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 $52, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $42. 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 $25
    Ouarzazate $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $50
    Ouarzazate $42
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 $3.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
  • Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
  • Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
  • Airport transfer to/from Nungwi, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, East coat and South: $60
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
  • Airport/port Transfer : $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.33
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach Zanzibar: $40

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $107
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $23
  • Ouarzazate Airport transfer: $22
  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $41
  • Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $307
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech to Dades Gorges: $187

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 $17
    Ouarzazate $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $44
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $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
  • Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
  • Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class : $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.

  • Oases Fint Tour With Dinner: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Ouarzazate $11

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
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar.: $23
  • Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
  • Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
  • Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
  • Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
  • Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25
  • The historic walking Tour - Stone Town Zanzibar : $25

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

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

  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $22
  • Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $22
  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $57
  • Marrakech day tour to Ouzoud falls: $73
  • From Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour to Merzouga: $96
  • 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $100
  • From Marrakech : Merzouga 3 day desert tour with camel ride: $102
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $109
  • From Marrakech: 3 Days Desert Tour To Erg Chebbi Merzouga: $115
  • Private tour Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate. Lunch included.: $118
  • 3 days group tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.91
    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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Ouarzazate, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in Ouarzazate.

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.