How much does it cost to go to Zanzibar: average prices for eating and lodging

A week in Zanzibar costs, including the flight, approximately between €1,150 and €1,900 per person during the mid-season, with budget-to-mid-range accommodations and a couple of excursions; for a stay at a high-end resort, the cost exceeds €3,000. In the off-season, in April and May, prices can drop to around €1,000; during the Christmas and New Year’s weeks and in August , the same vacation can easily exceed €2,500–3,000. The biggest expenses are the flight and lodging; food and excursions account for a much smaller portion of the cost, especially if you eat at local restaurants.

Below you’ll find a detailed, item-by-item breakdown of how prices change from month to month, along with some tips on how to spend less without sacrificing anything important.

Costs, Item by Item

The flight

There are two options from Italy to Zanzibar:

• Direct charter flights, operated seasonally from certain Italian cities, particularly Milan, Rome, Verona, and Bologna: approximately 8–9 hours of flight time, often sold as part of a package deal with a hotel;
• scheduled flights with layovers, with airlines such as Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Emirates or flydubai via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa: 12 to 16 hours total, depending on the layover.

A round-trip ticket costs approximately between €600 and €1,300, with prices peaking in August and during holidays. Those who combine a beach vacation with a safari usually fly into Kilimanjaro and depart from Zanzibar using a multi-leg ticket. Airlines, layovers, and money-saving tips are included in our guide to flights from Italy to Tanzania.

For those arriving in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar can be reached by a domestic flight lasting about twenty minutes or by high-speed ferry, which takes about two hours and costs around 35–50 USD one way.

The accommodation

This is the item that varies most from traveler to traveler. For a double room per night, the following is an approximate estimate:

The all-inclusive package, common in resorts along the north and northeast coasts, raises the room rate but reduces meal costs. In more remote areas, such as the east coast, half-board is often the most practical choice. Areas, types of accommodations, and tips for choosing are in our guide on where to stay in Zanzibar.

How much does it cost to eat in Zanzibar

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Eating out can be very inexpensive or cost about the same as in Italy, depending on where you go:

• street food and local eateries: 5–10 USD for a full meal, featuring dishes such as spiced rice pilau, coconut-braised fish, meat skewers, or the “Zanzibar pizza” at the Forodhani Night Market in Stone Town;
• mid-rangetourist restaurants: 15–30 USD per person;
• resort restaurants and more upscale establishments, including those serving Italian or international cuisine: 30–60 USD per person, sometimes more, not including drinks.

A bottle of water costs less than a dollar in stores and much more at resorts. Alcohol is relatively expensive because it is imported and taxed, especially in predominantly Muslim areas outside the tourist circuits.

Excursions and Activities

Prices depend largely on how you organize the tour: group tours are cheaper, while private tours cost more, and it’s always a good idea to check whether admission fees, lunch, and transportation are included. Be wary of very low prices offered by vendors on the beach, as they often do not include safety fees or protected area fees. All excursions are described in the guide on what to see and where to go in Zanzibar.

Visa, insurance, and other expenses

• Tourist visa: 50 USD, to be applied for online before departure;
• mandatory health insurance: 44 USD per person, required to enter Zanzibar and, starting October 1, 2026, for all of Tanzania;
• tourist tax charged by accommodations, per night;
• transfers from the airport to the hotel: 30–80 USD one way for a private car, depending on the area;
• tips for hotel staff, guides, and drivers—a customary practice that is appreciated.

Procedures and required documents are explained in the visa guide for Tanzania and Zanzibar.

How much does it cost to travel to Zanzibar at different times of the year?

Zanzibar in December and at Christmas

The first half of December still has mid-season prices, with the last of the brief rains tapering off. From around December 20 through early January, however, the most expensive time of the year begins: flights and hotels can cost up to twice as much as in November, and many accommodations require minimum stays and mandatory dinners for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. A week during that time, with a flight and a mid-range hotel, starts at approximately €2,200–2,500 per person.

Zanzibar in February

February is one of the best months in terms of the balance between weather and price: it’s warm, the sea is calm and crystal-clear, and prices are lower than during the holidays. A week’s stay, including a flight and a mid-range hotel, costs approximately between 1,500 and 2,000 € per person. In February, Stone Town also hosts Sauti za Busara, one of the leading African music festivals.

You can find the month-by-month climate in our guide on when to visit Zanzibar.

Sample Budget: A Week in Zanzibar

The figures are based on the average season. During peak season, add approximately 20–40%, especially for flights and lodging; during off-season, you can subtract a similar amount. Tips and personal purchases are not included.

How to Save Money in Zanzibar

• Choose the shoulder months: June, September, October, and November offer a great balance between weather and price.
• Book your flight early, especially for August and the holidays, and compare direct charter flights with those that have layovers.
• Consider the east coast: in Paje and Jambiani, accommodations cost less on average than in the north.
• Eat where the locals eat: the food is good and costs a fraction of what it does at resort restaurants.
• Organize group excursions and always check what’s included in the price.
• Combine Zanzibar with a safari: in a single package, domestic flights, transfers, and hotels are better coordinated and often come at more favorable rates than when booked separately.

How much does a safari plus Zanzibar cost

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Many travelers combine a few days in Tanzania’s national parks with a beach vacation in Zanzibar. In our safari and beach packages, prices for ground services start at €2,999 for a total of 13 days, excluding international flights. A complete breakdown of safari expenses, from park fees to tips, can be found in our guide to the cost of a safari in Tanzania.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to know exactly how much your trip would cost? Send us your dates, number of people, and type of vacation : we’ll prepare a detailed quote, item by item, with or without safari.