Which place is cheaper, Essaouira 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 Essaouira?
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 Essaouira 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 Essaouira?
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.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Essaouira $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $60. 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 Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Essaouira $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Essaouira $56
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Essaouira? 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 Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Essaouira $2.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Transfer in Range Rover Sport: $300
- Zanzibar Must-see Sights with Lunch and Transfers: $249
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- The Top Best Tour in Stone Town and Prison Island with Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Kizimkazi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $96
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $96
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
- Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $88
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kendwa: $87
- Private Transfer from Kendwa to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $87
- Private Transfer from Kiwengwa to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- "Essaouira to Agafay Desert Marrakech: Exclusive Private Transfer: $92
- Essaouira Airport Private Transfer: $34
- Essaouira P13: 2h quad + 2h camel free transfer: $92
- Essaouira P17: Quad ride dunes beaches free transfer.: $34
- Essaouira P1: Quad ride / family & friends (free transfer): $34
- Essaouira P3: Quad and Buggy tour beach dunes free transfer: $34
- Essaouira to Marrakech:Private Transfer for a Hassle-Free Journey: $72
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $39
- From Agadir : Day in Essaouira with Transfer: $33
- Marrakech : Private Transfer from or to Marrakech Airoport: $23
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $128
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira 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 $28Essaouira $25
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
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $75
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $99
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Fully Day Private Tour Spice Tour Cooking Class and Stone town: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
- Mnemba Snorkeling Tour, Secret Garden, Stone Town Tour, Emerson Spice Dinner: $150
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.50
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Breakfast Crepes$0.53
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Fish for Lunch$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agadir Cooking Class Experience with Local Market Visit: $30
- Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $47
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $52
- Essaouira Street Food Tour: $68
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $70
- Essaouira Cooking Class: $75
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $214
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Essaouira $13
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $19
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $68
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Essaouira to Marrakech Supratours bus tickets: $18
- Essaouira Camel Ride, Quad Bike & Buggy Adventure: $22
- Scenic Horseback Adventure Along Essaouira’s Beaches: $25
- Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $34
- 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira desert: $34
- Essaouira P6: Cape Sim quad bike tour: $34
- Sunset Horse Ride Experience in Essaouira: $34
- Quad Adventure in 1 Hour: $34
- 1-Hour Scenic Quad Bike Tour: Discover Essaouira’s Coastline: $35
- Essaouira Experience Bike Quad: $41
- Essaouira 2-Hour Camel Adventure Ride: $41
- Essaouira Dar Sultan Palace Horseback Tour Experience: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Essaouira $9.82
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 comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Essaouira, we can see that Zanzibar 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 Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Essaouira?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Essaouira, 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.