Which place is cheaper, Akureyri 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 Akureyri?
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 Akureyri 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 Akureyri?
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.
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesAkureyri Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Akureyri $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is $191. 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 Akureyri in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Akureyri $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Akureyri $206
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Akureyri
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Akureyri? 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 Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Akureyri $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Airport /Hotel Transfers in Zanzibar : $25
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals: $20
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer : $70
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $250
- Discover Jozani Forest & Rock Restaurant W/ Transfer – Zanzibar: $50
- Explore Jozani Forest & Rock Restaurant with Transfer – Zanzibar: $50
- Guided Tour of Stone Town's Historic Sites + Transfer – Zanzibar: $20
- Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $29
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Akureyri?
Prices for flights to both Akureyri 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 $30Akureyri $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
- Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Akureyri $18
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Zanzibar Organic Spice Farm Tour: $13
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour,history without transport: $14
- Spice Tour Zanzibar : $15
- Zanzibar stonetown walking tour with local guide: $18
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Zanzibar Green Tour Park Experience: $20
- Stone Town Historical & Cultural Walking Adventure – Zanzibar: $20
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- City tours zanzibar : $20
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $24
- Stone Town Tour, Historical & Cultural Landmarks in - Zanzibar: $24
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $24
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $65
- Snowshoeing Experience and Storytelling in Héðinsfjörður: $78
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $78
- Guided Sit on Top Kayak Tour near Akureyri: $79
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $82
- Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall: $82
- Family Friendly Horse Riding Tour in Skagafjörður: $91
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated : $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Akureyri $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Akureyri, we can see that Akureyri 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 Akureyri 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri 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 Akureyri Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Akureyri?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Akureyri, 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 Akureyri?
Akureyri 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 Akureyri in the Summer?
Both Akureyri and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
In the summer, Zanzibar is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Akureyri averages at about 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Akureyri. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Akureyri 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Akureyri in the Autumn?
Both Akureyri and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the autumn. In October, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Akureyri. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Akureyri 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Akureyri in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Akureyri. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Zanzibar is much warmer than Akureyri in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Akureyri fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Akureyri -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Akureyri in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Akureyri. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Zanzibar is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Akureyri averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In the spring, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Akureyri. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Akureyri 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Akureyri and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Akureyri | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.