Which place is cheaper, Houston or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Houston?
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 Houston 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 Houston?
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.
Houston
The largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, Houston is a sprawling urban center that has grown from its wealth in the oil industry. Visitors today are drawn to its cultural diversity which has additionally made Houston a foodie destination. Other attractions to Houston include its proximity to NASA's Space Center Houston on the Gulf coast, and its Downtown which features a vibrant museum and arts scene, shopping, and dining.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Houston $262
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Houston is $262. 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 Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Houston
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Houston? 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 Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
- Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
- Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport Transfer to Beach Hotel: $65
- Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
- Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
- Airport/port Transfer : $70
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH in Business Car: $106
- Departure Private Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH in Luxury SUV: $109
- George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Transfer: $194
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): Transfer to Houston: $349
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
- Houston to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $81
- Round-Trip Shuttle Transfer to NASA Space Center: $54
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston 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 $17Houston $35
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Houston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $76
- Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $85
- Houston Downtown: Secret Food Tours: $87
- Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour: $90
- East Downtown Food Tour: $90
- Montrose Food Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Houston $14
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $23
- Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
- Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
- Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
- Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sights of Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.31
- Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $9.00
- Downtown In App Audio Walking Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Operation City Quest: $10
- Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern History Tour: $12
- Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $14
- Austin & Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Children's Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $17
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Houston with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Family Guy Experience - Houston: $25
- Museum of Natural Science General Admission Ticket: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Houston $13
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 Houston
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
- Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
- 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70
- Downtown Houston Brewery Bike Tour : $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Houston, we can see that Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Houston?
Houston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Houston, 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 Houston?
Houston 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 Houston in the Summer?
Both Houston and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zanzibar is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Houston. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Houston in the Autumn?
Both Houston and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Houston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In January, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Houston. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Houston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Houston. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Houston because of the activities around the city.
In April, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Houston. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.