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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Nice?

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 Nice 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 Nice?

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.

Nice

Nice, in the French Riviera, is one of the most popular destinations in France. It's located on the southeast coast along the Mediterranean Sea and is the second largest French city on the Mediterranean. It is an energetic city that attracts all types of vacationers from every age group and demographic. It's the 5th largest city in the country and is the capital of the Alpes Maritimes departement. The metropolitan area has a population of about 1 million.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Nice 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 Nice is $141. 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 Nice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Nice $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Nice $126
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Nice

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Nice? 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 Nice


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 Nice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Nice $27

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:

  • Arrival Transfer from Côte d'Azur Airport NCE to Nice City in Private Car: $44
  • Arrival Transfer from Nice Airport NCE to Nice city by Sedan: $59
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Cannes in Luxury Van: $116
  • Cruise Port Hercule to Monaco hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Day Trip / transfer to and from aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur: $93
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $110
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $131
  • Departure Transfer: Nice to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $68
  • Departure Transfer: Villefranche Port to Nice Airport: $53
  • Ferry Transfer to Sainte Marguerite Island from Nice: $57
  • From Nice Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Monaco: $151
  • From Nice Airport: Private Transfer to Cannes: $129

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Nice?

Prices for flights to both Nice 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
    Nice $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

Typical Food Prices in Nice

Some typical examples of dining costs in Nice are as follows:


  • Slushee
    $2.68
  • Strawberries
    $4.29
  • Loaf of Bread
    $3.43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nice

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nice.

  • Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting: $84
  • Viator Exclusive: Organic French Dinner in the Garden of Nice: $95
  • Old Nice Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Viator Exclusive: Local Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice: $107
  • 3.5-Hour Original Old Town Food Tour: $108
  • Private French Cooking Class with a Fun Local Noel: $108
  • Half-Day Walking Food Tour in Nice with Lunch: $115
  • Half Day Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $147
  • Dinner in the vineyard French Riviera: $193
  • Dinner in the Vineyard French Riviera: $206

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Nice $13

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

Tours and Activities in Nice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nice are as follows:

  • Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
  • Vieux Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Ticket to Musée National du Sport: $6.46
  • Nice Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
  • Navigating A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Nice's Old Town Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
  • Nice city tour: audio guide app in your smartphone: $7.53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    Nice $18

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 Nice

Also in Nice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Nice Bar Crawl | Best Bars In 1 Night! VIP + FREE SHOTS: $6.03
  • Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entry and Free Shots: $16
  • Nice : International Party Pub / Bar Crawl Unlimited Ticket: $17
  • Pub Crawl Nice with Drinking Games and Optional Drink special: $22
  • Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $25
  • Nice Bar Crawl | Infamous International Party!: $27
  • Nice Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $45
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl with Shots and VIP Club Entry: $53
  • New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl Nice France: $54
  • Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice: $66
  • Half-Day Saint Paul de Vence and Wine Tasting Tour: $83
  • Half-Day Wine Tasting and Saint Paul de Vence Tour from Nice: $84


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Nice?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Nice, 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 Nice?

Nice 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 Nice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Nice. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Nice. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Nice. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Nice 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Nice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Nice. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Nice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Zanzibar is a little warmer than Nice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Nice. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Nice 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Nice in the Winter?

Both Nice and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Nice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Nice averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In January, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nice. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Nice 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Nice in the Spring?

Both Nice 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. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Nice. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Nice 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Nice and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Nice
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 16°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 10°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)