Zanzibar City Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Jan 2024

Zanzibar City is the economic and government capital of the Zanzibar Archipelago. The city is divided into two sections, Stone Town and Ng’ambo. Ng’ambo is the newer area focused on economics and growth. Stone Town is the center of all tourism in the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unless you are visiting on business, you will likely not find a reason to visit Ng’ambo.

Zanzibar City City Featured Image

Travel Costs to Zanzibar City

Population 200,000
Area 1,300,000
Timezone UTC+3
Currency Tanzanian Shilling
Airports Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$34.66
1 USD = 2,552.0000 TZS
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in Zanzibar City

Zanzibar City Hotel Seasons

Zanzibar City Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar21.91 - 26.30
starstarstarstarstar70.13 - 71.00
starstarstarstarstar59.61 - 80.64
starstarstarstarstar76.26 - 120.97
starstarstarstarstar199.86 - 388.32

Zanzibar City Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed14.03 - 21.91

Zanzibar City Attractions Prices

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Palace MuseumExhibits all focus on the family of the Sultan who ruled Oman and Zanzibar in the 18th Century. The museum is shabby but shows a unique view of royalty
Adults
Children
2.35
0.90
The Old FortHeavy stone fortress built in the 17th century, now filled with workshops to visit, artist vendors and small food kiosks. There is also an area for concerts of local music most evenings (for a small fee).
Everyone
0.00
Forodhani GardensLocated at the waterfront, this is an evening market celebrating seafood and traditional Zanzibari fare.
Everyone
0.00
Changuu Island/ Prison IslandA beautiful island just off the coast of Stone Town with a large colony of Aldabra giant tortoises that is worth a ½ day tour
Adults
3.92

Zanzibar City Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastAlmost all hotels will include breakfast in the price of the room. If not, local stalls and small cafes have cheap and simple breakfast options1.57 - 2.35
Budget lunchStreet vendors and small local cafes cater to both local residents and tourists. Ordering seafood increases the price drastically2.16 - 4.31
Budget dinnerSmaller, local restaurants offer daily “specials” depending on what they were able to purchase. Always delicious and normally the cheapest option2.94 - 5.88
Beer .5LMost East African beer is sold in .5L bottles. Because of the Muslim culture on the island, many local restaurants and hotels will not sell alcohol1.41 - 2.16
Beer .5L (retail)If your hotel doesn’t sell alcohol, you can purchase beer from many smaller shops in town. You may have to put a deposit down on the bottle0.86
Soda and waterTap water isn’t safe to drink, but you can easily buy water and sodas at any small shop0.78 - 1.96
Konyagi .5L bottleBy far the cheapest alcohol in town, this local spirit tastes most like cheap gin and can be purchased at every shop and restaurant that sells alcohol0.94 - 2.35

Zanzibar City Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from airport to city center16.85 - 19.59
Public bus from airport to city center0.16 - 0.20
3-km taxi ride in Zanzibar Town1.25 - 2.51
Dala Dala0.78

Getting around Zanzibar City

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When to visit Zanzibar City

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January90762.3
February91762.6
March91775.8
April867712.6
May847511.4
June83742.1
July82721.1
August83721.2
September84721.6
October86732.6
November89756.7
December89765.5

Zanzibar City Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar6:27am6:34pm
21 Jun6:32am6:18pm
21 Sep6:13am6:19pm
21 Dec6:07am6:36pm

Where to go before and after