Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zanzibar or Hermanus?
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 Hermanus 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 Hermanus?
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.
Hermanus
Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!
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 South Africa, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $49Hermanus $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $49, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $74. 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 Hermanus in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $23Hermanus $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $46Hermanus $54
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Hermanus
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Hermanus? 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 Hermanus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Hermanus $8.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.45
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Arrival Transfer: $11
- Zanzibar Private Airport Arrival Transfers: $11
- Private Departure Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport: $11
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfers to the Airport: $11
- Paje and Jambiani Transfers from Stone Town: $15
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to/frm Stone Town Hotels.: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Hermanus?
Prices for flights to both Hermanus 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 $16Hermanus $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Lesson | Half day: $45
- Experience Night Local Food Tour at Stone Town: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Spice farm tour with local foods cooking class: $69
- Local Swahili cooking Classes with Spice Tours: $70
- Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Class and Lunch: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $73
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $12Hermanus -
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Guided Spice Tour of Zanzibar : $12
- Africa's Paradise Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $20
- Sunset party cruise in Zanzibar with BoomBoom Boat: $20
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour without transport: $20
- Private Guided Historical Stonetown Walking Tour: $20
- Private Electric Pedicabs Tour in Zanzibar: $23
Tours and Activities in Hermanus
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:
- Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $26
- Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $59
- Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $75
- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $79
- Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $100
- Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $148
- Cape Town: Hermanus Land Based Whale Watching Tour: $149
- Hermanus Whale Watching Experience: $180
- Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $276
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.50Hermanus -
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus
Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $26
- Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $88
- Whale Watching Boat Trip and Wine tasting ,Penguin: $99
- Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Hermanus, we can see that Hermanus is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hermanus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hermanus 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 Hermanus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Hermanus?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Hermanus, 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 Hermanus?
Hermanus 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 Hermanus in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Hermanus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Hermanusin January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Hermanus fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hermanus this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Hermanus during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Hermanus receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Hermanusin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Hermanus 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hermanus in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Hermanus. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Hermanus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Hermanus fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hermanus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Hermanusin April. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hermanus receives 233 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Hermanusin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Hermanus 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hermanus in the Winter?
Both Hermanus and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Hermanus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Hermanus averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Hermanus during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Hermanus receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hermanusin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Hermanus 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hermanus in the Spring?
Both Hermanus and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Hermanusin October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Hermanus fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Hermanus, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Hermanusin October. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hermanus receives 278 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Hermanusin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Hermanus 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hermanus and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Hermanus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 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.