Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also a fairly affordable city by global standards, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Kuala Lumpur $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $86. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Kuala Lumpur $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Kuala Lumpur $86
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Kuala Lumpur $7.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
- Airport Transfer: $90
- Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach: $60
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Jambiani Beach: $60
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $60
- Zanzibar Private Airport Transfer to Paje Beach Hotels: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.71
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.79
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Short Taxi Ride$3.71
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Taxi From Airport$22
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Bus from Airport$1.98
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.97
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Train to Airport$1.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- °Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Van]: $113
- 2 Way Transfer to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport: $25
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel TO Kuala Lumpur Hotel Door to Door Transfer: $60
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel To Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA KLIA2 Transfer: $51
- Airport Transfer From KLIA T1 /KLIA T2 to KL City Centre: $25
- Airport Transfer Private From/To KLIA, KLIA2: $22
- Airport Transfer from KLIA or KLIA2 to KL Hotel Private Shuttle: $55
- Airport Transfer: Kuala Lumpur to Airport KUL by Business Car: $98
- Aquaria KLCC Admission Ticket with One-Way or Round-Trip Transfer: $38
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $135
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Malacca: $138
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Port Dickson: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $28Kuala Lumpur $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.90
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Roti Bread$0.25
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Food Court Lunch$3.57
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour With 15+ Tastings Near KLCC: $42
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies & Blue Tears Guided Tour w Dinner (SIC): $50
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $54
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur: $55
- Glowing Firefly Tour With Dinner (SIC): $59
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- 'Kelip Kelip' Fireflies Tour include Dinner + Free Boat-Ride: $65
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour Include Seafood Dinner (Free Boat Ride): $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Kuala Lumpur $16
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 Hours Private Stone Town City Tour: $50
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
- A Private Full Day Tour To Stone Town & Spice Farm: $90
- A Stone Town Private Tour Experience in Zanzibar: $35
- Blue Lagoon, Starfish Adventure, The Rock Restaurant, Spice Tour, Secret Garden: $135
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.24
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuala Lumpur at Your Own Pace: The Complete Self-Guided Tour: $3.55
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets Cable Car Ticket: $6.40
- Urban Museum at Toffee Raja Chulan Admission Ticket: $6.62
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Guided Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.50
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- Kuala Lumpur Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Kuala Lumpur KL Tower Entry Ticket: $9.49
- Science Centre Visit Entry Ticket: $9.68
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets Cable Car Ticket: $9.99
- Selangor: Zoo Negara E-Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.70Kuala Lumpur $6.85
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Zanzibar is cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Zanzibar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Kuala Lumpur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Kuala Lumpur. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Kuala Lumpur | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.