Which place is cheaper, Kampala or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Kampala?
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 Kampala 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 Kampala?
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.
Kampala
Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, and The Best Safaris in Uganda.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $52Kampala $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $52, while the average daily cost in Kampala is $69. 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 Kampala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $25Kampala $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $50Kampala $118
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Kampala
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Kampala? 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 Kampala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Kampala $2.48
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 to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
- Airport transfer to/from Nungwi, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, East coat and South: $60
- Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
- Airport/port Transfer : $70
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.33
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach Zanzibar: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
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Taxi around town$3.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
- Entebbe Airport Transfers: $80
- Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $45
- From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
- Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
- Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Kampala?
Prices for flights to both Kampala 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 $17Kampala $8.33
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
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $44
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class : $75
Typical Food Prices in Kampala
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
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Lunch for 2$1.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
- Like a local cooking Tours: $26
- Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala: $31
- Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
- Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $75
- Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
- Night-time Boda Boda Street Food Tour: $91
- Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
- uganda fun time (bed,breakfast, lunch and dinner ) : $154
- Kampala food tour: $205
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Kampala -
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 Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar.: $23
- Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
- Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
- The historic walking Tour - Stone Town Zanzibar : $25
- Stonetown City (Walking Tour): $25
- Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25
- Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
Tours and Activities in Kampala
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Uganda Community Tour: $15
- African Fabric Market Tour : $18
- Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides: $20
- Amazing Tour Experience with a local: $20
- 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque: $24
- Kampala:Guided walking tour: $25
- Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options: $25
- Tombs, King’s palace and Gaddafi mosque walk tours: $26
- Steve Kampala Walking tours: $27
- Free Female Guided Walking Tours Kampala (3 Hours): $30
- Kampala Guided walking Tour: $30
- Safe Motorbike Tour in Kampala (Boda Boda Tour): $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.91Kampala -
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 Kampala
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:
- Entebbe and club,pub and bar crawl experiences: $35
- Kampala Pub Crawl | Uganda | 4 hours: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Kampala, we can see that Kampala 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 Kampala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kampala 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 Kampala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Kampala?
Kampala has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Kampala, 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.