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.
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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.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesSingapore Prices
Singapore Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Singapore $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $179. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Singapore $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Singapore $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Singapore $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure: $20
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Aiport transfer services: $23
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off: $25
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer Service with Wifi and Aircon: $29
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer (ZNZ) - Private Taxi & Hotel Transfer: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- 1 Day 2 Attraction Pass ( Tickets & transfer ): $141
- Airport Transfer: $85
- Airport Transfer 9 Seaters Minibus Singapore: $64
- Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Car: $154
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Luxury Van: $117
- Departure Transfer: Pick up from hotel to Airport or CruiseCentre: $79
- Gardens By the Bay Ticket & Transfer: $70
- Hotel to Singapore Airport Private Transfer: $34
- Luxurious Airport/Cruise Transfers Singapore: $35
- MBS SkyPark, Gardens by the Bay & Flyer with Transfer: $162
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
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $28Singapore $50
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
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Fully Day Private Tour Spice Tour Cooking Class and Stone town: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.75
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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.
- 8-hr guided tour : Food Tour, 40-min River cruise & 2 light Shows: $52
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $53
- Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $54
- Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings (Self-Guided Hunt): $56
- Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
- Breakfast Food Tour in Singapore: $60
- Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
- Chinatown History and Food Tour in Singapore: $60
- Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
- Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $68
- Flavors of Singapore Food Tour at Chinatown: $72
- Flavours of Singapore Food Tour at Joo Chiat: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Singapore $34
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stone Town Self Audio Guide Tour With Tourist Map: $6.00
- Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.04
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- City Tour with French guide: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
- Stone town walking tour with Akash: $20
- Walking City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $20
- Best Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar old town historical walking tour: $20
- Fruits & Spices Adventure: $21
- Discover the Hidden Histories of Stone Town Walking Tour: $22
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
- Chinatown Walking Tour: Struggles of our Forefathers: $4.00
- Singapore City Walking Tour: Heartbeat of the City: $4.00
- Singapore Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Jewel Changi Airport: Canopy Park Admission Ticket: $6.40
- Science Center E-Ticket: $6.43
- Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.51
- Ticket to Singapore Changi Chapel and Museum: $6.57
- Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Singapore Singtel Best 5G/4G Tourist SIMs with SG Transport Card: $7.06
- Singapore Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $7.19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Singapore $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Little India Pub Crawl: $24
- 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.
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.