Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu?
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 Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu?
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.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
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 Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Kathmandu $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $54. 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 Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Kathmandu $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Kathmandu $68
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Kathmandu? 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 Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Kathmandu $5.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer and Island Shuttle Service: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Hotel Transfer Private Taxi Service: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Private Zanzibar Airport Transfer: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Group Transfers to Hotels and Resorts: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Aiport transfer services: $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride$1.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer: $87
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $7.50
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $19
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu 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 $28Kathmandu $13
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
- Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class and Spice Farm: $59
- Spice Farm Zanzibar Cooking Class Authentic Cultural Experience: $65
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Cooking Class Tour: $75
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
- Zanzibar Spice and Night Market Cooking and Street Food Tour: $80
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $97
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- half day tours spice Farm with Cooking Class: $130
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.16
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Dinner for Two$2.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
- Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $50
- Kathmandu Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $53
- Authentic Kathmandu Cooking Class and Guided Market Tour: $59
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
- Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
- Authentic Nepali Dinner with Live Cultural Show: $65
- Nepali Cultural Dinner: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Kathmandu $6.92
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Safari Blue island of Kwale Adventure: $8.00
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $14
- Zanzibar Private Spice Farm Tour With Optional Lunch: $17
- Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $17
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $17
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $20
- City tours zanzibar: $20
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $20
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar with local guide Mohamed,: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.29
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.23
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.29
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car, Temple Visit & Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $9.00
- Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage Tour with Lunch.: $9.00
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $9.50
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- KATHMANDU FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (6-hrs): $10
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.76Kathmandu $4.93
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
- Bar Tour and Pub Crawl Sip Stroll Repeat Thamel Night: $75
When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Kathmandu, we can see that Zanzibar 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 Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Kathmandu, 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.