Which place is cheaper, Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Kyoto $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $108. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Kyoto $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Kyoto $120
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Kyoto $7.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
- Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Private Airport Transfer from AAK Airport to Hotels: $40
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach Zanzibar: $44
- Private Arrival Transfer in Zanzibar: $40
- Private Departure Transfer in Zanzibar: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $120
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Kyoto to Each City in Kansai: $250
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka or Kyoto Private Transfer: $107
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $120
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $164
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
- Private Transfer Kyoto Station to Kyoto City: $120
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $137
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $152
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $221
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $28Kyoto $39
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
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
- Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Japanese Sweets (Nerikiri) Cooking Class & Matcha tea: $24
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $41
- Kyoto Izakaya Hopping: Pontocho & Gion Local Food Tour: $46
- Nishiki Market Food Tour-7 Tastings: $51
- Kyoto Home Cooking Class: Okonomiyaki & Japanese Cuisines: $51
- Japanese Cooking Class: $59
- T9 Kyoto Night Food Tour in Gion and Pontocho: $64
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $69
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $70
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $70
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $70
- Japanese Cuisine Cooking Class in Kyoto: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Kyoto $12
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Nyange Sandbank & Snorkelling tour with BBQ lunch: $12
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- City Tour with French guide: $18
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $19
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- City tours zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Daily Karibu Assalam Tour: $20
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $3.17
- Kyoto Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $6.97
- Tea Ceremony Experience (includes Matcha grinding demonstration): $8.05
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $12
- Gion Magical Night Walking Tour: $13
- Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
- Kyoto Sightseeing Pass E ticket: $15
- Kyo-Machiya Tea Room & Ikebana Experience near Fushimi Inari: $16
- Ticket to Sake Tasting Night in Fushimi: $16
- Kyoto Traditional Kintsugi Repair Experience in Central Kyoto: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Kyoto $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $75
- Kyoto sake brewery experience tour (Includes 4 sake tastings): $79
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $81
- Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery: $86
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $94
- Hidden Bar Crawl in Pontocho & Gion (Food & Drink Incl.): $105
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $108
- Kyoto Kyo-Yuzen Craft Workshop Day Tour and Sake Brewery Visit: $141
- Private Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Certified Expert & Inside Access: $152
- Visit Whisky Distillery Tour from Kyoto: $225
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Kyoto, 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 Kyoto?
Kyoto 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 Kyoto in the Summer?
Both Kyoto and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kyoto in the Autumn?
Both Kyoto and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kyoto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Kyoto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun.
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Kyoto. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kyoto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Kyoto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kyoto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Kyoto can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Kyoto averages at about 5°C (40°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Kyoto. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kyoto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Kyoto. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Kyoto. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.