Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Johannesburg?
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 Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg?
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.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3 million people. Most of the population is made up of South Africa's black residents, who predominately reside in the Soweto area. There are approximately half a million white residents and 300,000 residents of other descent. Half of the population live in the Soweto area as well as the nearby suburbs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesJohannesburg Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Johannesburg $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $122. 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 Johannesburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Johannesburg $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Johannesburg $124
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Johannesburg
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Johannesburg? 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 Johannesburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Johannesburg $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer Anywhere: $12
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure: $20
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers & Island Shuttles – Book Now: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Aiport transfer services: $23
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
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Taxi Ride$3.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- 1-4 Passenger Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $74
- Airport & Private Shuttle and Transfer Services in Johannesburg: $76
- Airport Shuttle and Private Transfers: $39
- Airport Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB by Luxury Van: $80
- Airport Transfers (Airport-Hotel/Hotel-Airport) Johannesburg: $37
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg: $88
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg-Pretoria-Sandton: $73
- Airport Transfers OR Tambo to Sandton Hotels: $58
- Airport transfers, door to door .private transfers: $60
- Arrival Transfer: JNB Airport to Johannesburg by Business Car: $75
- Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $43
- Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Business Car: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Johannesburg?
Prices for flights to both Johannesburg 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 $28Johannesburg $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $75
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $99
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Fully Day Private Tour Spice Tour Cooking Class and Stone town: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
- Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150
- Mnemba Snorkeling Tour, Secret Garden, Stone Town Tour, Emerson Spice Dinner: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Joburg street food tour in it's oldest suburb!: $78
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $96
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $98
- Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $109
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $111
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $122
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience: $134
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Johannesburg $24
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stone Town Self Audio Guide Tour With Tourist Map: $6.00
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $15
- Stone town Private Walking Tour: $16
- Golden Walking Tour Of Stone Town Zanzibar: $17
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $17
- City Tour with French guide: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $19
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Daily Karibu Assalam Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Mapatiza Mine Guided Tour with Showroom: $4.63
- Mandela House Entry Ticket: $6.08
- Mapatiza Gemstone Mine Tour Discover Gemstone Transformation: $6.19
- Discover Hidden Treasure with Scratch Patch Experience in Midrand: $15
- Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option: $18
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $22
- Architectural Walking Tour: $25
- Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $28
- Ponte Experience: $30
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $32
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $32
- Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Johannesburg $5.37
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Johannesburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $9.14
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $157
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Johannesburg, we can see that Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Johannesburg?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Johannesburg, 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.
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.