A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Kaunas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Kaunas?

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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas?

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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania, located at the country's center. It is a city of medieval history as well as modern entertainment with castle ruins, churches, and cathedrals, as well as galleries, museums, theatres, and outdoor recreation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius.


Which place is cheaper, Kaunas or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Kaunas is $133. 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 Kaunas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Kaunas $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Kaunas $96
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Kaunas

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Kaunas? 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Kaunas


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 Kaunas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Kaunas $17

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
  • Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Hotel Transfer Private Taxi Service: $20
  • Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
  • Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
  • Private Zanzibar Airport Transfer: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Group Transfers to Hotels and Resorts: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfer and Island Shuttle Service: $20
  • Zanzibar Aiport transfer services: $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kaunas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kaunas:

  • CO2-Offset Departure Transfer Kaunas City to Kaunas Airport KUN: $68
  • CO2-Offset Private Transfer from Kaunas to Kaunas Airport KUN: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Kaunas?

Prices for flights to both Kaunas 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zanzibar $28
    Kaunas $66

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Kaunas $21

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 Walking Tour in Zanzibar with local guide Mohamed,: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
  • Stone Town Tour: $20
  • City tours zanzibar: $20

Tours and Activities in Kaunas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaunas are as follows:

  • Best of A Modernism and Medieval History Self Guided tour: $15
  • Secrets of Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $23
  • Immersive VR Cultural Experience in Kaunas: $23
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $53
  • Kaunas Old Town tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $57
  • Kaunas Old Town Tour: Local Secrets & Hidden Corners: $58
  • Recreational Tour in Kaunas - The City of Freedom: $68
  • 1 day Self-Guided Bike Tour with Train Tickets: $68
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Kaunas: $80
  • Kaunas : Sightseeing Walking Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $115
  • Pažaislis Monastery and Church Guided Tour: $127
  • Kaunas Old Town and Aleksotas tour: $165

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.76
    Kaunas $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Kaunas, we can see that Kaunas is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Kaunas is in Europe, 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 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 Kaunas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaunas 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 Kaunas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Kaunas?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Kaunas, 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 Kaunas?

Kaunas 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 Kaunas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Kaunas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Zanzibar is a little warmer than Kaunas in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Kaunas fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kaunas this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Kaunas during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Kaunas receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Kaunas. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Kaunas 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Kaunas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Kaunas. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Zanzibar is much warmer than Kaunas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Kaunas averages at about 8°C (46°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Kaunas. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kaunas receives 99 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Kaunas. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Kaunas 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Kaunas in the Winter?

Both Kaunas and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Kaunas can be very cold during winter. In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Kaunas. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Kaunas fluctuates around -5°C (23°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Kaunas during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Kaunas receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Kaunas. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Kaunas -5°C (23°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Kaunas in the Spring?

Both Kaunas 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Kaunas in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Kaunas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Kaunas. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kaunas receives 175 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Kaunas. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Kaunas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Kaunas and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Kaunas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) -5°C (23°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) -4°C (25°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 0°C (33°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 16°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) -2°C (28°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)