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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Oranjestad?

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 Oranjestad 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 Oranjestad?

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.


Which place is cheaper, Oranjestad or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Oranjestad is $431. 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 Oranjestad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $26
    Oranjestad $241
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $52
    Oranjestad $482
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Oranjestad

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Oranjestad? 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 Oranjestad


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 Oranjestad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Oranjestad $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Airport /Hotel Transfers in Zanzibar : $25
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals: $20
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport/port Transfer : $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
  • Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $250
  • Discover Jozani Forest & Rock Restaurant W/ Transfer – Zanzibar: $50
  • Explore Jozani Forest & Rock Restaurant with Transfer – Zanzibar: $50
  • Guided Tour of Stone Town's Historic Sites + Transfer – Zanzibar: $20
  • Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
  • Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $120

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oranjestad

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Oranjestad:


  • Round-trip Bus Ticket
    $2.84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oranjestad

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oranjestad:

  • Aruba (AUA) : Airport Private Transfer to Aruba City: $38
  • Aruba Oranjestad Queen Airport (AUA): Transfer to island: $131
  • Aruba: Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $22
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer from Aruba Airport to Hotel: $68
  • Reina Beatrix Airport: Round-Trip Shared Transfer: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Oranjestad?

Prices for flights to both Oranjestad 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 $30
    Oranjestad $139

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 Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
  • 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
  • Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oranjestad

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

  • Aruba: Sip and Savor Local Food Tour: $95
  • Oranjesta: Sunset Cruise to Boca Catalina with BBQ Dinner: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Oranjestad $116

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Zanzibar Organic Spice Farm Tour: $13
  • Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour,history without transport: $14
  • Spice Tour Zanzibar : $15
  • Zanzibar stonetown walking tour with local guide: $18
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
  • City tours zanzibar : $20
  • Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Green Tour Park Experience: $20
  • Stone Town Historical & Cultural Walking Adventure – Zanzibar: $20
  • Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $24
  • Stone Town Tour, Historical & Cultural Landmarks in - Zanzibar: $24

Typical Entertainment Prices in Oranjestad

Here are a few typical costs in Oranjestad for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Full Day Bike Rental
    $32
  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $89
  • Golf
    $159
  • Kayak & Snorkeling Tour
    $126

Tours and Activities in Oranjestad

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

  • Aruba: Guided Countryside Exploration Tour: $45
  • 3-Hour Aruba Highlights Guided Tour: $49
  • Half-Day Aruba Island Tour with Top Attractions: $55
  • Meet the Animals of Aruba Tour: $57
  • Aruba: Beach Hopping Snorkeling Tour: $57
  • Aruba Arikok National Park Hiking Tour: $57
  • Discover the Island of Aruba: 4-Hour Bus Tour & Snorkel: $59
  • Full-Day Aruba History and Landmarks Tour: $69
  • Aruba Downtown Historic And Cultural Walking Tour: $75
  • Latin/Caribbean Party Bus Night Tour & Karaoke: $85
  • Aruba: Natural Pool, Caves & Baby Beach Jeep Adventure: $89
  • Aruba: Northcoast UTV Afternoon Adventure: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.20
    Oranjestad $40


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Oranjestad?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Oranjestad. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Oranjestad, 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.