Which place is cheaper, Luxor 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 Luxor?
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 Luxor 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 Luxor?
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.
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, and The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesLuxor Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Luxor $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $30. 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 Luxor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Luxor $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Luxor $20
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Luxor
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Luxor? 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 Luxor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Luxor $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) Private Transfer to Zanzibar: $62
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Private Airport Transfer from AAK Airport to Hotels: $40
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Private Airport transfers to any hotel in Zanzibar (Arrivals): $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
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Taxi Ride$0.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- 2 Day Private Return Transfer from Luxor to Aswan’s Highlights: $200
- Airport private transfer Luxor airport: $21
- Airport private transfer Luxor airport: $20
- Cheap trip : Private transfer from luxor railway station to your hotel: $5.13
- Day Tour from Airport to Luxor Monuments Include Lunch Transfers Entry Guide: $150
- Deluxe Private Hurghada Airport Transfer: $15
- Departure Transfer from Luxor Airport: $13
- Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $8.00
- Edfu and Kom Ombo Day Tour with Aswan Transfer from Luxor: $105
- Edfu and Komombo Day tour with Aswan Transfer from Luxor: $147
- Edfu and Komombo Day tour with Aswan Transfer from Luxor: $90
- Exclusive Luxor To Cairo or Cairo 2 luxor Transfer Relax In Style: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Luxor?
Prices for flights to both Luxor 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 $28Luxor $15
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $10
- Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $15
- Sunset Felucca on the Nile in Luxor with Optional Lunch or Dinner: $20
- Day Tour to Local Farm with Bread Making & Cooking Class: $25
- Nile River Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Luxor (private Tour): $44
- Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House of Luxor: $45
- Cooking Session with Family in Luxor with lunch: $50
- Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
- 3-Hour Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $50
- Private Luxor Temple Night Tour with Felucca Sunset & Dinner: $55
- Sunset Felucca on the Nile in Luxor with Lunch or Dinner: $56
- Day Tour to Farm Luxor with Bread Making & Cooking Class: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Luxor $9.45
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 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 Private Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- City tours zanzibar: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Ride (for 2)$0.52
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.48
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Camel Ride for Two$1.15
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Luxor Full Day Tour East and West Bank with Sunrise Balloon Ride: $5.00
- Full Day Tour to Valley of the kings and West Banks of Luxor: $5.00
- Luxor Private Tour: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut, and Memnon: $8.00
- Luxor Day Tour: Explore Valley of Kings,Queens, Hatshepsut Temple: $8.00
- Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
- luxor Private Tour: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon: $8.49
- Private Half Day Luxor Tour Valley of Kings & Queens, Hatshepsut: $8.90
- Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
- Luxor Temple and Karnak Temples (Half Day Tour private): $9.00
- Sail into the Sunset on a Nile Felucca Cruise in Luxor: $9.00
- Tour in the East Bank of Luxor: $9.00
- Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Experience in Luxor: $9.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Luxor $2.82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Luxor, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in Luxor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Luxor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Luxor?
Luxor has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Luxor, 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 Luxor?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Luxor in the Summer?
Both Luxor and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Luxor. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's very hot in Luxor this time of the year. In July, Zanzibar is generally cooler than Luxor. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Luxor fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Luxor 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Luxor in the Autumn?
Both Luxor 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Luxor. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Luxor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Luxor fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Luxor 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Luxor in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Luxor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Luxor. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Luxor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Luxor averages at about 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Luxor 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Luxor in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Luxor. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Luxor. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Luxor. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Luxor fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Luxor 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Luxor and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Luxor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 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.