Which place is cheaper, Durban or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zanzibar or Durban?
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 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.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Durban?
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.
Durban
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.
-
Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesDurban Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Durban $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Durban 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 Durban in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Durban $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Durban $54
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Durban
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.
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 Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Durban $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $250
- Private Return Transfer From Zanzibar Airport To Paje: $140
- The Top Best Tour in Stone Town and Prison Island with Transfer: $130
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $120
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $99
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kizimkazi: $99
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $99
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
- Private Transfer from Bwejuu to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Jambiani: $89
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kendwa: $89
- Private Transfer from Kiwengwa to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $50
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $51
- Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $66
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $51
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Durban?
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.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $30Durban $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- 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
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Durban $18
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: $145
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
- Mnemba Island, Nungwi Village & Sea Turtle Experience: $160
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $120
- Stone Town Historical tour: $26
- Stone town historical walking tour with Mohamed: $30
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $25
- 3h-Zanzibar Archipelago Shared ATV Experience: $79
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $6.37
- Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $8.97
- Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $9.22
- 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $9.26
- Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $11
- Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise: $12
- Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $12
- From Half Day Durban City Tour: $53
- Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $54
- Local Markets and Culture Guided Walking Tour: $64
- Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $65
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour: $84
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Durban $14
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?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Durban?
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.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar or Durban?
Durban 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 Durban in the Summer?
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.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Durban 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Durban in the Autumn?
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.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Durban 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Durban in the Winter?
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.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Durban 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Durban in the Spring?
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.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Durban 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Durban and Zanzibar
| 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) |
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.