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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Ouarzazate?

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 Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate?

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.

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Zanzibar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $49, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $44. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $23
    Ouarzazate $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $46
    Ouarzazate $44
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Ouarzazate? 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 Ouarzazate


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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Ouarzazate $3.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Airport /Hotel Transfers in Zanzibar : $25
  • Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
  • Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
  • Airport Transfer to Beach Hotel: $65
  • Airport and Hotels Transfers: $20
  • Airport to Hotel Transfer Service: $55
  • Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer: $30
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.45
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach Zanzibar: $40
  • Bus Transfer service from airport to anywhere in Zanzibar: $39

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $43
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $20
  • Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $319
  • Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $166

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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 $16
    Ouarzazate $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Lesson | Half day: $45
  • Experience Night Local Food Tour at Stone Town: $60
  • Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
  • Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
  • Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
  • Spice farm tour with local foods cooking class: $69
  • Local Swahili cooking Classes with Spice Tours: $70
  • Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Class and Lunch: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $73
  • Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:


  • Dinner for Two
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

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

  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $45
  • Oases Fint Tour With Dinner: $67
  • Zagora 2 Days Sahara Desert Tour with Dinner and Desert Camp: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Ouarzazate $11

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Private Guided Spice Tour of Zanzibar : $12
  • Africa's Paradise Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
  • Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
  • Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
  • Sunset party cruise in Zanzibar with BoomBoom Boat: $20
  • Private Guided Historical Stonetown Walking Tour: $20
  • Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
  • Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: $20
  • Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour without transport: $20
  • Private Electric Pedicabs Tour in Zanzibar: $23

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

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

  • Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $22
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $22
  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $56
  • Marrakech: 2-Day Zagora Desert and Atlas Mountains Tour: $66
  • Marrakech:2-Day group tour to Zagora Desert&Atlas Mountains: $69
  • Marrakech to Merzouga: 3-Day Desert Camp Adventure: $91
  • 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $100
  • from Marrakech: 3-day tour to Merzouga and the Sahara Desert: $104
  • From Marrakech : Merzouga 3 day desert tour with camel ride: $106
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $112
  • Private tour Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate. Lunch included.: $122

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.50
    Ouarzazate -

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


When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Ouarzazate, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Ouarzazate?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Ouarzazate, 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.