Which place is cheaper, New York City 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 New York City?
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 York City 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 York City?
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 York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
- Airport Transfer: $90
- Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach: $60
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Jambiani Beach: $60
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $60
- Zanzibar Private Airport Transfer to Paje Beach Hotels: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- Brooklyn Cruise Terminal One-Way Transfer to/from Manhattan: $155
- Central Park Private Walking Tour with Transfers: $171
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- EWR to Manhattan Private Luxury Transfer | Sedan, SUV & Van: $180
- Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
- J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Cape Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer: $44
- J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Cape Liberty Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $220
- JFK to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $28
- La Guardia Airport to Manhattan Private Transfer by Sedan SUV: $130
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Cape Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer: $44
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Cape Liberty Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $28New York City $87
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
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New York Union Square Sweetest Food Tour: Choose Your Own Donuts: $35
- The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $39
- Private Pizza Experience (5 tastings) in Manhattan: $45
- Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
- Central Park Cafe: Scenic Lunch & Dinner Experience in NYC: $50
- Chelsea Food Tour NYC Pizza Tacos and Chelsea Market Walk: $55
- Homemade Pizza Party in NYC: $63
- New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $68
- Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour: Local Eats & Iconic Views: $70
- East Village Food Tour: $70
- Astoria Queens Global Bites Food Tour (NYC): $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 Hours Private Stone Town City Tour: $50
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the World's Iconic Theatre District: $5.00
- New York: Central Park Walking Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- The Battery: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Bowling Green Park to Stone St: $5.00
- A New York Date Night Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- New York Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.03
- Central Park Stolen Archives: NY Exploration Game and Tour: $5.03
- New York Ghost Tour: Self-Guided Haunted Walk: $5.92
- New York Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $5.99
- New York Celebrity Chef Self Guided Tour and Exploration Game: $6.40
- New York West Village Audio Tour: $6.65
- Self Guided "Central Park Movie Tour" Solo Walking Tour in New York City: $6.75
- New York City Greenwich Village Haunted Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.95
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.70New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
- NYC Bar Crawl: Games, Live Music & Underground Nightlife: $28
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $34
- Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink: $49
- Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 York City 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 York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and New York City, 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 York City?
New York City 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 York City in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as New York City. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in New York City. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City 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 visitors come to New York City in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than New York City. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City 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, most visitors come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
New York City can be very cold during winter. Zanzibar is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Zanzibar or New York City in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to New York City because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Zanzibar is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than New York City. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
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.