Private Transfer from Copenhagen city centre to Copenhagen airport: $85
  • Copenhagen Roskilde Airport (RKE) to Copenhagen - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $236
  • Copenhagen Roskilde Airport (RKE) to Copenhagen Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $114

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Copenhagen?

Prices for flights to both Copenhagen 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
    Copenhagen $111

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class and Spice Farm: $59
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Cooking Class Tour: $75
  • Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
  • Zanzibar Spice and Night Market Cooking and Street Food Tour: $80
  • 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $97
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107

Typical Food Prices in Copenhagen

For Copenhagen, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Hot Dogs
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Copenhagen

For Copenhagen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Best Copenhagen Food Tour with 5+ Tastings of Danish Foods: $102
  • Copenhagen : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $104
  • Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Danish Classics: $106
  • Copenhagen Dinner Experience with Local Seniors: $106
  • Copenhagen Small-Group Food Tour: From Smørrebrød to Pastry: $107
  • Copenhagen Culinary Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Danish Classics: $109
  • Copenhagen Modern Food Tour: $149
  • Original Copenhagen food tour: 8 tastings, full meal & VIP access: $149
  • Modern City Food Tour: $149
  • E-Bike Guided Food Tour with 3 stops: $188

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Copenhagen $32

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
  • 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
  • 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
  • 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
  • 8 Days Zanzibar Discovery Adventure: $220
  • A Full Day Safari Blue Tour And Blue Lagoon: $140
  • A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
  • A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
  • A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
  • A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
  • A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87

Typical Entertainment Prices in Copenhagen

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Copenhagen's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Tour
    $9.03
  • Coffee
    $14

Tours and Activities in Copenhagen

For Copenhagen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Tour In Copenhagen with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.42
  • Copenhagen Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
  • Copenhagen Zoo Tower Entry Ticket: $3.92
  • Copenhagen's Royal History: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Copenhagen Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Luggage Pickup for Cruise travelers: $6.75
  • Copenhagen Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h30 and 29 reviews: $6.91
  • Castle Island’s Royal History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Slotsholmen: $7.99
  • Copenhagen Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.14
  • Copenhagen History and Folklore Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Frederiksborg Castle and Gardens: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • The Philosopher's Last Walk: An audio tour on the life of Søren Kierkegaard: $9.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.76
    Copenhagen $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Copenhagen

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

  • Guided Party Pub Crawl with 4 Shots and 1 Drink: $47
  • Vejrhøj Arch Hike with Wine Tasting & Lunch: $251


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Copenhagen, we can see that Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen is in Europe, 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 Copenhagen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Copenhagen, 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 Copenhagen?

Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Copenhagen. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Copenhagen this time of year.

In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Copenhagen. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Copenhagen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Copenhagen. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Copenhagen 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Copenhagen in the Autumn?

Both Copenhagen 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, many travelers come to Copenhagen for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Copenhagen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Copenhagen fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In October, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Copenhagen. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Copenhagen 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Copenhagen in the Winter?

Both Copenhagen 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. Also, many visitors come to Copenhagen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Copenhagen can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Copenhagen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Copenhagen averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Copenhagen. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Copenhagen 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Copenhagen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Copenhagen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, most visitors come to Copenhagen for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Copenhagen. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Copenhagen fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Copenhagen. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Copenhagen receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Copenhagen 7°C (45°F)

Typical Weather for Copenhagen and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Copenhagen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 1°C (33°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)