A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Nadi (Port Denarau) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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 Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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.

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Zanzibar Prices
    Tanzania Prices
    Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Zanzibar $66
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $198

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $26
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $52
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $212
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau)


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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Prison Island Half Day Journey With Transfers - Zanzibar: $14
  • Prison Island Excursion Half-Day Tour with Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
  • Prison Island Experience Half Day Trip With Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
  • Prison Island Adventure Half Day Tour With Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
  • Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $17
  • Prison Island Experience Half Day Tour With Transfer - Zanzibar: $18
  • Zanzibar Airport/Hotels transfer best price: $19
  • Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals: $20
  • Guided Tour of Stone Town's Historic Sites + Transfer – Zanzibar: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels : $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour with Transfers – Zanzibar: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Shared Shuttle Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport/ Port to Hotel: $9.15
  • Arrival Shared Transfer : Airport to Hotel: $35
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to All Denarau Hotels: $14
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort: $34
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Port Denarau Marina: $15
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Shangri-La Fijian Resort: $37
  • CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Fiji Marriott Resort, to Nadi Airport: $30
  • CFC APPROVED Private Roundtrip Transfer -Nadi Airport to All Maui Bay Properties: $71
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Doubletree Resort : $23
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Fiji Marriott Resort: $27
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Maui Bay Properties: $44
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Outrigger & Bedarra Inn: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 day
    Zanzibar $30
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $69

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 Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
  • 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
  • Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Zanzibar Organic Spice Farm Tour: $13
  • Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour,history without transport: $14
  • Spice Tour Zanzibar : $15
  • Zanzibar stonetown walking tour with local guide: $18
  • Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Green Tour Park Experience: $20
  • Stone Town Historical & Cultural Walking Adventure – Zanzibar: $20
  • Stone Town Tour, Historical & Cultural Landmarks in - Zanzibar: $24
  • Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $24
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • Nadi Sightseeing Including Viseisei Lookout, Village Tour, Garden & Temple Tour: $70
  • Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool Tour: $73
  • Shore Excursion-Wonders of Nadi Sightseeing Tour-Temple,Gardens,Markets&Shopping: $77
  • Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
  • Cultural Night Tour: $80
  • Nadi Heritage Tour : $82
  • Nadi Therapeutic Mud Pools and Garden Tour - Shore Excursions EX PORT DENARAU: $82
  • Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
  • Fiji Lautoka Shore Excursions Tour : $92
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour : $99
  • Nadi Sightseeing & Mud Pool Tour - Ex Fiji Marriott, Momi Bay: $100
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.20
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific, 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.