{"id":73037,"date":"2024-02-03T21:26:36","date_gmt":"2024-02-03T20:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-zanzibar-average-prices-for-eating-and-lodging\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T10:27:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T09:27:45","slug":"how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-zanzibar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-zanzibar\/","title":{"rendered":"How much does it cost to go to Zanzibar: average prices for eating and lodging"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A week in Zanzibar costs, including <strong>the flight<\/strong>, approximately <strong>between \u20ac1,150 and \u20ac1,900 per person<\/strong> 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 \u20ac3,000. In the off-season, in April and May, prices can drop to around \u20ac1,000; during the <strong>Christmas and New Year\u2019s<\/strong> weeks and in August <strong>,<\/strong> the same vacation can easily exceed <strong>\u20ac2,500\u20133,000.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<p>Below you&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-breve\">\n<h2>At a Glance: The Cost of a Vacation in Zanzibar<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Flight from Italy<\/strong>: \u20ac600\u20131,300 round-trip, depending on the season and airline<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accommodation<\/strong>: from 40 USD per night for a guesthouse to over 500 USD for a luxury resort<\/li>\n<li><strong>Meals<\/strong>: 5\u201310 USD at a local eatery, 20\u201350 USD at a tourist restaurant<\/li>\n<li><strong>Excursions<\/strong>: $25\u2013100 each<\/li>\n<li><strong>Visa and mandatory insurance<\/strong>: 50 + 44 USD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Costs, Item by Item<\/h2>\n<h3>The flight<\/h3>\n<p> There are two options from Italy to Zanzibar:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Direct charter flights<\/strong>, operated seasonally from certain Italian cities, particularly Milan, Rome, Verona, and Bologna: approximately 8\u20139 hours of flight time, often sold as part of a package deal with a hotel;<\/li>\n<li><strong>scheduled flights with layovers<\/strong>, 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A round-trip ticket costs approximately between \u20ac600 and \u20ac1,300, 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/voli-tanzania-italia\/\">flights from Italy to Tanzania<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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\u201350 USD one way.<\/p>\n<h3>The accommodation<\/h3>\n<p> This is the item that varies most from traveler to traveler. For a double room per night, the following is an approximate estimate:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Type of accommodation<\/th>\n<th>Estimated price per night<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Guesthouses, hostels, small hotels<\/td>\n<td>40\u2013100 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mid-range hotels and lodges<\/td>\n<td>100\u2013250 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>High-end resorts, vacation villages, and boutique hotels<\/td>\n<td>250\u2013500 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Luxury and Private Islands<\/td>\n<td>over 500 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/where-to-stay-in-zanzibar-tips\/\">where to stay in Zanzibar<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>How much does it cost to eat in Zanzibar<\/h3>\n<p>?<br \/>\nEating out can be very inexpensive or cost about the same as in Italy, depending on where you go:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>street food and local eateries<\/strong>: 5\u201310 USD for a full meal, featuring dishes such as spiced rice pilau, coconut-braised fish, meat skewers, or the \u201cZanzibar pizza\u201d at the Forodhani Night Market in Stone Town;<\/li>\n<li>mid-range<strong>tourist restaurants<\/strong>: 15\u201330 USD per person;<\/li>\n<li><strong>resort restaurants and more upscale establishments<\/strong>, including those serving Italian or international cuisine: 30\u201360 USD per person, sometimes more, not including drinks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3>Excursions and Activities<\/h3>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Excursion<\/th>\n<th>Estimated price per person<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Spice Tour<\/td>\n<td>25\u201340 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Guided Tour of Stone Town<\/td>\n<td>20\u201340 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbar<\/td>\n<td>30\u201360 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Jozani National Park<\/td>\n<td>25\u201350 USD, including transportation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dhow cruise in Menai Bay, with snorkeling and lunch<\/td>\n<td>60\u201390 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll<\/td>\n<td>50\u201390 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour in Kizimkazi<\/td>\n<td>40\u201370 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Scuba Diving<\/td>\n<td>Starting at 70 USD per dive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Kitesurfing Lesson in Paje<\/td>\n<td>Starting at 60 USD per hour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Prices depend largely on how you organize the tour: group tours are cheaper, while private tours cost more, and it\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/zanzibars-most-beautiful-area\/\">what to see and where to go in Zanzibar<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Visa, insurance, and other expenses<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tourist visa<\/strong>: 50 USD, to be applied for online before departure;<\/li>\n<li><strong>mandatory health insurance<\/strong>: 44 USD per person, required to enter Zanzibar and, starting October 1, 2026, for all of Tanzania;<\/li>\n<li><strong>tourist tax<\/strong> charged by accommodations, per night;<\/li>\n<li><strong>transfers<\/strong> from the airport to the hotel: 30\u201380 USD one way for a private car, depending on the area;<\/li>\n<li><strong>tips<\/strong> for hotel staff, guides, and drivers\u2014a customary practice that is appreciated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Procedures and required documents are explained in the <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/tanzania-and-zanzibar-visa\/\">visa guide for Tanzania and Zanzibar<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>How much does it cost to travel to Zanzibar at different times of the year?