Which place is cheaper, Pretoria or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zanzibar or Pretoria?
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 Pretoria 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 Pretoria?
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.
Pretoria
Located in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa, making it home to many government buildings and three universities. It is actually one of three capital cities, being home to the executive branch, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Within South Africa, Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" due to the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets, parks, and gardens.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa.
-
Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesPretoria Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Pretoria $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Pretoria is $68. 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 Pretoria in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Pretoria $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Pretoria $56
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Pretoria
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Pretoria? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Pretoria $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kendwa: $65
- Zanzibar transfers and Taxi: $35
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Private Transfer – From Airport to Any Hotel: $50
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
- Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $88
- Zanzibar Private Hotel-to-Hotel Transfer – 24/7 Service: $80
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Michamvi Beach to the Airport: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria
Also for Pretoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers and Private Tours: $44
- Airport transfers,door to door shuttle: $53
- Pretoria to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
- Private Oneway Transfer from Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport: $35
- Sun City Private Transfer: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Pretoria?
Prices for flights to both Pretoria 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 dayZanzibar $28Pretoria $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $99
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $125
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $113
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $136
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Pretoria $16
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $19
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $68
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
- A Full Day Stone Town and Spice Farm Private Tour: $100
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
Tours and Activities in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harties Cableway Experience Ticket: $19
- Soweto walking tour with a taxi ride: $40
- Soweto Township Tour: $44
- History Bicycle Tour of Soweto: $45
- Soweto Food and Beer Bike Tour: $47
- Soweto Quad Bike and Tuk Tuk Tours: $49
- Johannesburg & Soweto Full day Tour - With Pickup & Drop Off: $60
- Pretoria Tour-Voortrekker Monument, Town, Union Buildings: $64
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve half-day tour from Pretoria, every TUESDAY: $65
- Soweto and Johannesburg Tour: $70
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg from Pretoria, every FRIDAY afternoon: $73
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg, every FRIDAY afternoon: $73
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Pretoria $35
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Pretoria, we can see that Pretoria 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 Pretoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Pretoria?
Pretoria has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Pretoria, 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.
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.