Which place is cheaper, Nassau or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Nassau?
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 Nassau 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 Nassau?
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.
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Nassau $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Nassau is $189. 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 Nassau in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Nassau $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Nassau $218
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Nassau
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Nassau? 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 Nassau Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Nassau $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar transfer and taxi services: $15
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Standard Van: $17
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer ( Tax) To Stone Town: $19
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $21
- Zanzibar Airport transfers and Taxi services: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- (Private) Nassau Bahamas Airport Round-Trip Transfers (1-4ppl One Flat Rate): $160
- Airport Transfer: $190
- Airport Transfers : $58
- Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
- Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
- Group transfer: $68
- Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
- Luxury MKT Town Car Private Roundtrip Transfer : $140
- Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $252
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Nassau?
Prices for flights to both Nassau 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 $17Nassau $53
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Nassau $37
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 Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town 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 Tours & Taxi Services : $25
- Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- All New Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack Portuguese & Spanish : $7.00
- KINDWalk — Nassau Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
- Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
- Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
- Banana Boat Adventure in Nassau: $50
- Banana Boat Adventure: $50
- Private Historic Landmarks Walking Tour: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Nassau $19
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 Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Nassau, we can see that Nassau 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 Nassau is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Nassau?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Nassau. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Nassau, 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 Nassau?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Nassau in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Nassau. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Nassau receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Nassau. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Nassau during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Nassau receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Zanzibar is cooler than Nassau. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Nassau averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Nassau 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Nassau in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Nassau. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Nassau. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Nassau. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Nassau. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nassau receives 223 hours of full sun.
In October, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Nassau. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Nassau fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Nassau 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Nassau in the Winter?
Both Nassau and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Nassau. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Nassau. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nassau during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Nassau receives 220 hours of full sun in the winter.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Nassau in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Nassau fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Nassau 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Nassau in the Spring?
Both Nassau and Zanzibar during the spring 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 Nassau year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Nassau. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Nassau. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nassau receives 276 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Nassau. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Nassau averages at about 23°C (74°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Nassau 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Nassau and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Nassau | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.