Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Surfers Paradise $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $132. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Surfers Paradise $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Surfers Paradise $142
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Surfers Paradise? 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 Surfers Paradise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Surfers Paradise $12
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 Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chill Out at Byron Bay from Gold Coast (Transfer Only): $81
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $127
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
- Private Transfers From Gold Coast to Brisbane: $177
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $28Surfers Paradise $48
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
- 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
- half day tours spice Farm with Cooking Class: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Surfers Paradise $25
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 Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
- A Half Day Private Tour to Spice Farm: $80
- A Private Full Day Tour To Stone Town & Spice Farm: $90
- Authentic Stone Town Walking Tour With The Local Zanzibar Cuisine: $67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$84
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Surfers Paradise - 2 Hour Gold Coast Sightseeing Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Midday River Cruise: $21
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $28
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River Cruises: $28
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $28
- Sandbox Virtual Reality Experience - Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast: $32
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $32
- Gold Coast Ultimate High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $35
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $38
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $39
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.76Surfers Paradise $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Surfers Paradise
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Surfers Paradise:
- Tamborine Mountain Food & Wine Tour from the Gold Coast: $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise is in Pacific, 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Surfers Paradise?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Surfers Paradise. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise and Zanzibar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein July. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.