A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Roseau for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Roseau?

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 Roseau 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 Roseau?

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.


Which place is cheaper, Roseau or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Roseau is $242. 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 Roseau in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Roseau $135
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Roseau $270
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Roseau

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Roseau? 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Roseau


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 $11
    Roseau $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Zanzibar Transfer in Land Cruiser Prado: $220
  • Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
  • Zanzibar JetCar ride with drone video and transfer included: $168
  • Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
  • Zanzibar VIP Transfer in Mercedes-Benz: $120
  • Zanzibar Airport Pickup, Stone Town Tour and Nungwi Transfer: $115
  • Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $98
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $98
  • Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Jambiani: $89
  • Private Transfer from Jambiani to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Roseau?

Prices for flights to both Roseau 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 $28
    Roseau $90

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Roseau $42

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 Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
  • 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $25
  • 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
  • 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Roseau

For Roseau, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Half Day Taxi Tour of Island
    $100
  • 1/2 Day Kayak Rental
    $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Roseau $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Roseau, we can see that Roseau 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 Roseau is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Roseau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Roseau 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 Roseau Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Roseau?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Roseau. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Roseau, 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.