Which place is cheaper, Kingston 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 Kingston?
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 Kingston 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 Kingston?
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.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Kingston $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Kingston $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Kingston? 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 Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Kingston $28
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 Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
- Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $70
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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 $30Kingston $44
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 $13Kingston $12
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 Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Kingston $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Kingston, we can see that Kingston 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 Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston 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 Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
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 Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston 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 Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Kingston. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
Zanzibar is cooler than Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston 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 Kingston year-round.
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Kingston. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Kingston. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Kingston. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 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.