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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Freeport?

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 Freeport 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 Freeport?

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.

Freeport

When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.

This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.


Which place is cheaper, Freeport 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 Freeport is $290. 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 Freeport in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Freeport $141
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Freeport $282
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Freeport

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Freeport? 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 Freeport


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 Freeport Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Freeport $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Zanzibar VIP Transfer in Range Rover Sport: $300
  • Zanzibar JetCar ride with drone video and transfer included: $168
  • The Top Best Tour in Stone Town and Prison Island with Transfer: $130
  • Private Nakupenda Beach Day with Seafood Lunch and Transfers: $126
  • Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
  • Private Transfer from Kizimkazi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $98
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $98
  • Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
  • Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kiwengwa: $88
  • Private Transfer from Bwejuu to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport

Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $77
  • Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
  • Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $77
  • Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay -Round-Trip Transfer: $153
  • Grand Bahama Airport(FPO) to Freeport -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $153
  • Luxury SUV Transfer from Airport, cruise port, Celebration Key: $133
  • Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $77
  • Private One way Airport Transfer in Freeport: $180
  • Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $180
  • Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort: $252
  • Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $67
  • Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Freeport?

Prices for flights to both Freeport 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
    Freeport $110

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
  • 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
  • Cooking Class Tour: $90
  • A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
  • Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport

For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Freeport $40

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
  • 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
  • 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $25
  • 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport

For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 10 Dive Package
    $299
  • 4 Hr. Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Freeport

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.

  • Tour of Coral Vita and breach brak at Banana bay beach club: $51
  • Junkanoo Village Beach Club Unlimited Rum Punch Experience: $55
  • Coopers Castle and Port Lucaya Marketplace Tour: $60
  • Rumbo Tour: $60
  • Junkanoo Village Beach Club Experience: Lunch & Signature Drink: $70
  • Swim with the Pigs Freeport @Creative Eco Adventures: $72
  • Mamma Gal Native Experience: $80
  • Mamma Gal Celeb-Key Native Exp. Shared Tour: $80
  • Grand Bahama Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Drinks and Snacks: $89
  • Mamma Gal East End Native Experience: $95
  • Grand Bahama Foodie Tour: $120
  • Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Freeport $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:

  • Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs: $85
  • Grand Bahama Brewery and Distillery Tour: $120


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Freeport?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Freeport, 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.