<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Period<\/th>\n<th>Season<\/th>\n<th>Prices<\/th>\n<th>Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Christmas and New Year&#8217;s<\/td>\n<td>Very High<\/td>\n<td>High<\/td>\n<td>Flights and hotels must be booked several months in advance; many accommodations require a minimum stay<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>January\u2013February<\/td>\n<td>High<\/td>\n<td>High, but lower than during the holidays<\/td>\n<td>Warm, calm sea\u2014great for snorkeling<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>March<\/td>\n<td>Average<\/td>\n<td>Declining<\/td>\n<td>Very warm, with the first rains at the end of the month<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>April\u2013May<\/td>\n<td>Low<\/td>\n<td>Lows<\/td>\n<td>Prolonged rain, some resorts closed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>June<\/td>\n<td>Media<\/td>\n<td>Affordable<\/td>\n<td>End of the rainy season, cool weather<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>July\u2013August<\/td>\n<td>High<\/td>\n<td>High, with peak temperatures in August<\/td>\n<td>Dry season, very popular with Italians<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September\u2013October<\/td>\n<td>Medium-high<\/td>\n<td>Good value for money<\/td>\n<td>Dry and sunny, less crowded than in August<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>November<\/td>\n<td>Low to medium<\/td>\n<td>Affordable<\/td>\n<td>Short showers, often lasting just a few hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Zanzibar in December and at Christmas<\/h3>\n<p>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\u2019s Eve. A week during that time, with a flight and a mid-range hotel, starts at approximately \u20ac2,200\u20132,500 per person.<\/p>\n<h3>Zanzibar in February<\/h3>\n<p>February is one of the best months in terms of the balance between weather and price: it\u2019s warm, the sea is calm and crystal-clear, and prices are lower than during the holidays. A week\u2019s stay, including a flight and a mid-range hotel, costs approximately between 1,500 and 2,000 \u20ac per person. In February, Stone Town also hosts Sauti za Busara, one of the leading African music festivals.<\/p>\n<p>You can find the month-by-month climate in our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/best-time-to-visit-zanzibar\/\">when to visit Zanzibar<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Sample Budget: A Week in Zanzibar<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Entry<\/th>\n<th>Economy<\/th>\n<th>Medium<\/th>\n<th>Comfort<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Round-trip flight from Italy<\/td>\n<td>650 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac850<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac1,100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Accommodations, 7 nights (per person, based on double occupancy)<\/td>\n<td>200 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>550 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac1,200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Meals<\/td>\n<td>100 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>200 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>350 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Excursions (2\u20133)<\/td>\n<td>80 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>150 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>250 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Visa, Insurance, Transfers<\/td>\n<td>120 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>130 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>150 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Estimated total<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>approximately 1,150 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>approximately 1,880 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>about 3,050 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The figures are based on the average season. During peak season, add approximately 20\u201340%, especially for flights and lodging; during off-season, you can subtract a similar amount. Tips and personal purchases are not included.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Save Money in Zanzibar<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Choose the shoulder months<\/strong>: June, September, October, and November offer a great balance between weather and price.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Book your flight early<\/strong>, especially for August and the holidays, and compare direct charter flights with those that have layovers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consider the east coast<\/strong>: in Paje and Jambiani, accommodations cost less on average than in the north.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eat where the locals eat<\/strong>: the food is good and costs a fraction of what it does at resort restaurants.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Organize group excursions<\/strong> and always check what\u2019s included in the price.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Combine Zanzibar with a safari<\/strong>: in a single package, domestic flights, transfers, and hotels are better coordinated and often come at more favorable rates than when booked separately.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How much does a safari plus Zanzibar cost<\/h2>\n<p>?<br \/>\nMany travelers combine a few days in Tanzania\u2019s national parks with a beach vacation in Zanzibar. In our <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/trips-to-tanzania\/safari-sea-extension-zanzibar\/\">safari and beach packages<\/a>, prices for ground services start at \u20ac2,999 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/tanzania-safari-prices\/\">the cost of a safari in Tanzania<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>How much does a week in Zanzibar cost?<\/summary>\n<p>During the mid-season, including a flight, budget-to-mid-range accommodations, and a couple of excursions, a week costs approximately between \u20ac1,150 and \u20ac1,900 per person. In the off-season, the cost can drop to around \u20ac1,000, while during Christmas and in August, it often exceeds \u20ac2,500.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>When is the cheapest time to visit Zanzibar?<\/summary>\n<p>April and May, during the long rains, when many accommodations lower their prices. June, September, October, and November offer a good balance between price and weather.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How much does it cost to eat in Zanzibar?<\/summary>\n<p> At a local restaurant, a full meal will cost $5\u201310 USD. At a tourist restaurant, you&#8217;ll spend $15\u201330 USD per person, and at resort or international restaurants, $30\u201360 USD or more.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How long is the flight from Italy to Zanzibar?<\/summary>\n<p> A direct charter flight takes about 8\u20139 hours. A scheduled flight with a stopover, for example in Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, or Addis Ababa, typically lasts between 12 and 16 hours.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<p> Want to know exactly how much your trip would cost? <a href=\"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/contact-us\/\">Send us your dates, number of people, and type of vacation<\/a> : we&#8217;ll prepare a detailed quote, item by item, with or without safari.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A week in Zanzibar costs, including the flight, approximately between \u20ac1,150 and \u20ac1,900 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 \u20ac3,000. In the off-season, in April and May, prices can drop to around \u20ac1,000; during the Christmas and New [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":72294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[366],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tanzania"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73037"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76530,"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73037\/revisions\/76530"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}