Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam?
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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam?
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.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesAmsterdam Prices
Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Amsterdam $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $248. 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 Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Amsterdam $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Amsterdam $240
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Amsterdam
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Amsterdam? 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 Amsterdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Amsterdam $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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram$3.75
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Renting a Bike$18
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One Hour Canal Cruise$12
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Single Day Transit Pass$3.05
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Amsterdam : $150
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Noordwijk: $140
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $271
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zaandam: $116
- AMS Schiphol Airport VIP Meet and Assist Pickup (with Hotel Private Transfer): $210
- Airport Private Transfer: Schiphol Airport ↔ Amsterdam City: $150
- Airport Transfer Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City: $138
- Airport Transfer: Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS by Luxury Car: $131
- Airport Transfer: Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS by Luxury Van: $107
- Airport Transfer: Schiphol Airport AMS to Amsterdam by Luxury Van: $107
- Airport or Port transfer Business Class (private car service) : $186
- Airport or Port transfer First Class (private car service) : $271
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam 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 $30Amsterdam $94
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
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea$7.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $11
- Stroopwafel & Secrets: Amsterdam Street Food Tour de Pijp : $42
- Bike Rental and Dinner or Lunch: $52
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $61
- 3-course Dinner in the Dark Amsterdam: $63
- 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $72
- Bens Local Food Tour - 8 Tastings: $78
- Amsterdam Music Tour with Dinner: $86
- Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $94
- Dutch Food Tour with local guide: $94
- Amsterdam-West Food Tour with local guide: $102
- Dinner Canal Cruise 4-Courses Including Drinks: $107
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Amsterdam $44
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
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- City tours zanzibar : $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Zanzibar Green Tour Park Experience: $20
- Stone Town Historical & Cultural Walking Adventure – Zanzibar: $20
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $24
- Stone Town Tour, Historical & Cultural Landmarks in - Zanzibar: $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum$7.04
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House$20
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Anne Frank Tour Amsterdam: $3.59
- The Classic Walking Tour of Amsterdam | 2 Hours with a Local: $3.59
- Bill's Bike Tour - Rent a Flower Bike in Amsterdam: $5.00
- Amsterdam Tour through its most famous Icons: $6.01
- Amsterdam Center Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $6.45
- Amsterdam (Museum Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $6.45
- Red Light District Amsterdam Tour with Audioguide: $8.40
- Amsterdam Interactive City Tour: $8.42
- WW2 Jewish & Anne Frank Amsterdam Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Amsterdam's Red Light District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Volendam Marken Express Boat Cruise: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Amsterdam $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $29
- City Centre Bar Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $30
- Amsterdam Craft Beer Brewery Tour by Bus with Tastings : $78
- New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With Optional Club Entrance: $84
- Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $141
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Amsterdam, 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 Amsterdam?
Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam in the Summer?
Both Amsterdam and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Amsterdam 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Amsterdam in the Autumn?
Both Amsterdam 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. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Amsterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Amsterdam. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Amsterdam 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Amsterdam in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Amsterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Amsterdam 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Amsterdam in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Amsterdam. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In the spring, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Amsterdam. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Amsterdam 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Amsterdam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.