Which place is cheaper, Tangier or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Tangier?
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 Tangier 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 Tangier?
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.
Tangier
Welcome to the gateway to Africa. Sitting on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier, Morocco has historically served as the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Africa.
After World War II, this city became a destination for eccentric foreigners, artists, spies and hippies. After that, the city was neglected and gained a horrible reputation for the hustlers cheating visitors left and right.
In 1999 Morocco saw the beginning of a new monarch who was more progressive with his vision for tourism. This message lit a fire under Tangier, helping the people see the amazing potential in their great city. They built a new port, a new business district and revamped the airport. The beaches and streets have been cleaned up of trash and hustlers and there's a sudden surge in cultural activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $49Tangier $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $49, while the average daily cost in Tangier is $63. 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 Tangier in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $23Tangier $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $46Tangier $48
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Tangier
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Tangier? 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 Tangier Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Tangier $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $165
- Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise with Transfers.: $149
- Zanzibar : Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure with hotel transfer: $138
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Luxury Sedan: $125
- Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
- Zanzibar COVID-19 Testing Center Private Round Trip Transfer: $99
- Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $95
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $93
- Private Transfer from Kizimkazi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $93
- Stone Town and Prison Island Tour with Transfer: $89
- Zanzibar Padel court lesson Kiwengwa with transfer: $86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tangier
Also for Tangier, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Tangier Airport to Chefchaouen: $89
- "Fez to Marrakech: Enjoy a Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $205
- Airport Transfer to Tanger City : $25
- Door to door transfer from Tangier to Fes: $298
- Fes to Tangier Transfer(Private): $147
- Fez or Meknes Private Transfer to Tangier via Chefchaouen: $317
- From Fes: Transfer to Tangier passing by Chefchaouen: $110
- From Tangier : Private Luxury Transfer to Fes: $279
- From Tangier Private Transfer to Fes via Chefchaouen: $153
- From Transfer to Fez via Chefchaouen and Volubilis: $253
- Luxury door to door transfer in Tangier: $77
- One Way transfer from Fes to Tanger passing by chefchaouen: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Tangier?
Prices for flights to both Tangier 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 $16Tangier $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Lesson | Half day: $45
- Experience Night Local Food Tour at Stone Town: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Spice farm tour with local foods cooking class: $69
- Local Swahili cooking Classes with Spice Tours: $70
- Spice Farm Tour with Cooking Class and Lunch: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $73
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
Typical Food Prices in Tangier
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tangier:
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Fruit & Yogurt$1.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tangier
For Tangier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Private Moroccan Food Tour in Tanger : $56
- Morocco Food Cooking Class and Tangier City Tour: $67
- Tangier food tour with Rababe: $68
- Tangier food tour : $73
- Caves, sunset, camel ride on the beach and barbecue dinner: $74
- Tangier Private Cooking Class With a Local Family: $74
- Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $74
- Tangier Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $74
- Tasting Tangier Food Tour: $75
- Tangier Food Tour with a certified foodie local guide!: $77
- Moroccan 3-in-1 Cooking Experience: $77
- Moroccan 3 in 1 Cooking Experience: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $12Tangier $20
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- City Tour in Zanzibar : $33
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
- Spice Tour & Mangapwani Cave Tour: $80
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $120
- Zanzibar : 5-Hour Mangapwani Historical Cave Tour : $69
- Zanzibar : Spice Farm & Prison Island Tour: $87
- ½-Day Zanzibar Spices Tour: $150
- 1 DAY TRIP ADVENTURE TO MIKUMI PARK FROM ZANZIBAR BY FLIGHT: $450
- 1 DAY TRIP EXPERIENCE FROM ZANZIBAR TO MIKUMI PARK BY FLIGHT: $450
- 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
Tours and Activities in Tangier
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tangier.
- Alchemist Quest Experience in Tarifa: $6.15
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus: $14
- Tangier City Tour Bus Hop On - Hop Off: $15
- Private Tangier Shopping Tour with Local Guide: $15
- Tangier Walking Tour: Discover the City on Foot: $16
- From Marrakesh: Discover Essaouira Full-Day Tour: $18
- Tangier walking tour: $18
- Medina to Modern: Tangier Shopping Tour (Walking tour): $25
- guided tour of the medina souks: $27
- Tangier Private Walking Tour: $27
- Market to experience making Berber rugs: $27
- Touristic guide: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.50Tangier $11
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Tangier, we can see that Tangier is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Tangier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tangier 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 Tangier Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Tangier?
Tangier has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Tangier, 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 Tangier?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Tangier in the Summer?
Both Tangier and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tangier year-round.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in July than Tangier. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Tangier, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Tangier. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tangier receives 346 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Tangier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Tangier averages at about 24°C (74°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Tangier 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Tangier in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Tangier. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Tangier attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tangier. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tangier this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Tangier during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Tangier receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Tangier. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Tangier fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Tangier 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Tangier in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Tangier. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tangier throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Tangier. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in January than Tangier. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Tangier. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tangier receives 169 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Tangier in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Tangier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Tangier 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Tangier in the Spring?
Both Tangier and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tangier because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Tangier. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Tangier. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Tangier during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Tangier receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Zanzibar is much warmer than Tangier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Tangier averages at about 15°C (60°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Tangier 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Tangier and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Tangier | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 13°C (56°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.