Which place is cheaper, Doha or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Doha?
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 Doha 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 Doha?
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.
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $50Doha $200
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $50, while the average daily cost in Doha is $200. 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 Doha in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Doha $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Doha $238
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Doha
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Doha? 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 Doha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Doha $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $20
- Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
- Airport/port Transfer : $70
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.45
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Luxury Sedan: $125
- Karibu Kwetu Zanzibar Tours & Transfers: $47
- Private Airport to any hotel transfer: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Airport Transfer - From and To Hammad International Airport: $25
- Airport Transfer: Doha Airport DOH to Doha by Luxury Car: $110
- Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Business Car: $80
- Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Car: $110
- Doha Airport Transfer: $99
- Doha Night Desert Safari Camel Ride Dune Bashing with Transfer: $66
- ONE WAY: Doha International Airport - Private Transfer From/to Hotels: $122
- Private Arrival Transfer - Doha: $50
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport or Port to Lusail: $80
- Private Doha Airport Transfer to Doha, Qatar: $139
- Private Transfer from Doha City to Doha (DOH) Airport: $194
- Private Transfer from Doha Cruise Port to Doha City Hotels : $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Doha?
Prices for flights to both Doha 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 $16Doha $61
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
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Zanzibar pizza making & wine tasting: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class : $75
- Cooking Class Tour: $77
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- Kidichi Kitchen Experience: Traditional Cooking Masterclass: $105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Private Dinner on Safliya Island: $65
- Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
- Food Tour in The Pearl Qatar Island: $139
- Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
- Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra Tour: $202
- Full Day Desert Private Safari with Lunch or Dinner: $214
- Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
- Doha : Full Day Desert Safari | BBQ Dinner | Inland sea: $237
- Full Day Desert Safari with Lunch/Dinner in Desert Camp: $280
- Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Doha $18
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $25
- Private Walking Tour in Stone Town: $25
- Stone Town Cultural City Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Stone Town walking tour, shopping, history and culture: $26
- Zanzibar Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $26
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Al Safliya Island Photo Tour: $25
- Doha City Tour with Pick Up & drop off Airport or Cruise Terminal: $45
- Doha Sunset Boat Cruise with Drinks: $48
- Moonlight Boat Cruise with Drinks: $48
- Arabian Sands Half-Day Adventure in Qatar: $50
- Doha Shopping Tour: $59
- Katara Culture Tour with Arabic Dhow Cruise: $62
- Doha Night Desert Safari Adventure: $65
- Explore Heart of Qatar Doha City Tour with Professional Guide: $65
- Private City Tour: $65
- Private City Tour from Doha : $65
- Private North of Qatar Tour: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Doha $15
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Doha, we can see that Doha 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 Doha is in Middle East, 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha 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 Doha Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Doha?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Doha, 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.
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.