Which place is cheaper, Manila or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zanzibar or Manila?
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 Manila 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 Manila?
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.
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Manila $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Manila is $93. 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 Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Manila $54
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Manila? 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 Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Manila $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar transfer and taxi services: $15
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Standard Van: $17
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer ( Tax) To Stone Town: $19
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $21
- Zanzibar Airport transfers and Taxi services: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Airport Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila 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 dayZanzibar $17Manila $18
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
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Night Market and food tour Experience: $58
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Manila $19
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $23
- Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
- Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
- Stonetown City (Walking Tour): $25
- Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $46
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Manila $9.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Manila, we can see that Manila 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 Manila 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila 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 Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Manila, 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 Manila?
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 Manila in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Manila. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Manila in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Manila in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Manila. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Manila. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Manila. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Manila averages at about 26°C (79°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Manila in the Winter?
Both Manila and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Manila. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Manila. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Manila in the Spring?
Both Manila 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Manila in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (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.