Which place is cheaper, London 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 London?
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 London 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 London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesLondon Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62London $292
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in London is $292. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24London $168
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48London $336
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and London
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or London? 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 London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11London $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar Transfer in Land Cruiser Prado: $220
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Zanzibar JetCar ride with drone video and transfer included: $168
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Zanzibar VIP Transfer in Mercedes-Benz: $120
- Zanzibar Airport Pickup, Stone Town Tour and Nungwi Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $98
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Jambiani: $89
- Private Transfer from Jambiani to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$20
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Heathrow Express$24
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Luggage Storage$11
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London Map$1.74
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Oyster Card$48
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$29
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Oyster Card$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- “Get In Transfer” Heathrow Airport to London Private Transfer: $150
- 8 Seater Transfer: Heathrow Airport to/from Central London: $229
- Affordable All London Airports Round-trip: Private Transfers to London Hotels: $181
- Airport - hotel - airport transfers for Heathrow groups.: $532
- Airport Transfer: $178
- Airport Transfer: Gatwick Airport LGW to London by Luxury Car: $288
- Airport Transfer: London to Gatwick Airport LGW by Luxury Car: $288
- Airport Transfer: London to Heathrow Airport LHR by Luxury Car: $176
- Airport Transfer: London to Heathrow Airport LHR by Luxury Van: $151
- Arrival Transfer: Gatwick Airport LGW to London by Business Car: $226
- Arrival Transfer: Gatwick Airport LGW to London by Luxury Van: $246
- Arrival Transfer: London Airport LHR to London by Business Car: $141
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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 $28London $80
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
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $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
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$17
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Tea$8.07
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$53
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Morning Tea$8.54
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Pastry$6.73
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Sushi Dinner for One$25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- London Food Tour of Soho & Covent Garden: $19
- The English Food You Don't Expect Food Tour of London: $68
- Authentic Japanese Cooking Class in North London Home: $94
- London Soho & Covent Garden Full Meal Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $105
- Private South Indian Home Cooking Class in London with a Local: $109
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $116
- Japanese Izakaya Dinner & Comedy Show Experience, Covent Garden: $116
- London Borough Market and London Bridge Food Tour: $118
- Indian Cooking Masterclass with Market Tour: $120
- London's East End Food Tour From Bhajis to Bagels: $120
- London Cheese Chocolate and Christmas Lights Food Tour: $123
- London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River: $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13London $44
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 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $25
- 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
- A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
- A Full Day Stone Town and Spice Farm Private Tour: $100
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Tour To Spice Farm: $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$111
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London Symphony Orchestra$46
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London Pass$63
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Comedy Show$11
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $3.54
- A Camp Self-Guided Tour of London with Paul Baker: $5.00
- Tales from the Thames Riverbank: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Central London Scavenger Hunt And Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.47
- Shoreditch Self-Guided Walking Tour: Art, Cuisine & Culture: $6.98
- Palaces and Protests Self Guided Tour of Kensington and Hyde: $6.99
- London Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h00 and 20 Audio Commentaries: $7.04
- Southwark Pirates of the Thames Quest Experience in London: $7.09
- London’s West End at War: Self-Guided WWII Puzzle Adventure: $7.09
- Jack The Ripper's London Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Hammersmith to Chiswick: A Self-Guided Audio Tour along the Riverside: $7.99
- Bustling Bloomsbury: A Self-Guided Street Photography Tour: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75London $20
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- An Epic Bar Crawl in London United Kingdom: $15
- London Pub Crawl: $29
- London Historic Pub Tour: Fleet Street Taverns, Small Group: $31
- London PUB CRAWL Shots Pints & Good Times: $34
- The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl: $34
- Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting: $41
- Potter Pub Tour for Muggles: London: $44
- Beer Babe Bar Crawl in London: $52
- Wine Tasting London Bus Tour: $57
- London Sightseeing Gusbourne Sparkling Wine Tasting & Cheese: $67
- North London Craft Brewery Tour: $67
- London Historical Pub Tour with Pilgrims and Pirates: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and London, we can see that London 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 London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or London?
London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and London, 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 London?
London 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 London in the Summer?
Both London and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than London in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than London. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than London. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or London in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and London. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is much warmer than London. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and London averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than London. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or London in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as London. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year.
It's quite cold in London in the winter. In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than London. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than London. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or London in the Spring?
Both London and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Zanzibar is much warmer than London in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as London during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than London. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.