Which place is cheaper, Moshi 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 Moshi?
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 Moshi 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 Moshi?
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.
Moshi
Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Photography Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Camping Tours in Tanzania.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesMoshi Prices
Tanzania Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Moshi $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Moshi is $84. 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 Moshi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Moshi $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Moshi $72
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Moshi
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Moshi? 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 Moshi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Moshi $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kendwa: $65
- Zanzibar VIP Transfer in Range Rover Sport: $300
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Sea Fishing Boat Tour experience with Transfer: $85
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Private Transfer – From Airport to Any Hotel: $50
- Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $88
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $54
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $50
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi: $49
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $30
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Moshi or Arusha: $50
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Tanzania Private Airport Transfer: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Moshi?
Prices for flights to both Moshi 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 $28Moshi $34
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
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
- Authentic Chagga Cooking Class: Farm-to-Table Experience in Moshi: $50
- Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $109
- Spice Picking with Zanzibar Cooking Class: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Moshi $19
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
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
- A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
- 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
- A Half Day Private Tour to Spice Farm: $80
- A Half Day Quad Bike Village Tour: $130
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour: $30
- Moshi - Arusha: Materuni Waterfalls Hike and Organic Coffee Tour: $40
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- Marangu & Chagga - Cultural Day Tour form Moshi: $59
- Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59
- Day trip to materuni waterfalls and coffee tour from Moshi: $60
- Kilimanjaro Cultural Tour: Chagga, Songs, Cuisine & Community: $65
- Discover the Serenity of Rau Forest on a Half-Day Bike Tour: $65
- Kibosho Village Day Tour Experience from Moshi: $67
- Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour: $70
- Explore Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee 1 Day Tour: $70
- Moshi Bike Tours: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Moshi $3.37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Moshi, we can see that Moshi 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 Moshi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moshi 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 Moshi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Moshi?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Moshi, 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.
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.