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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Jakarta?

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 Jakarta 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 Jakarta?

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.

Jakarta

As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Jakarta 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 Jakarta is $68. 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 Jakarta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Jakarta $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Jakarta $60
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Jakarta

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Jakarta? 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 Jakarta


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 Jakarta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Jakarta $18

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:


  • Taxi to Station
    $0.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta

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

  • Airport Jakarta, Private Transfer: $26
  • Airport Transfer: $30
  • Airport Transfer Jakarta ( Private Car ): $30
  • All-inclusive Private Jakarta Airport Transfer: $15
  • Departure Private Transfer: Jakarta City to Jakarta Airport CGK: $111
  • Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Bandung/Lembang Arrival Transfer: $71
  • Jakarta Airport CGK to Bandung or Lembang Round Trip Transfer: $142
  • Jakarta Airport Transfer Service: $20
  • Jakarta Airport Transfer for Small/Big Group: $28
  • Jakarta Airport Transfers : Jakarta Airport CGK to Jakarta City in Business Van: $111
  • Jakarta Arrival Private Transfers from Jakarta Airport CGK to Jakarta City: $111
  • Jakarta Full-Day Highlights Tour with Transfer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Jakarta?

Prices for flights to both Jakarta 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
    Jakarta $26

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

Typical Food Prices in Jakarta

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:


  • Dinner
    $2.44
  • Dinner
    $0.67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta

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

  • Fun Food Tour Jakarta: $30
  • Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
  • Jakarta Night Tour with Dinner at Café or Food street: $50
  • Kota Tua Food Tour: $64
  • Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
  • Halfday Batavia by Night with dinner at Cafe Batavia & souvenir: $120
  • Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Jakarta $11

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

Tours and Activities in Jakarta

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

  • Jakarta City Center: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Jakarta Tour Guide: $25
  • Watercolor & Wellness : A Healing Art Therapy Experience: $27
  • Jakarta Culture and History Walking Tour: $33
  • Jakarta Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $37
  • Jakarta Fun Walkingtour ~ Using Public Transportations: $37
  • 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
  • Jakarta Half Day Visit The Monument with Highlight City Tour: $45
  • Jakarta Half Day Shared Guided Tour Visit Monument and Old Town: $47
  • Pasar Baru Foodie Tour: $49
  • Jakarta Half-Day Highlights Tour: $50
  • Afternoon Guided Chinatown Tour in Jakarta: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Jakarta $3.78


When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Jakarta, we can see that Jakarta 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. Even though Zanzibar is in Africa and Jakarta is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Jakarta Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Jakarta?

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