Which place is cheaper, Salta 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 Salta?
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 Salta 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 Salta?
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.
Salta
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
-
Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesSalta Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Salta $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Salta is $43. 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 Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Salta $30
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Salta $60
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Salta
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Salta? 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 $11Salta $3.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
- Airport Transfer: $90
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
- Zanzibar Private Transfer from Michamvi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $34
- Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $121
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Bwejuu Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach: $60
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $60
- Zanzibar Private Airport Transfer to Paje Beach Hotels: $50
- Zanzibar Must-see Sights with Lunch and Transfers: $249
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $120
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
- Private Transfer from Salta Airport: $20
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $60
- Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $16
- Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
- Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $180
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $37
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $10
- Saver Combo: Cafayate, Cachi, Salt Fields, Transfers and Walking: $197
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta 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 $28Salta $5.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class and Spice Farm: $59
- Spice Farm Zanzibar Cooking Class Authentic Cultural Experience: $65
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Cooking Class Tour: $75
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
- Zanzibar Spice and Night Market Cooking and Street Food Tour: $80
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $97
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Salta $26
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 Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $26
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Full Day Safari Blue Tour And Blue Lagoon: $140
- 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
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
- A Half Day Private Tour To Spice Farm: $80
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Salta sightseeing tour: $12
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $20
- 4-Hour Guided Highlights City Tour: $24
- Cultural Experience – Alpaca and Leather Workshop + Traditional Mate: $25
- Cachi: Scenic Route and Local Experience from Salta: $29
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $30
- Salta Tour Discover colonial treasures and natural beauty: $30
- From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $30
- From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $31
- Tour Cafayate From Salta: $31
- Full-Day Tour Cafayate Calchaqui Valleys with Wine: $32
- City Tour Salta and San Lorenzo: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.76Salta $5.33
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $29
- Cafayate: Full-day winery tour and wine tasting: $29
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $146
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Salta, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Salta is in South America, 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 Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in Salta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Salta?
Salta has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Salta, 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.