Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Sydney?
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 Sydney 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Sydney $278
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $278. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Sydney $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Sydney $208
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Sydney $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
- Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
- Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport Transfer to Beach Hotel: $65
- Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
- Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
- Airport/port Transfer : $70
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $165
- Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $295
- Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Business Car: $103
- Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Luxury Van: $114
- Airport transfers and shuttle bus - home/hotels: $198
- Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $98
- Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $103
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $103
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Luxury Van: $114
- Family Sydney Airport Departure Transfer: $86
- From Sydney Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Sydney: $67
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $195
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $17Sydney $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.64
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Lunch Special$9.91
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.91
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Meat Pies$3.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
- Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
- Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise (1.5 hour): $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Sydney $32
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $23
- Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
- Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25
- Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$30
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$126
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Powerhouse Museum$9.94
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.15
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17
- Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
- Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $17
- Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
- Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Sydney $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $21
- Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $30
- Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
- Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $122
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $145
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
Both Sydney and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Sydney in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sydney during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Sydneyin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Sydney in the Autumn?
Both Sydney 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. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Sydney averages at about 19°C (65°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Sydneyin April. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.
Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Sydneyin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Sydney in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Sydneyin July. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Sydneyin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Sydney in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Sydney. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Sydney in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin October. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.