Which place is cheaper, Mombasa or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa?
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.
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $52Mombasa $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $52, while the average daily cost in Mombasa is $65. 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 Mombasa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $25Mombasa $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $50Mombasa $54
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Mombasa
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Mombasa? 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 Mombasa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Mombasa $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
- Zanzibar:Hotels & Airport Transfer Services: $50
- Stone Town to Airport Private Transfer: $23
- Splash Transfer: $60
- Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town: $22
- Private Airport Transfer: $50
- Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
- Island Transfers: $50
- Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109
- Baraka Turtle Aquarium Tour with Hotel Transfers: $80
- Airport_Hotel and Destination Transfer Service: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Mombasa Moi International Airport(MBA): $75
- Airport Transfers to Watamu and Malindi : $75
- Diani Airport – Kenya Coast Beach Hotel Transfers: $131
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $44
- Mombasa Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $74
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $105
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $74
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Nyali, Bamburi & Shanzu: $33
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Vipingo and Kilifi: $86
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Mombasa?
Prices for flights to both Mombasa 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 $17Mombasa $24
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
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $44
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class : $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $45
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Fort Jesus Mombasa Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $46
- Dhow Cruise Tour And Dinner Or Lunch Tours.: $51
- Experience Swahili Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local Host.: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Mombasa $18
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
- Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
- Zanzibar Spice Tour : $47
- 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 2day Zanzibar adventure: Prison Island & Sandbank (all-incl): $535
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $30
- 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $33
- 3h Stonetown walking tour (zanzibar): $30
- 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $155
- 5-Hour Mangapwani Historical Cave Tour in Zanzibar: $69
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Holy Ghost Cathedral (1914) entry and guided tour: $10
- Mombasa walking tour: $16
- Mombasa walking tour: $20
- 2 hour Authentic Cultual Experience: $25
- Mombasa:Street food Experience: $27
- Mombasa Fun and hidden Gems tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $30
- Private Canoe Tour to Experience the Gorgeous Kongo River Estuary: $30
- Mombasa Old Town Walking Tour: $30
- Mombasa City Tour,Fortjesus,Oldtown,Tusks and Spice Market.: $35
- Mombasa City: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $36
- Mombasa City Half Day Walking Tour And Street Food Tasting.: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.91Mombasa $8.99
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 Mombasa, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Mombasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mombasa 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 Mombasa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Mombasa?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Mombasa, 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 Mombasa?
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 Mombasa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Mombasa. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Mombasa. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mombasa. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mombasa receives 216 hours of full sun.
In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Mombasa. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Mombasa fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Mombasa 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Mombasa in the Autumn?
Both Mombasa 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 Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Mombasa. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mombasa during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Mombasa receives 291 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Mombasa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Mombasa fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Mombasa 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Mombasa in the Winter?
Both Mombasa 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 Mombasa year-round.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Mombasa. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Mombasa. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mombasa receives 283 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Mombasa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Mombasa averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Mombasa 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Mombasa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Mombasa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa 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 Mombasa. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Mombasa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Mombasa during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Mombasa receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Mombasa. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Mombasa fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Mombasa 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Mombasa and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Mombasa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.