Which place is cheaper, Rhodes 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 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.
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 Greece, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Greece.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesRhodes Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Rhodes $197
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Rhodes is $197. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Rhodes $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Rhodes $134
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Rhodes
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Rhodes $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) Private Transfer to Zanzibar: $62
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Private Airport Transfer from AAK Airport to Hotels: $40
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Private Airport transfers to any hotel in Zanzibar (Arrivals): $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rhodes:
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Taxi Ride$8.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rhodes
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rhodes:
- Airport Transfer - From/To Airport - From/To Rhodes: $56
- Cruise to Symi Island & St George’s Bay with Hotel Transfers: $69
- Diagoras Airport: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Rhodes: $47
- From North Round-Trip Lindos Transfer from Hotels: $23
- From Boat Trip to Symi Island with Hotel Transfer: $74
- From Easy Morning Transfer to Lindos & 4 Hours Free Time: $32
- From Lindos Round-Trip Bus Transfer with Free Time: $26
- Lindos Day Cruise from Rhodes Town with Swimming stops and Hotel Transfers: $59
- One Way Private Airport Transfers Rhodes Island: $70
- One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Faliraki: $44
- One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Lindos: $83
- Private One Way Transfer from Rhodes Airport To Rhodes: $59
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
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $28Rhodes $95
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
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
- Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150
Typical Food Prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rhodes:
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Coffee$2.27
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Dinner for Two$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rhodes
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rhodes.
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks: $63
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner, Drinks & Swim: $70
- Rhodes Wine & Food Tour: 10 Meal Course Lunch, Wine Tasting, Cooking Class: $73
- Sunset Cruise with Open Bar, Dinner, & Live Music: $74
- 11 Course Lunch with Cooking Mastery and Wine Tasting in Rhodes: $82
- Cooking Class and Wine Tasting Experience: $82
- 3-Hours Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner all Inclusive: $82
- Grand Tasting: 11-Course Lunch, Wine Pairing, Cooking Mastery: $85
- Food & Wine Tour: 11- Course Lunch, Cooking Class, Wine Tasting: $89
- Winery Tour, Tasting and cooking with the Winemaker in Rhodes: $94
- Authentic Greek Cooking Experience: Taste the Roots of Rhodes: $112
- Cooking Lesson and Wine Tasting with Lunch: $135
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Rhodes $22
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- City tours zanzibar: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $20
Tours and Activities in Rhodes
Here are a few actual costs in Rhodes for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lindos Acropolis Self-Guided Tour with 3D & Audio (No Ticket): $8.21
- Rhodes Old Town Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
- The Palace of the Grand Master Self-guided Audio Tour: $14
- Throne of Helios: The History of Rhodes 9D Experience: $15
- Rhodes Town: Submarine Cruise with Underwater Views: $16
- Rhodes Town: Yellow Submarine Cruise with Underwater Views: $16
- Lindos Bus Tour with Free Time to Explore: $19
- Faliraki full family day tour: $21
- Rhodes:1-hour Sightseeing Day Cruise on an 18th-Century Boat: $23
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $23
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour Bus: $23
- Yellow Submarine Cruise with Underwater Views: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Rhodes $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Rhodes
Also in Rhodes, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Rhodes Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour: Free Shots & Club Entry: $21
- Private Wine Tasting Experience for Beginners: $41
- Rhodian Wines - Private Wine Tasting Under a Sommelier: $57
- Private Wine Tasting Experience for Wine Lovers: $70
- Gourmet Journey: 12-Course Lunch, Wine Tasting & Culinary Session: $75
- Rhodes Wine Tasting Experience: $94
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $106
- Rhodes Deluxe Tour including Lindos, Old Town, Wine Tasting: $135
- Private Greek Food & Wine Tasting Experience in Rhodes Town: $528
- Guided Walk and Wine Tasting Tour in Medieval Town: $551
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Rhodes Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Rhodes?
Rhodes has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and 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 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.