Which place is cheaper, Diani 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 Diani?
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 Diani 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 Diani?
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.
Diani
Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesDiani Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Diani $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. 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 Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Diani $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Diani? 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 Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Diani $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar transfers and Taxi: $35
- Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Michamvi Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Kendwa Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Kendwa Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Jambiani Beach: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi and Airport transfers: $70
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $65
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $76
- Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65
- Sneaky Feet Mombasa City Guided Walking Tour With Transfer.: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani 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 $28Diani $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 Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $49
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
- Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani
For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Diani Beach: Special Dinner with a Local: $50
- A ROMANTIC BEACH BONFIRE DINNER SET UP: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dolphin tour,See food lunch ,Aquarium ,Nunqwi beach,Sunset cruse: $135
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Group Tour to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank: $120
- Stone Town And Spice Farm Tour: $140
- Stone Town Historical tour: $26
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 Hours Private Stone Town City Tour: $50
- 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $25
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $25
- 3h-Zanzibar Archipelago Shared ATV Experience: $270
- 4-Day Private Marangu Tour for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: $1,610
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Stori Baharini: Story telling walking tour in Diani Beach: $10
- Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
- Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $27
- Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
- Diani Beach: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $28
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
- Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $34
- Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $35
- Diani Beach: Private African Pool Map Guided Tour: $35
- Samburu: Traditional Activities Experience: $40
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Estuary Sundowner Boat Tour: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Diani $8.88
When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Diani, we can see that Diani is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.
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.