Which place is cheaper, Saint John's 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 Saint John's?
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 Saint John's 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 Saint John's?
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.
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Antigua and Barbuda, and The Best Adventure Tours to Antigua and Barbuda.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesSaint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Saint John's $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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 Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Saint John's? 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 Saint John's Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Saint John's $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- 24/7 Private Transfers across Zanzibar: $30
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa Transfer inclus: $68
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) Private Transfer to Zanzibar: $62
- AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer: $109
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Antigua Airport(ANU) to Antigua island Roundtrip Private Transfer: $93
- Antigua Private Airport Transfer (ANU) Round-Trip to All Resorts: $80
- Antigua Private Airport Transfer- South Side Hotels: $30
- Antigua Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $49
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Clear Boat & Offshore Islands Experience (with transfer): $89
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer - 8:15am): $89
- Discover the Best of Antigua Sightseeing Tour - Eagle Transfers: $125
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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 $28Saint John's $117
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Saint John's $103
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.12
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $19
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone town walking tour with Akash: $20
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour,history without transport: $22
- Zanzibar Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour: $24
- Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise in Nungwi and Kendwa: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Falmouth Ocean Club Dance Class Experience: $12
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience: $66
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $67
- Antigua National Parks Experience: $75
- Explore Antigua and Barbuda with local guide island tour: $80
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $88
- Secret Beach Escape in Antigua: Half-Day Experience: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $94
- Circumnavigate Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.70Saint John's $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's 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 Saint John's 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Saint John's?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint John's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint John's in the Autumn?
Both Saint John's and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Saint John's. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Saint John's in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Saint John's. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John's. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Saint John's. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John's averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint John's in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Saint John's. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Saint John's. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun.
In April, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.