Which place is cheaper, Port Elizabeth or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Port Elizabeth?
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 Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth?
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.
Port Elizabeth
Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, and The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $49Port Elizabeth $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $49, while the average daily cost in Port Elizabeth is $49. 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 Port Elizabeth in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $23Port Elizabeth $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $46Port Elizabeth $52
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Port Elizabeth
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Port Elizabeth? 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 Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Port Elizabeth $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.45
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Arrival Transfer: $11
- Zanzibar Private Airport Arrival Transfers: $11
- Private Departure Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport: $11
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfers to the Airport: $11
- Paje and Jambiani Transfers from Stone Town: $15
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to/frm Stone Town Hotels.: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Port Elizabeth?
Prices for flights to both Port Elizabeth 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 $16Port Elizabeth $15
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $12Port Elizabeth $10
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 Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $20
- Sunset party cruise in Zanzibar with BoomBoom Boat: $20
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour without transport: $20
- Private Guided Historical Stonetown Walking Tour: $20
- Private Electric Pedicabs Tour in Zanzibar: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.50Port Elizabeth $2.84
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 Port Elizabeth, 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 Port Elizabeth Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Port Elizabeth, 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 Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Port Elizabeth. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Port Elizabethin January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port Elizabeth this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Port Elizabeth during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Port Elizabeth receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Port Elizabethin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Port Elizabeth 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Port Elizabeth in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Port Elizabeth. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Port Elizabeth in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port Elizabeth. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Port Elizabethin April. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port Elizabeth receives 221 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Port Elizabethin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Port Elizabeth 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Port Elizabeth in the Winter?
Both Port Elizabeth and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Port Elizabeth. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Port Elizabeth averages at about 15°C (58°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Port Elizabeth. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Port Elizabeth during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Port Elizabeth receives 228 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Port Elizabethin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Port Elizabeth 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Port Elizabeth in the Spring?
Both Port Elizabeth 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.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Port Elizabethin October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Port Elizabeth, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Port Elizabethin October. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port Elizabeth receives 236 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Port Elizabethin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Port Elizabeth 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Port Elizabeth and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Port Elizabeth | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 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.