Which place is cheaper, Durban or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Durban 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.
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.
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $52, while the average daily cost in Durban is $52. 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 Durban in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Durban? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Durban 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Durban, we can see that Durban 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 Durban Expensive?.
Durban has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Durban, 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.
Durban has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Durban and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Durbanin January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Durban fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Durbanin January. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durban receives 184 hours of full sun.
Durban gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Durbanin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Durban receives 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Durban. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Durban in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Durban fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durban this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Durban during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Durban receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Durbanin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Durban receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Durban. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Durban. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Durban averages at about 17°C (62°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durban. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durbanin July. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durban receives 230 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Durbanin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Durban receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Durban and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Durbanin October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Durban fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Durban during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Durban receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Durbanin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Durban receives 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Zanzibar | Durban | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |