What You Need to Know: A Zanzibar holiday with us costs about US$250 to US$290 per person per day at mid-range hotels, for two travelers sharing, including hotels with breakfast, transfers and guided days. With a luxury beach resort it is about US$475 to US$555 per day. Our holidays run from US$1,305 per person for 5 days to US$2,900 for 10 days at mid-range level; international flights, visas and insurance are extra.
Zanzibar Holiday Prices by Length
Our Zanzibar holidays, per person for two travelers sharing, with hotels, breakfast, transfers and the guided days named on each page:
| Holiday | Mid-range | Luxury | Per day, mid-range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-day beach holiday | US$1,305 | US$2,725 | US$260 |
| 6-day family holiday (per adult) | US$1,495 | US$1,610 | US$250 |
| 7-day Zanzibar honeymoon | US$1,895 | US$3,865 | US$270 |
| 8-day Stone Town and east coast | US$2,290 | US$2,520 | US$285 |
| 10-day north and south coast | US$2,900 | US$4,755 | US$290 |
The 8-day holiday's luxury price is close to its mid-range price because the east coast hotel is the same at both levels; only the Stone Town hotel changes. On the other trips, the luxury north-coast resort makes most of the difference.
What Does Zanzibar Cost per Day?
At mid-range hotels, plan on about US$250 to US$290 per person per day with us, for two people sharing a room. That covers a good beach hotel or boutique hotel in Stone Town with breakfast, every transfer and a guided trip on some days. At luxury level, with a top beach resort on the north coast, it rises to about US$475 to US$555 per day. Solo travelers pay more, because the room is not shared: our 5-day holiday costs US$1,925 for one traveler at mid-range hotels, against US$1,305 each for two.
Zanzibar Holidays Without the Hotel
If you already have a hotel, or want to book your own, our Zanzibar excursion holidays cost from US$330 per person for 3 days to US$750 for 10 days, covering airport transfers and guided excursion days. They are the cheapest way to see the island with a guide while choosing your own room, from a simple guesthouse to a villa.
What Makes a Zanzibar Holiday Cost More or Less?
Four things move the price more than anything else:
- The beach hotel. Most nights are spent at the beach, so the resort you choose sets most of the price; a luxury resort on the north coast can cost several times a mid-range one.
- The number of travelers. Two people sharing a room pay much less each than one; families and groups of three can use triple rooms.
- The season. Hotels charge most over Christmas and New Year and in July and August, and least in the April and May rains, when some close.
- How many guided days you add. Each guided excursion day costs US$105 per person (children half); free beach days cost nothing beyond the hotel.
Extras to Budget for on Zanzibar
These are the costs our guests most often add, at the prices we charge:
| Extra | Price |
|---|---|
| Guided excursion day (Stone Town, Prison Island, Jozani, spice farm) | US$105 per person, children half |
| Safari Blue or Mnemba snorkeling | US$85 per person |
| Sunset dhow cruise | US$105 per person |
| Whale shark day trip to Mafia Island (October to February) | From US$420 per person from Zanzibar |
| Airport transfer, each way | US$60 per person |
| Fast ferry from Dar es Salaam, each way | US$55 per person |
Costs Every Visitor Pays
Whatever kind of holiday you book, a few costs are the same for everyone:
- Visa for Tanzania, which also covers Zanzibar: US$50 for most nationalities, US$100 for US citizens
- Inbound travel insurance: US$44 per adult, mandatory for foreign visitors; see Zanzibar entry requirements
- Your own travel insurance, including medical evacuation, which the government policy does not replace
- International flights to Zanzibar, or to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro with a connection
- Meals beyond breakfast, drinks and tips, which depend on where you eat
Mid-Range or Luxury Hotels on Zanzibar?
Mid-range hotels on Zanzibar are comfortable, often right on the sand with a pool, and most guests are happy with them. Luxury resorts add space, privacy, better food and service, and on the north coast a beach that feels your own. A good compromise is mid-range in Stone Town, where the old town is the attraction, and a luxury resort for a few nights at the end. Compare the areas in where to stay in Zanzibar.
How to Spend Less on a Zanzibar Holiday
You can keep the same island and spend noticeably less:
- Travel in June, September, October or from mid-January to March, avoiding the Christmas and August peaks
- Share a room, or a triple room with three people
- Book our excursion holiday and your own guesthouse
- Keep a few free beach days instead of a guided trip every day
What a Safari Adds to a Zanzibar Holiday
Many guests add a few days of safari. Our 2-day Serengeti fly-in from Zanzibar, 3-day and 4-day safaris from Zanzibar include the flights, and the Tanzania safari cost guide explains safari prices in detail.
Common Questions About Zanzibar Holiday Costs
Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:
How much does a week in Zanzibar cost?
About US$1,800 to US$2,000 per person for two travelers at mid-range hotels with us, including hotels, breakfast, transfers and some guided days; our 7-day Zanzibar honeymoon costs from US$1,895.
Is Zanzibar expensive?
It covers every budget. Mid-range beach holidays with us cost about US$250 to US$290 per person per day; the luxury resorts on the north coast cost much more.
How much should I budget per day in Zanzibar?
With us, about US$250 to US$290 per person per day at mid-range hotels, plus lunch, dinner, drinks and tips, which depend on where you eat.
Is Zanzibar cheaper than a safari?
Yes, per day. A beach day costs a hotel night and little else, while a safari day includes park fees, a vehicle and a guide.
When is Zanzibar cheapest?
During the long rains in April and May, when hotels charge least, though some close and boat trips are sometimes cancelled. June and September to October are good value with dry weather.
Bottom Line: How Much Should You Budget for Zanzibar?
Plan on about US$250 to US$290 per person per day at mid-range hotels, or US$475 to US$555 with a luxury resort, plus flights, a visa and the US$44 insurance. For a first visit, our 8-day Zanzibar holiday at US$2,290 per person is the best balance of sights and beach; for a short stay, the 5-day beach holiday starts at US$1,305.