A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Ouarzazate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Ouarzazate?

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 Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate?

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.

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $60. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $26
    Ouarzazate $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $52
    Ouarzazate $48
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Ouarzazate? 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Ouarzazate


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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Ouarzazate $3.76

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 Ouarzazate

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zanzibar $30
    Ouarzazate $31

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 Ouarzazate

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.

  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Ouarzazate $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
  • Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Green Tour Park Experience: $20
  • Stone Town Historical & Cultural Walking Adventure – Zanzibar: $20
  • Stone Town Tour, Historical & Cultural Landmarks in - Zanzibar: $24
  • Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $24
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33
  • Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $42
  • Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
  • Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
  • Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
  • 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $119
  • Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173
  • Private tour Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate. Lunch included.: $178

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.20
    Ouarzazate -


When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Ouarzazate, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Ouarzazate?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Ouarzazate, 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.