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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Paris?

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 Paris 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 Paris?

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.

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Paris 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 Paris is $311. 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 Paris in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $26
    Paris $180
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $52
    Paris $360
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Paris

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Paris? 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 Paris


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 Paris Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Paris $25

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
  • Private Return Transfer From Zanzibar Airport To Paje: $140
  • 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 Bwejuu to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

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


  • Metro
    $7.51
  • Train from Airport
    $11
  • Metro tickets
    $7.98
  • Train
    $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bus Transfer : Paris to the Palace of Versailles Round-Trip : $48
  • One Way Private Transfer to Louvre Musuem: $89
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer for 1 to 3 Persons in Paris: $214
  • Private Transfer from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport: $92
  • Private transfer from Beauvais airport to Paris or back: $292
  • 1 Way Private Transfer from Your Paris Hotel to Versailles Palace: $94
  • Airport Transfer Paris - Disneyland - Minivan 1-8 Passengers: $143
  • Airport Transfer at Paris (Mercedes E), From/to Paris-CDG: $216
  • Airport Transfer: Paris City to Paris Airport CDG by Business Car: $112
  • Airport Transfer: Paris City to Paris Airport CDG by Luxury EQS: $165
  • Airport transfer CDG - Paris | Driver Professional: $189
  • Airport transfer from Paris to Disneyland Paris/Parc Asterix (8pax): $237

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Paris?

Prices for flights to both Paris 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
    Paris $85

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 Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    $9.39
  • Breakfast
    $8.21
  • Breakfast for 2
    $35
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    $101
  • Dinner
    $67
  • Cheese
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $65
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $68
  • Paris Seine River dinner cruise from Alexandre III bridge: $70
  • Paris Prestige Dinner Cruise from Eiffel Tower Area: $74
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $77
  • Paris Vegan Street Food Tour: $77
  • Paris Food Tour: $82
  • Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien: $84
  • #1 Montmartre Pastries & Chocolate Food Tour with 6+ Tastings: $89
  • Champagne & Oysters Paris Food Tour: $96
  • Dinner Paris by Night EN Bus Panoramic: $101
  • Amazing Sweet Crêpe Cooking Class Paris: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Paris $89

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    $21
  • Admission to Pantheon
    $5.87
  • Catacombs (2)
    $27

Tours and Activities in Paris

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.

  • Paris Hidden Gems: Self Guided Secret Spots Tour: $0.57
  • Paris Montmartre Free Walking Tour in English : $2.86
  • Paris - Free Walking Tour in English (Tip-Based): $3.56
  • Paris - Latin Quarter Free Tour in English (Tip-Based): $3.56
  • Paris Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.57
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Paris: $3.59
  • Central Paris Highlights Walking Tour: $4.76
  • Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.76
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Paris: $4.80
  • Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.36
  • Paris (Marais District) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $5.77
  • Paris (Montmartre) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.20
    Paris $29

Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Original Paris Pub Crawl : $24
  • Paris Nation wine tasting: $46
  • Paris St Germain Wine Tasting: $46
  • Vegan Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise: $54
  • Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise & l'Atelier des lumières: $54
  • Wine tasting Paris Saint Germain des Pres: $56
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex: $58
  • Natural Wine Tasting with Cheese Pairings in Paris: $72
  • French Wine Tasting and Pairing Experience in Montmartre: $90
  • The only Paris Wine Tasting experience you need to do - 2 hours : $95
  • Left Bank Gastronomy & Wine tour with a Culinary School : $113
  • Walk & Wine Tour in the Latin Quarter: $118


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Paris, we can see that Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Paris, 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 Paris?

Paris 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 Paris in the Summer?

Both Paris and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Paris in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Paris. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Paris averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Paris, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Paris. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Paris. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Paris 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Paris in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Paris. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, most visitors come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Paris fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Paris during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Paris. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Paris 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Paris in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Paris. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Paris because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Paris can be very cold. Zanzibar is much warmer than Paris in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Paris. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Paris. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Paris 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Paris in the Spring?

Both Paris and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

In the spring, Zanzibar is much warmer than Paris. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Paris averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Paris during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Paris. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Paris 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Paris and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Paris
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)