Which place is cheaper, Naples or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zanzibar or Naples?
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 Naples 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 Naples?
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.
Naples
Naples is the most populous city in southern Italy. The city sits against the Bay of Naples, and is in close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, which is most famous for its eruption in 79 AD which destroyed the communities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Naples has a wonderfully sunny, Mediterranean climate, some great beaches, and beautiful architecture. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because city officials have established strict building codes there is almost no condo style development along the coast. This helps Naples to maintain its authentic and historic atmosphere.
Many people love Naples for its history and authenticity, while others complain that it is noisy, crowded, and dirty. You can visibly see that the poverty in Southern Italy is higher than in the northern part of the country. Traffic is also chaotic, but what some travelers consider flaws, others see as benefits. Nobody can deny that Naples is truly an authentic Italian city. It has some of the country's best food and wine, the weather is ideal, and the prices are far cheaper than the northern regions. It has a large number of attractions in the form of museums and galleries, and there are some of the world's best ruins in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Naples $138
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Naples is $138. 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 Naples in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Naples $70
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Naples $140
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Naples
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Naples? 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 Naples Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Naples $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
- Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
- Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport Transfer to Beach Hotel: $65
- Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
- Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
- Airport/port Transfer : $70
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Naples
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Naples:
-
Subway Ticket$1.29
-
Alibus From Airport$3.21
-
Short Taxi Ride$7.86
-
Train to Pompeii$3.43
-
Taxi$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Naples
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Naples:
- Private Transfer | From Naples to Positano stopping at Pompeii: $192
- Amalfi Coast Private Transfer Service from/to Naples: $225
- Amalfi Coast: Transfer to/from Airport/Station/Porto: $269
- Arrival Private Transfers : Naples Airport NAP to Naples City in Business Car: $104
- Arrival Private Transfers : Naples Airport NAP to Naples City in Luxury Van: $113
- Capri Island: All Inclusive private transfer from Naples : $263
- Deluxe private transfer NAPLES Train Station to SORRENTO or vv: $103
- Deluxe private transfer from NAPLES TO POSITANO or vv : $170
- Direct Transfer from Naples to Pompeii (or viceversa): $83
- From private and luxury transfer to POSITANO: $110
- From Naples Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Amalfi Coast: $139
- From Naples Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Naples: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Naples?
Prices for flights to both Naples 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 $17Naples $43
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
Typical Food Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Naples:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$30
-
Three Course Dinner (for Two)$52
-
Napoli Pizza$7.76
-
Dinner$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Naples
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Naples.
- Napoli: Traditional Tiramisu Cooking Class with Limoncello: $37
- Naples Street Food Tour with Foodie Guide around Historical Center: $42
- Tasty Naples Street Food Tour of MustEat Gourmet Specialties and MustSee Sites: $46
- Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert: $46
- Enjoy an Authentic Pizza-Making Workshop with Drinks: $46
- Authentic Pizza Class with Drinks Included in the Center of Naples: $47
- Small Group Naples Pizza Making Class with Drink Included: $48
- Be my Guest at Dinner ! Taste and experience an authentic Neapolitan dinner !: $49
- Small Group Naples Pizza Making Class with Drink Included: $49
- No Diet Club - Unique Food Tour in Napoli: $53
- Food Tour with Davide: $54
- Virtual Cooking Class: become a Pizza PRO!: $55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Naples $32
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Naples
Here are a few typical costs in Naples for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Museo Archeologico Nazionale Entrance$9.64
-
Castelnuovo Museum Entrance$5.36
-
Entrance to Pompeii$12
Tours and Activities in Naples
Here are a few actual costs in Naples for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Monuments and Historic District Self-Guided Tour: $4.29
- Pompeii Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.29
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.38
- Napoli: Museodivino Entrance Ticket and Guided Tour: $6.46
- Napoli: Entrance Tickets to Sant'Anna dei Lombardi Complex: $6.46
- Naples from Ancient Greece to today: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
- Naples Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- San Lorenzo Maggiore and Neapolis Sotterrata Ticket: $9.69
- Città della Scienza Interactive Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Naples Skip-the-Line San Martino National Museum and Charterhouse Ticket: $11
- Castel Sant'Elmo Ticket and Pemcards: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Naples $23
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Naples:
-
Beer$4.39
-
Beer$4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Naples
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Naples:
- Napoli Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $15
- Guided Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $16
- Private WINE Tasting in Napoli with BOOKS: $44
- Mount Vesuvius: Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $52
- Regional food and wine tasting: $54
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Napoli: $64
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Naples City Center: $65
- Full-Day Bike Guided Tour in Napoli with Wine Tasting: $65
- Vesuvius Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch Included: $72
- Mount Vesuvius 4-Hour Volcano Tour with Wine Tasting: $80
- Naples Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $82
- Guided Wine Tour in Old Town Napoli: $92
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Naples, we can see that Naples 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 Naples is in Europe, 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples 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 Naples Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Naples?
Naples has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Naples, 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 Naples?
Naples has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Naples in the Summer?
Both Naples and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Naples because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Naples in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Naples. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Naples during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Naples. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Naples 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Naples in the Autumn?
Both Naples and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Naples this time of year.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Naples averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Naples. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.
Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Naples. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Naples 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Naples in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Naples. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Naples during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.
Naples receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Naples. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Naples 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Naples in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Naples. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the spring for the activities around the city.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Naples in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Naples. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Naples. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Naples 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Naples and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Naples | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.