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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Dublin?

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 Dublin 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin

Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Dublin 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 Dublin is $209. 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 Dublin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Dublin $79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Dublin $158
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Dublin

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Dublin? 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 Dublin


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 Dublin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Dublin $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) Private Transfer to Zanzibar: $62
  • Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
  • Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
  • Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport/port Transfer: $70
  • Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
  • Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
  • Private Airport Transfer from AAK Airport to Hotels: $40
  • Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
  • Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
  • Private Airport transfers to any hotel in Zanzibar (Arrivals): $30

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin

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


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • 1 to 8 People Private Transfer from Dublin Airport to City Centre: $89
  • Arrival Transfer Dublin Airport to Dublin City by Van or Car: $133
  • Arrival Transfer: Dublin Airport DUB to Dublin in Business Car: $117
  • Child Friendly | Dublin Airport Transfer: $184
  • Departure Transfer Dublin to Dublin Airport by Van or Car: $133
  • Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Luxury Van: $127
  • Driven by Excellence , Defined by Prestige Wheels Transfers: $93
  • Dublin Airport & City Transfers: $237
  • Dublin Airport Or Dublin City To Tankardstown House Private Chauffeur Transfer: $226
  • Dublin Airport To Arklow County Wicklow Private Car Transfer: $296
  • Dublin Airport To Conrad Hotel Dublin Private Chauffeur Transfer: $194
  • Dublin Airport To Druid Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Private Chauffeur Transfer: $285

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Dublin?

Prices for flights to both Dublin 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
    Dublin $99

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
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
  • Cooking Class Tour: $90
  • A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
  • Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150

Typical Food Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    $4.60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

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

  • Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $32
  • Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $65
  • NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $73
  • Irish Dinner & Dance Show at Johnnie Fox’s: $87
  • Celtic Nights with Irish Dinner, Music & Dance Show: $89
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $93
  • Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket: $101
  • Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $115
  • Local Food Tour with 8 Tastings and Drinks: $116
  • Walking Food Tour with local chef, 7 stops or more!: $116
  • Dublin Historical Centre Food Tour with 7 Food Tastings & Drinks: $133
  • Private Dublin Food Tour with Expert Local Guides: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Dublin $29

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
  • Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
  • Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
  • Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $18
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
  • Stone Town tour: $18
  • Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
  • Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
  • City tours zanzibar: $20
  • Stone Town Tour: $20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin

Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    $30
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    $31
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    $5.24
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    $7.33

Tours and Activities in Dublin

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

  • Self-Guided Tours In Dublin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.54
  • Historic Landmarks Walking Tour: $4.65
  • Turtle Bunbury's A Self-Guided Audio Tour from a Celebrated Author: $5.99
  • Ardgillan Castle Entry Ticket: $6.98
  • Interactive Guided Tour of Printing History: $7.10
  • Temple Bar Walking Tour Myths, Music and the Making of Dublin: $8.23
  • Discover Dublin A Private Tour: $9.46
  • The Mystical Hill of Tara: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Dublin Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
  • TOP Dublin : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
  • Saint Patrick's Cathedral Dublin Entry Ticket: $14
  • Christ Church Cathedral Entrance Ticket & Self-Guided Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Dublin $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

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

  • Awesome Bar Crawl in Dublin Ireland: $15
  • Generation Pub Crawl: $16
  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $23
  • The Black Experience Pub Tour: $24
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $26
  • City Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Roe & Co Distillery Experiences: $33
  • Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings: $36
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour and Tasting 45 mins: $37
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Guided tour and Tasting in French: $37
  • Jameson Distillery Secret Whiskey Tasting Experience: $47
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital: $47


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Dublin?

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

Dublin 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 Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Dublin. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Dublin 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Zanzibar during the autumn 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 city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dublin. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Dublin 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Dublin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Dublin. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Dublin 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Dublin. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Dublin in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Dublin. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Dublin 8°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dublin and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Dublin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 6°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (60°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (56°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 6°C (44°F) 76 mm (3 in)