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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Singapore?

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 Singapore 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 Singapore?

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.

Singapore

Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.


Which place is cheaper, Singapore 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 Singapore is $179. 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 Singapore in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $26
    Singapore $101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $52
    Singapore $202
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Singapore

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Singapore? 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 Singapore


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $12
    Singapore $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Prison Island Half Day Journey With Transfers - Zanzibar: $14
  • Prison Island Excursion Half-Day Tour with Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
  • Prison Island Experience Half Day Trip With Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
  • Prison Island Adventure Half Day Tour With Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
  • Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $17
  • Prison Island Experience Half Day Tour With Transfer - Zanzibar: $18
  • Zanzibar Airport/Hotels transfer best price: $19
  • Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals: $20
  • Guided Tour of Stone Town's Historic Sites + Transfer – Zanzibar: $20
  • Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels : $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour with Transfers – Zanzibar: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:

  • 2 Day Mandai Wildlife Reserve Singapore with Roundtrip Transfer : $225
  • 7 Seater Airport / City Transfer Singapore: $68
  • Adventure Cove Waterpark + 1 Way Transfer: $66
  • Airport Transfer: $85
  • Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Car: $156
  • Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Van: $119
  • Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Business Car: $101
  • Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Luxury Car: $156
  • Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Luxury Van: $119
  • City Tour+Gardens by the Bay(FlowerDome&JurassicWorld) Transfers: $70
  • City Tour, Flyer or Marina deck, with Guide Roundtrip Transfer: $228
  • Harbourfront Cruise Center, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $215

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Singapore?

Prices for flights to both Singapore 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
    Singapore $50

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 Singapore

Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:


  • Breakfast
    $4.75
  • Sugarcane Juice
    $1.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore

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

  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $53
  • Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $54
  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $55
  • Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
  • Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
  • Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
  • Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $68
  • Guided Street Food Tour at Night: $74
  • Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $74
  • Hawker Culture Food Tour and Sightseeing: $75
  • Eat Snap Katong Walking Food Tour: $76
  • Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Singapore $34

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 Singapore

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:

  • Artoholic A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Follow the Money: A self-guided audio tour of Singapore's Financial District: $5.00
  • Science Center E-Ticket: $6.43
  • Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.51
  • The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • National Orchid Garden Admission Ticket: $7.65
  • Gardens by the Bay Bundle Entry Ticket: $7.75
  • Indian Heritage Centre Entrance Ticket: $7.75
  • Outdoor Audio Tour at Gardens by the Bay: $8.23
  • BikingSG Best of Take in the sights on a relaxed audio cycling tour: $8.31
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Singapore: $8.36
  • National Orchid Garden Entry Tickets: $8.37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.20
    Singapore $28

Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:

  • Little India Pub Crawl : $24
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $31
  • Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $39
  • Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $41
  • LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $77
  • LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $192


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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Singapore?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Singapore, 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.