A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. New Orleans for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $239. 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 New Orleans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    New Orleans $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and New Orleans

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans


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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    New Orleans $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • transfer from airport to Makunduchi Zanzibar: $44
  • Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
  • Zanzibar:Hotels & Airport Transfer Services: $50
  • Stone Town to Airport Private Transfer: $23
  • Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
  • Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • One-Way Airport Transfer to Your Hotel: $50
  • Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
  • Island Transfers: $50
  • Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109
  • Baraka Turtle Aquarium Tour with Hotel Transfers: $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans

Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans

Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 11 Passenger Executive Van: New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $197
  • 25 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $300
  • Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $215
  • Boss Be Luxury Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $121
  • Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Full-Day Oak Alley Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp w/Transfer: $155
  • Full-Day Whitney Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp Tour w/Transfer: $155
  • Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
  • NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
  • NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
  • New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer : $82
  • New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Round-Trip Transfer : $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or New Orleans?

Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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 $17
    New Orleans $45

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 New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
  • New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
  • Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
  • Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
  • Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
  • French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
  • The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
  • Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
  • Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
  • French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
  • New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
  • Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    New Orleans $55

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • 4 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
  • Spice Tour & Mangapwani Cave Tour: $80
  • Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $130
  • Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour : $47
  • 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
  • 2day Zanzibar adventure: Prison Island & Sandbank (all-incl): $538
  • 3 HOURS PRISON ISLAND TOUR IN ZANZIBAR: $60
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $30
  • 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $26

Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)
    $75
  • Riverboat Cruise
    $70
  • French Quarter City Tour
    $100

Tours and Activities in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
  • Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
  • Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
  • New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in New Orleans by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    New Orleans $60

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

Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:

  • Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
  • Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
  • Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
  • New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
  • Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
  • Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
  • New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
  • Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
  • Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
  • New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
  • True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans is in North America, 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as New Orleans. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In the summer, Zanzibar is cooler than New Orleans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and New Orleans averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    New Orleans 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Zanzibar or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    New Orleans 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Zanzibar or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and Zanzibar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Orleans in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Zanzibar is much warmer than New Orleans in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    New Orleans 51°F (11°C)

Should I visit Zanzibar or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to New Orleans for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Zanzibar is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    New Orleans 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Zanzibar

Zanzibar New Orleans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 51°F (11°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 54°F (12°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 62°F (16°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 68°F (20°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 75°F (24°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.9 inches (151 mm)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 82°F (28°C) 6.2 inches (157 mm)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (140 mm)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 61°F (16°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 55°F (13°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)