Budget · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Zanzibar on a budget
What a trip to Zanzibar really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Moongateclimber, Public domain
Quick answer
Zanzibar is moderately priced for most international visitors. Budget roughly $45–$80 per person per day on a tight budget, $120–$250 mid-range and $400–$1,200 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in April–May.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $45–$80 a day
- Mid-range
- $120–$250 a day
- Luxury
- $400–$1,200 a day
- Local currency
- TZS
- Free sights
- 3
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $45–$80 | $135–$240 | $225–$400 | $315–$560 |
| Mid-range | $120–$250 | $360–$750 | $600–$1,250 | $840–$1,750 |
| Luxury | $400–$1,200 | $1,200–$3,600 | $2,000–$6,000 | $2,800–$8,400 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in Zanzibar, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Zanzibar pizza at Forodhani | about TZS 5,000–10,000 |
| Dala-dala ride | about TZS 1,000–3,000 |
| Local lunch of pilau or biryani | about TZS 8,000–15,000 |
| Taxi from the airport to Stone Town | about $15–$25 |
| Transfer from Stone Town to Nungwi or Paje | about $40–$60 |
| Half-day spice tour | about $20–$40 per person |
| Beer in a beach bar | about TZS 5,000–8,000 |
Money-saving tips
- Carry cash: ATMs are mostly in Stone Town and a few beach villages, and many small places do not take cards.
- Compare prices in US dollars and shillings; paying in shillings is often cheaper at local businesses.
- Eat at local restaurants and the night market rather than in hotels for a fraction of the cost.
- Share boat trips and taxis with other travellers to split costs.
- Visit in November or early June for lower rates outside the main rains.
Free things to do
- Stone Town — Listed by UNESCO in 2000, Stone Town is a densely built Swahili trading town of coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors, balconies and shaded lanes, shaped by Arab, Persian, Indian, African and European influences.
- Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) — Built by the Omanis around 1700 on the site of a Portuguese church, the fort's thick walls now enclose craft shops, a café and an open-air amphitheatre used for performances and festivals.
- Darajani Market — Stone Town's main market on Creek Road sells fish, meat, tropical fruit, vegetables and spices in a covered hall and surrounding streets, and is the terminus for many dala-dala minibuses.
Where to stay on a budget
$$ · Best for solo travellers, budget, nightlife and beach
Paje
East-coast kitesurfing hub with a shallow lagoon and laid-back bars
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and couples
Jambiani
A long fishing village of seaweed farms and quiet guesthouses
Eating well for less
- Zanzibar pizza — Forodhani Gardens night market and street stalls in Stone Town.
- Urojo — Specialist urojo stalls in Stone Town, mainly in the afternoon and evening.
- Mishkaki — Forodhani Gardens and street grills in Stone Town and the beach villages.
- Chipsi mayai — Street stalls and local cafés across the island.
- Mandazi — Morning stalls, bakeries and village cafés.
Getting around for less
Stone Town is explored on foot, while the beaches are 1–1.5 hours away by road. Most visitors use private transfers or taxis between areas; dala-dala minibuses are the low-cost local option, and ferries link Stone Town with Dar es Salaam.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to Zanzibar cost?
About $600–$1,250 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $225–$400 on a tight budget.
+Is Zanzibar expensive?
It is moderately priced for international visitors. Carry cash: ATMs are mostly in Stone Town and a few beach villages, and many small places do not take cards.
+How much money do I need per day in Zanzibar?
Roughly $45–$80 on a budget and $120–$250 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Zanzibar?
Usually in April–May.