A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Venice for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Venice?

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 Venice 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 Venice?

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.

Venice

The canals of Venice are one of the most popular and emulated destinations in the world. In it's hay day, Venice was at the center of politics, exploration, arts and architecture. Today that history is still very much alive and well. The city is unlike any other in the world. The best way to immerse yourself in Venice is to get yourself lost in the alleyways. It's actually quite easy to do and you'll find yourself stumbling into the most interesting places, hidden away from the crowds of Piazzo San Marco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Venice or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Venice is $246. 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 Venice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Venice $128
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Venice $256
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Venice

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Venice? 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Venice


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 Venice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Venice $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • From Mystery Day Safari with Transfer: $500
  • Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Daressalam with two way transfers : $260
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Kiwengwa: $200
  • Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise with Transfers.: $149
  • Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
  • Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure with hotel transfer: $138
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
  • Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Luxury Sedan: $125
  • Ferry Zanzibar :Transfer services: $120
  • Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
  • Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Venice

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Venice:


  • Venice 12 Hour Transport Pass
    $17
  • Vaporetto Ride
    $6.96
  • 1 Day Travel Card
    $19
  • 7 Day Transport Card (for Two)
    $108

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Venice

Also for Venice, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Venice, Сruise Port to Verona Airport (VRN) - Departure Private Transfer: $85
  • Airport Marco Polo (VCE) to Chioggia - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
  • Arrival Transfer from Venice Airport to Piazzale Roma by Sedan: $49
  • Arrival Transfer: Marco Polo Airport VCE to Venice (Luxury Van): $196
  • Bologna Airport:1-Way Private Transfer to Venice+water taxi: $836
  • Burano + water taxi to Ravenna or Cruise Port -Departure Transfer: $163
  • Burano + water taxi to Venice Airport (VCE) - Departure Transfer: $99
  • Burano +water taxi to Trieste or port -Departure Private Transfer: $165
  • Chioggia Cruise Port to Malpensa Milan Airport (MXP) -Departure Private Transfer: $208
  • Chioggia Port : One Way Transfer to Venice, Piazzale Roma: $431
  • Departure Transfer: Venice to Marco Polo Airport VCE (Luxury Van): $196
  • Departure Transfer: Venice to Marco Polo Airport VCE in Sedan Car: $191

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Venice?

Prices for flights to both Venice 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zanzibar $17
    Venice $69

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 Venice

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Venice:


  • Panini Sandwich
    $4.29
  • Gelato
    $6.43
  • Artichoke & Mushroom Pizza
    $8.47
  • Expresso
    $2.09
  • Slice of Pizza
    $2.39
  • Three Course Dinner (for Two)
    $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Venice

For Venice, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Hard Rock Cafe Venice with Set Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Tiramisu Cooking Class on Line from Venice: $35
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings: $47
  • Small Group Venice Street Food Tour with Expert Local Guide: $48
  • Venice Street Food Tour with Local Guide with Local Food Market Visit: $48
  • Street Food Tour of Venice in 2.5 hours: $48
  • Eating Venice Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $48
  • Guided City Highlights and Street Food Tour: $52
  • Venetian Dinner: $62
  • Twilight Food Tour with Cicchetti and Spritz Tasting: $64
  • Venetian Dinner: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Venice $108

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
  • Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
  • Spice Tour & Mangapwani Cave Tour: $80
  • Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $130
  • Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour : $47
  • 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
  • 2day Zanzibar adventure: Prison Island & Sandbank (all-incl): $538
  • 3 HOURS PRISON ISLAND TOUR IN ZANZIBAR: $60
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $30
  • 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $26

Typical Entertainment Prices in Venice

For Venice, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Venice Boat Ride
    $16
  • Bell tower of St. Mark Entrance Fee
    $8.57
  • Gondola Ride (for Group)
    $86
  • Secret Itinerary Tour- Doge's Palace
    $17
  • The Jewish Museum Admission
    $3.21
  • The Glass Museum in Murano
    $8.57

Tours and Activities in Venice

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Venice.

  • Venezia: Digital Guide made by a Local for your walking tour: $2.15
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Venice self guided audio tour: $4.29
  • Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour in Jewish Ghetto: $4.63
  • Self Guided Audio Tour to The Jewish Ghetto of Venice : $4.70
  • From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.84
  • Venezia Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local: $5.24
  • From 1-Way Bus Ticket to Florence or Vice Versa: $5.35
  • Digital Audio Guide Tour of The Jewish Ghetto: $5.38
  • independent walking tour with an audio guide: $5.38
  • walking tour with audio guide in French: $5.38
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Venice: $5.47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    Venice $26

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 Venice

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Venice:


  • 1/2 Liter Wine
    $5.57
  • Beer
    $5.25

Sample the Local Flavors in Venice

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Venice:

  • Venice Food and Wine Tasting Tour with a Local Guide: $8.74
  • Guided Tour and wine tasting 5 wines to discover the Conegliano Valdobbiadene: $27
  • Guided Visit and Wine Tasting at the Winery in Veneto: $27
  • Wine Tasting in Venice: $38
  • private tour in the city and wine tasting: $51
  • Wine tasting Asolo Prosecco at Tenuta Baron: $59
  • Food and Wine Tasting Bar Tour & Evening Guided Tour: $72
  • Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl: $80
  • Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl: $82
  • Eat, drink and repeat: Wine tasting tour in Venice: $98
  • Authentic Neighborhood Cicchetti Food & Wine Tour: $106
  • A Venetian Evening - Wine Tasting & Tapas tour with a Local guide: $109


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Venice, we can see that Venice 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 Venice 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice 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 Venice Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Venice?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Venice, 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 Venice?

Venice 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 Venice in the Summer?

Both Venice 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. Also, most visitors come to Venice for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Venice in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Venice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Venice, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Venice. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Venice. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Venice 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Venice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Venice. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Venice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zanzibar is much warmer than Venice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Venice averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Venice during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Venice. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Venice 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Venice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Venice. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Venice this time of year.

It's quite cold in Venice in the winter. In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°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 Venice. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Venice. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Venice 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Venice in the Spring?

Both Venice and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the natural beauty.

Zanzibar is much warmer than Venice in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Venice fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Venice during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Venice. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Venice 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Venice and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Venice
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 4°C (38°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)