Which place is cheaper, Turku 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 Turku?
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 Turku 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 Turku?
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.
Turku
Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, and The Best Budget Tours to Finland.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesTurku Prices
Finland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Turku $185
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Turku is $185. 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 Turku in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Turku $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Turku $176
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Turku
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Turku? 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 Turku Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Turku $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar Transfer in Land Cruiser Prado: $220
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Zanzibar JetCar ride with drone video and transfer included: $168
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Zanzibar VIP Transfer in Mercedes-Benz: $120
- Zanzibar Airport Pickup, Stone Town Tour and Nungwi Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $98
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Jambiani: $89
- Private Transfer from Jambiani to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku
Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $95
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Turku?
Prices for flights to both Turku 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 $28Turku $65
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
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
- Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Turku $26
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 Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $25
- 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
- A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
- A Full Day Stone Town and Spice Farm Private Tour: $100
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Tour To Spice Farm: $80
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Järvelä Sauna Experience in the Turku Archipelago: $19
- Experience Turku with a local guide: $282
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Turku $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Turku, we can see that Turku 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 Turku is in Europe, 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku 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 Turku Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Turku?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Turku, 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 Turku?
Turku 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 Turku in the Summer?
Both Turku 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.
In July, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Turku. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Turku fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Turku, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Turku. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 262 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Turku. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Turku receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Turku 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Turku in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Turku. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Turku in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Turku fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Turku during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Turku. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Turku receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Turku 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Turku in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Turku. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Turku. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Turku averages at about -6°C (20°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Turku. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 39 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Turku. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Turku receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Turku -6°C (20°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Turku in the Spring?
Both Turku and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
Turku can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Turku. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Turku fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Turku during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Turku. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Turku receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Turku 3°C (37°F)
Typical Weather for Turku and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Turku | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.