Which place is cheaper, Paris 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 Paris?
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 Paris 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 Paris?
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.
Paris
Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesParis Prices
France Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Paris $302
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Paris is $302. 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 Paris in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Paris $174
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Paris $348
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Paris
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Paris? 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 Paris Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Paris $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Transfer in Mercedes-Benz: $300
- Zanzibar Must-see Sights with Lunch and Transfers: $249
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Transfer in Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: $220
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Zanzibar Golf Adventure in Paradise with Hotel Transfer: $148
- Safari Blue Zanzibar - Seafood Lunch, Sandbank & Hotel Transfer: $145
- Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $121
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $95
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kizimkazi: $95
- Private Transfer from Kizimkazi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $95
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:
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Metro$7.29
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Train from Airport$10
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Metro tickets$7.74
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Train$23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris
Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame, and Louvre Museum transfer included: $109
- 2-Way Transfer to Disneyland from Paris: $168
- Airport Paris Charles de Gaulle CDG private transfer to hotels.: $110
- Airport Transfer Charles De Gaulle or Orly to and from Paris: $54
- Airport Transfer Paris - Disneyland - Minivan 1-8 Passengers: $137
- Airport Transfer: Paris City to Paris Airport CDG by Business Car: $102
- Airport Transfers from and to Paris and Beauvais Tille Airport: $275
- Airport transfer CDG - Paris | Driver Professional: $205
- Airport transfer of Charles de Gaulle or Orly to or from Disney: $60
- Arrival Private Transfer Paris Airport CDG to Paris by Sedan: $105
- Arrival Transfer from Paris Airport CDG to Paris in Private Car: $105
- Arrival Transfer from Paris Airport CDG to Paris in Private Van: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Paris?
Prices for flights to both Paris 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 $28Paris $82
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
- Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class and Spice Farm: $59
- Spice Farm Zanzibar Cooking Class Authentic Cultural Experience: $65
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Cooking Class Tour: $75
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
- Zanzibar Spice and Night Market Cooking and Street Food Tour: $80
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $97
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- half day tours spice Farm with Cooking Class: $130
Typical Food Prices in Paris
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:
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Ice Cream$9.11
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Breakfast$7.97
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Breakfast for 2$34
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Dinner on River Cruise$98
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Dinner$65
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Cheese$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris
For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $65
- Paris Seine River dinner cruise from Alexandre III bridge: $68
- Paris Food Tour: 10+ Tastings, French Wine, Cheeses & Secret Dish: $73
- Seine River Cruise and Dinner at Traditional Parisian Restaurant: $73
- Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris: $74
- Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $74
- Paris Food Tour: $79
- Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien: $82
- Paris Bakery Food Tour Chocolate Macarons and 10 Sweet Tastings: $84
- Sightseeing 3 course Dinner Cruise on Seine River from Paris: $85
- Paris Le Marais Food Tour – Full French Meal by Do Eat Better: $87
- Montmartre Food Tour - Chocolate, Crepes, Pastries and More!: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Paris $87
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 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $26
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Full Day Safari Blue Tour And Blue Lagoon: $140
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- 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
- A Private Full Day Tour To Stone Town & Spice Farm: $90
- Authentic Stone Town Walking Tour With The Local Zanzibar Cuisine: $67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris
For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Louvre Entry for Two$20
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Admission to Pantheon$5.69
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Catacombs (2)$26
Tours and Activities in Paris
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.
- Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $1.19
- Self-Guided Tours in Paris with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.42
- Paris Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
- Paris Hidden Gems: Self Guided Secret Spots Tour: $3.42
- Paris Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
- Paris City Center Free Walking Tour (Tip-Based): $3.42
- Paris Le Marais Self Guided Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.44
- Paris Notre-Dame Tour with Scheduled Group Access: $3.44
- Rude Bastards Tour of Paris: $4.57
- Paris Montmartre Free Walking Tour in English: $4.58
- Paris Time Machine: Hidden Gems Walking Tour (Tips-Based): $4.58
- Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie Walking Tour: $4.97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.76Paris $28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:
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Wine$16
Sample the Local Flavors in Paris
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:
- Paris Pub Crawl : Bars with Club Entry and Shots: $17
- The Original Pub Crawl + Free Shots + VIP Club Entry: $22
- Paris City Center Guided Pub Crawl With Shots & Club Entry: $29
- Paris Montmartre Cheese Charcuterie Wine Tasting with Audio Tour: $29
- Paris International Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Fun Games: $29
- Paris Guided Pub Crawl with Bars Shots and Club Entry: $31
- Visit and tasting at the distillery L'Alambic Parisien: $32
- A burlesque cabaret in an old brothel: $42
- Vegan Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise: $52
- Wine tasting Paris Saint Germain des Pres: $54
- Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex: $68
- Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with a Local Cheesemonger: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Paris, we can see that Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Paris?
Paris has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Paris, 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 Paris?
Paris 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 Paris in the Summer?
Both Paris and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Paris in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Paris. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Paris averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In Paris, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Paris. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Paris. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Paris 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Paris in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Paris. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, most visitors come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Paris fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Paris during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Paris. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Paris 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Paris in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Paris. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Paris because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Paris can be very cold. Zanzibar is much warmer than Paris in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Paris. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Paris. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Paris 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Paris in the Spring?
Both Paris and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paris this time of year.
In the spring, Zanzibar is much warmer than Paris. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Paris averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Paris during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Paris. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Paris 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Paris and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Paris | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
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.