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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Singapore?

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 Singapore 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 Singapore?

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.

Singapore

Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.


Which place is cheaper, Singapore 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 Singapore is $180. 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 Singapore in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Singapore $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Singapore $204
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Singapore

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Singapore? 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 Singapore


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 Singapore Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Singapore $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
  • Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Hotel Transfer Private Taxi Service: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfer and Island Shuttle Service: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfer Private Taxi to Hotels in Zanzibar: $20
  • Private Zanzibar Airport Transfer: $20
  • Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
  • Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
  • Zanzibar Aiport transfer services: $23

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:

  • Airport Transfer: $85
  • Airport Transfer 9 Seaters Minibus Singapore: $64
  • Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Car: $149
  • Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Business Car: $97
  • Gardens By the Bay Ticket & Transfer: $82
  • Gardens by the Bay & Marina Bay SkyPark with 2 Way Transfer: $104
  • Hotel to Singapore Airport Private Transfer: $34
  • Joiner 2 Way Transfer Gardens by the Bay Day and Night Experience: $80
  • Luxurious Airport/Cruise Transfers Singapore: $35
  • MBCC & SCC - Cruise Terminal to City Hotel Transfer: $68
  • Mercedes Viano 7 Seater Private Airport and P2P Transfer: $54
  • One Way Transfer from Changi Airport to Central Singapore: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Singapore?

Prices for flights to both Singapore 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
    Singapore $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.

  • Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class and Spice Farm: $59
  • 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
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107

Typical Food Prices in Singapore

Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:


  • Breakfast
    $4.77
  • Sugarcane Juice
    $1.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.

  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $53
  • Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $54
  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $55
  • Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings (Self-Guided Hunt): $56
  • Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
  • Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
  • Breakfast Food Tour in Singapore: $60
  • Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
  • Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $68
  • Flavours of Singapore Food Tour at Joo Chiat: $72
  • Guided Street Food Tour at Night: $74
  • Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $74

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Singapore $34

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Podcast Tour Zanzibar City The Black Gold and the Broken Chains: $5.48
  • Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $14
  • Zanzibar Private Spice Farm Tour With Optional Lunch: $17
  • Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $17
  • Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $17
  • Stone Town tour: $18
  • Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Private Walking Tour With Old Slave Market: $18
  • Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $20
  • Stone Town Walking Tour Explore Zanzibar's Historical Heart: $20
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise with Traditional Drums and Fruits: $20
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour to Mussa Village: $20

Tours and Activities in Singapore

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:

  • Live Like a Local in Singapore (Half-day Tour): $3.19
  • Singapore City Walking Tour: Heartbeat of the City: $4.00
  • Jewel Changi Airport: Canopy Park Admission Ticket: $6.40
  • Science Center E-Ticket: $6.43
  • Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.51
  • Singapore's F1 Night Race: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
  • The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • National Orchid Garden Admission Ticket: $7.70
  • Gardens by the Bay Bundle Entry Ticket: $7.75
  • Indian Heritage Centre Entrance Ticket: $7.75
  • Singapore Self-Guided Walking Tour Landmarks Audio and Quiz: $7.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.76
    Singapore $29

Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:

  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $31
  • Singapore Pub Crawl: $38
  • Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $39
  • Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $41
  • LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $77
  • LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $192


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Singapore?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Singapore, 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.