Which place is cheaper, Karachi or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Karachi?
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 Karachi 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 Karachi?
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.
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, and The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Karachi $26
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Karachi is $26. 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 Karachi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Karachi $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Karachi $22
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Karachi
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Karachi? 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 Karachi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Karachi $4.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar transfer and taxi services: $15
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Standard Van: $17
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer ( Tax) To Stone Town: $19
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $21
- Zanzibar Airport transfers and Taxi services: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Airport Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Karachi?
Prices for flights to both Karachi 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 $17Karachi $11
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 Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Karachi $5.07
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
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
- Stonetown City (Walking Tour): $25
- Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Karachi $3.35
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Karachi, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Karachi is in Asia, 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 Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Karachi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Karachi?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Karachi, 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 Karachi?
Karachi 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 Karachi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Karachi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In the summer, Zanzibar is cooler than Karachi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Karachi averages at about 30°C (86°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Karachi during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 155 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karachi. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Karachi 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Karachi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Karachi. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Zanzibar is generally cooler than Karachi. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Karachi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karachi. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 284 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Karachi. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Karachi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Karachi in the Winter?
Both Karachi and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Karachi in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Karachi fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Karachi during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 271 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Karachi. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Karachi 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Karachi in the Spring?
Both Karachi and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Karachi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Karachi averages at about 29°C (84°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Karachi. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 277 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Karachi. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Karachi 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Karachi and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Karachi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.