Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas?
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.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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 PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Saint Thomas? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Saint Thomas $37
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 Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 $30Saint Thomas $94
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Saint Thomas $60
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 Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Saint Thomas?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomas. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Zanzibar is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Saint Thomas. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.