Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $49Johannesburg $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $49, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $103. 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 $23Johannesburg $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $46Johannesburg $118
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:
- 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
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$3.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $59
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $37
- Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $431
- Airport Transfer And Return: $86
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $47
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg-Pretoria-Sandton: $94
- Airport Transfers OR Tambo to Sandton Hotels: $58
- Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $156
- Airport transfer: $32
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $68
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $77
- Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $41
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 $16Johannesburg $18
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Maboneng Street Art and Street Food Tour: $50
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $83
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $106
- Lesedi Cultural Village Day Tour including Buffet Dinner: $129
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $12Johannesburg $23
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 Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Johannesburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $19
- Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $19
- Architectural Walking Tour: $25
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $26
- Ponte Experience: $29
- Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $32
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $32
- Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $32
- Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
- Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $32
- Johannesburg Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.50Johannesburg $5.12
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 Johannesburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $8.80
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $132
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.