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 $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Moshi is $83. 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 ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
- Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Bwejuu Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Jambiani Beach: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $50
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: $82
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi: $49
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
- Moshi to Arusha or Arusha to Moshi Transfer (Intercity transfer): $93
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $30
- Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Moshi or Arusha: $55
- 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.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
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
- Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
- Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $79
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $109
- Spice Picking with Zanzibar Cooking Class: $193
- 3 Days Chaga Culture: Cooking, NGO Projects, Banana Beer, Hiking: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Moshi $18
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- 8 Days Zanzibar Discovery Adventure: $220
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
- A Half Day Private Tour to Spice Farm: $80
- A Private Full Day Tour To Stone Town & Spice Farm: $90
- A Stone Town Private Tour Experience in Zanzibar: $35
- Baraka Aquarium and Dolphin Sightseeing with Sunset Cruise: $115
- Baraka Aquarium; Jozani Forest Tour; Kuza Cave; Paje Beach; The Rock Restaurant: $150
- Baraka Aquarium; The Island Pongwe; Spice Tour; The Secret Garden; The Rock: $130
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Moshi sunset experience: $12
- Roast coffee and tour a chagga owned coffee farm: $25
- Materuni Waterfalls Hiking & Coffee Farms - Tuk Tuk Experiences: $30
- Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour: $30
- Private guided tour to the night lifestyle of Moshi town: $30
- City tour and local food: $30
- Materuni Waterfall, Coffee & Chagga Culture Tour from Moshi: $35
- Materuni Waterfall & Chemka Hot Springs Day Tour: $35
- Visit Materuni Waterfall with Chimbo (origin) Point & Coffee Tour: $35
- Moshi City Tour: Explore Local Markets, Culture & Hidden Gems: $36
- Moshi - Arusha: Materuni Waterfalls Hike and Organic Coffee Tour: $40
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Moshi $3.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
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.