Which place is cheaper, Hanoi 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 Hanoi?
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 Hanoi 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 Hanoi?
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.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesHanoi Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Hanoi $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $57. 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 Hanoi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Hanoi $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Hanoi
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Hanoi? 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 Hanoi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Hanoi $6.54
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 Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.03
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Deluxe Cabin Doris Cruise 2days1night with roundtrip transfer : $250
- Luxury Halong Bay Day Tour - 6 hours cruising - Limousine transfers: $119
- Private Transfer From Hanoi to Mai Chau: $100
- 1 Day Halong Cruise Tour with Transfer and early return to Hanoi: $36
- 1 Day Tour to Halong Bay Cruise from 3 - 5 star Cruise & Transfer: $38
- 2 Days 1 night Ba Be Lake BEST ADVENTURE: transfer,homestay,boat,kayak,swim,cave: $153
- 2 Days Halong Bay With Budget Cruise - Including Transfer From Hanoi: $148
- 2-Day Halong Bay & Ninh Binh Tour With Transfer - Best Seller: $120
- 2-Day Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay With Transfer: $190
- 2-day Ha Long Bay Cruise included Transfer, Kayking and Swimming: $180
- 25 Minutes Scenic Halong Seaplane from Hanoi Transfer Expressway: $280
- Afternoon Limousine Transfer Mai Chau to Hanoi 5 hours from Mai Chau: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Hanoi?
Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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 $30Hanoi $23
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 Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.17
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Local Delicacies (3 Hours): $24
- Best Hanoi Day Street Food Tour with Real Foodie Tastings: $24
- Hanoi Food Tours: $24
- Best Seller Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $25
- Hanoi Street Food Tour - Best Price: $25
- Ninh Binh Cooking Class at Buffalo Cave: $25
- Half Day Street Food Tours in Hanoi: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Hanoi $8.07
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.65
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- (Evening) HANOI CUSTOMIZED Walking Tour: $5.00
- Vietnam Tour Package: Tailored Experiences, No Upfront Payment: $5.00
- Sightseeing Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Private Walking City Tour in Hanoi : $5.00
- Half Day Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Half-day Private Walking Tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter: $5.00
- Hanoi Old Quarter Private Daily Street Food Experience: $5.00
- Hanoi Old Quarter Half Day Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Iconic Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
- Hanoi Private Walking Tour with Egg Coffee Making Experience: $5.00
- Small-group Hanoi Highlights Weekend Walking Tour: $5.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Hanoi $7.30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Hanoi, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Hanoi is in Asia, 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 Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in Hanoi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Hanoi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Hanoi?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Hanoi, 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 Hanoi?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hanoi in the Summer?
Both Hanoi and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Hanoi. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Zanzibar is generally cooler than Hanoi. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Hanoi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Hanoi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hanoi in the Autumn?
Both Hanoi 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round.
November to April is the dry season in Hanoi. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Hanoi. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Hanoi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Hanoi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Hanoi 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hanoi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Hanoi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Hanoi. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Hanoi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Hanoi averages at about 17°C (63°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Hanoi 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hanoi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Hanoi. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.
Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Hanoi. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Hanoi. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Hanoi fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Hanoi 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Hanoi and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Hanoi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.