Which place is cheaper, Madrid 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 Madrid?
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 Madrid 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 Madrid?
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.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesMadrid Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Madrid $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $189. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Madrid $91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Madrid $182
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Madrid? 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 Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Madrid $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $250
- The Top Best Tour in Stone Town and Prison Island with Transfer: $130
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $120
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $99
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kizimkazi: $99
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $99
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Matemwe: $89
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Jambiani: $89
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kendwa: $89
- Private Transfer from Kiwengwa to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
- Private Transfer from Michamvi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madrid Airport MAD Round-Trip Transfer in Private Van: $180
- Private One-Way Transfer to OR from Madrid Airport with private pick up: $69
- Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
- Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $82
- Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $61
- Arrival Transfer from Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Van: $90
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Car: $84
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Van: $91
- Arrival Transfer from Madrid MAD Airport to Madrid by Luxury Car: $93
- Departure Private Transfer from Madrid to MAD Airport by Van: $79
- Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Business Car: $90
- Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Van: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 $30Madrid $69
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 Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.35
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Ice Cream$3.52
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Kebabs (for 2)$19
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Croissant$1.76
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $60
- Local Flamenco Show with dinner at El Cortijo: $60
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $66
- Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $71
- Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid : $72
- Madrid's Authentic Culture & Food Tour by Food Lover Tour: $78
- 10 Tapas Cooking Class Experience in Madrid with Sangria: $82
- Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $84
- Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $90
- Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $102
- Flamenco Show at Tablao La Carmela with Tapas Dinner: $106
- Madrid Small Group Tapas Tour at 4 Venues -Lunch or Dinner: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Madrid $39
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dolphin tour,See food lunch ,Aquarium ,Nunqwi beach,Sunset cruse: $145
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
- Mnemba Island, Nungwi Village & Sea Turtle Experience: $160
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $120
- Stone Town Historical tour: $26
- Stone town historical walking tour with Mohamed: $30
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $25
- 3h-Zanzibar Archipelago Shared ATV Experience: $79
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $1.18
- Walking Tour of Madrid Moderno, Madrid de los Bourbons : $1.80
- Madrid Monumental Tour Retreat, Prado and Cibeles: $2.39
- Tour "Barrio de las Letras" Spanish Golden Age: $2.87
- Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.59
- Madrid Historical Walking Tour: $3.59
- Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
- Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.61
- Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.61
- Madrid Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.85
- Guided Tour of Madrid of the Austrias and the Historic Center: $4.80
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Madrid $23
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer$5.87
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
- Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $20
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
- Toledo Tour with Tapas, Wine Tasting and Optional 3 Monuments: $58
- Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $71
- New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $83
- Toledo Full Day with Winery Visit, Tapas & Wine Tasting : $83
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
- Madrid Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Food & Wine Tour : $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Madrid, 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.
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.