Should you visit Zanzibar or Rhodes?
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 Rhodes 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 Rhodes?
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.
Rhodes
Rhodes Island is one of the largest and most visited islands in Greece both because of its diversity of sights and its wonderful climate. On the island are some beautiful beaches, well preserved historic sights, and lovely towns. Rhodes City is the capital city on the island of Rhodes and is famous as the former site of the Colossus. Colossus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Today Rhodes City has an interesting old town that is surrounded by the medieval wall. Inside you'll find countless souvenir shops and restaurants that cater to tourists. Cruise ships also frequent the island, so it's best visited during the off season when the crowds may be slightly less. You will also find that prices drop when the crowds are thinner and the cruise ships are scarce.
Which place is cheaper, Rhodes or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $53, while the average daily cost in Rhodes is $144. 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 Rhodes in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Rhodes? 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
Rhodes Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
-
AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone:
$47
-
Airport /Hotel Transfers:
$20
-
Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar:
$30
-
Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals:
$20
-
Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures:
$55
-
Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar:
$55
-
Airport and Hotel Transfers:
$60
-
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:
$35
-
Airport/port Transfer :
$70
Typical Local Transportation prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rhodes:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rhodes
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rhodes:
-
Rhodes Airport Transfer to Rhodes Town city or Faliraki (ONE WAY:
$55
-
Airport Transfer - From/To Airport - From/To Rhodes:
$53
-
Butterfly Valley and Seven Springs Valley Self-guided Transfer:
$32
-
Diagoras Airport: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Rhodes:
$33
-
East Coast Bay to Bay Full-Day Boat Trip with Transfers:
$61
-
From Rhodes To Lindos ! Private one way transfer :
$233
-
From Lindos Round-Trip Bus Transfer with Free Time:
$29
-
Lindos Day Cruise from Rhodes Town with Swimming stops and Hotel Transfers:
$44
-
Lindos Village Bus Transfer:
$22
-
Lindos Village and Seven Springs Transfer:
$28
-
One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Faliraki:
$33
-
One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Ialyssos - Ixia:
$23
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Rhodes?
Prices for flights to both Rhodes 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
Rhodes $50
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
-
Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson:
$35
-
Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar:
$40
-
Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class:
$49
-
Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson:
$50
-
Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar:
$52
-
Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson:
$55
-
Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour :
$59
-
Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour:
$59
-
Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class:
$60
-
Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar:
$60
-
Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class:
$60
Typical Food prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rhodes:
-
Coffee
$2.08
-
Dinner for Two
$25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rhodes
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rhodes.
-
All Inclusive Sunset Cruise with Dinner & Unlimited Aperol Spritz, Beer, Wine:
$61
-
3-Hours Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner all Inclusive:
$61
-
Food & Wine Tour: 11-Course Lunch, Wine Tasting & Cooking Class:
$72
-
Rhodes Wine & Food Tour: 10 Meal Course Lunch, Wine Tasting, Cooking Class :
$72
-
Rhodes by Night With Dinner - Laterna:
$73
-
Food & Wine Tour: 11- Course Lunch, Cooking Class, Wine Tasting:
$76
-
Traditional Greek COOKING class and Wine Tasting in Rhodes:
$88
-
Winery Tour, Tasting and cooking with the Winemaker in Rhodes:
$88
-
Tasting Cooking Class, Wine Tasting & more in an Authentic Greek village:
$105
-
Rhodes Town Night Tour with Dinner and Cruise:
$109
-
Cooking Lesson and Wine Tasting with Lunch:
$125
-
Private Half-Day Food Tour in the Rhode's Medieval Town:
$211
Entertainment
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:
$10
-
Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services :
$15
-
Easy Stone Town Tour:
$20
-
Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour:
$20
-
Stone Town tour:
$20
-
3 Hour Community Walking Tour:
$20
-
Stone Town Historical Walking Tour:
$20
-
Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar:
$22
-
Stone town tour Zanzibar:
$24
-
Stone Town Tour without transport:
$24
-
2h-3h - Stone Town Tour:
$25
-
Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour:
$25
Tours and Activities in Rhodes
Here are a few actual costs in Rhodes for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Palace of the Grand Master Admission Ticket:
$5.99
-
Rhodes Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$6.00
-
Escape Game and Tour:
$7.07
-
Rhodes Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Treasure Hunt & Tour:
$7.07
-
Entrance Ticket for Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes:
$7.20
-
Acropolis of Lindos: 3D Representations & Audio Self-Guided Tour w/ AR:
$7.75
-
Ancient Lindos Acropolis Regular Admission Ticket:
$9.97
-
Rhodes Town: 45’ Semi-Submarine Cruise with Drinks Included:
$11
-
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt and Tour of Rhodes Old Town:
$11
-
Palace of the Grand Master Ticket and Audio Guide:
$13
-
The Palace of the Grand Master. Self-guided Audio Tour:
$13
-
The Palace of the Grand Master E-Ticket with Audio Tour:
$13
Alcohol
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Rhodes
Also in Rhodes, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Private Wine Tasting Experience for Beginners:
$38
-
Private Wine Tasting Under the Guidance of a Sommelier in Rhodes:
$39
-
Rhodes:Guided Island Tour with Wine tasting experience:
$49
-
1 Day Rhodes Island Tour with Olive Oil, Honey and Wine Tasting :
$55
-
Rhodes Island Tour: Lindos, Old Town, Pottery Workshop, Wine Tasting :
$61
-
Wine tasting in Rhodes, inside the vineyards with the Producer:
$61
-
Full Day Guided Rhodes Island Cultural & Wine Tour:
$61
-
Full-Day Сomprehensive Tour of Rhodes including Wine Tasting :
$61
-
Rhodes Shore Excursion Including Olive Oil, Honey & Wine Tasting:
$63
-
Private Wine Tasting Experience for Wine Lovers:
$65
-
Full-Day Rhodes Island Tour with Wine Tasting Experience:
$74
-
Rhodes Wine Tasting Experience:
$88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Rhodes, we can see that Rhodes 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 Rhodes 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 Rhodes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rhodes than you might in Zanzibar.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Rhodes?
Rhodes is bigger, and its population is about 44% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the population of Zanzibar vs. Rhodes, 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 and the activities that interest you.
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