Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Honolulu?
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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Honolulu $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- From Mystery Day Safari with Transfer: $500
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Daressalam with two way transfers : $260
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Kiwengwa: $200
- Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
- Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise with Transfers.: $149
- Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
- Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure with hotel transfer: $138
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Luxury Sedan: $125
- Ferry Zanzibar :Transfer services: $120
- Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
- Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Honolulu HNL Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $272
- Arrival Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by Executive Car: $157
- Arrival Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by SUV: $211
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $181
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Minivan (up to 5 people): $90
- Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 people): $130
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by SUV(up to 6 people): $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $17Honolulu $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $480
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Honolulu $40
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Spice Tour & Mangapwani Cave Tour: $80
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $130
- Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
- Zanzibar Spice Tour : $47
- 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
- 2day Zanzibar adventure: Prison Island & Sandbank (all-incl): $538
- 3 HOURS PRISON ISLAND TOUR IN ZANZIBAR: $60
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $30
- 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
- Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
- USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
- Oahu: Honolulu 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Honolulu $6.47
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu is in North America, 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Honolulu?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
Both Honolulu 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. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In the summer, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Honolulu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Honolulu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Honolulu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Honolulu. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Honolulu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Honolulu. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Honolulu in the Spring?
Both Honolulu and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Honolulu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
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.