Zanzibar on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Zanzibar on a budget is possible at about US$60 per person per day sharing a room, by staying in guesthouses, eating local and using dala-dalas. Excursions and resort stays are what make it expensive.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$25 | US$80 | US$300 |
| Food & drink | US$15 | US$35 | US$80 |
| Sights & tickets | US$15 | US$40 | US$90 |
| Local transport | US$5 | US$20 | US$50 |
| Per person, per day | US$60 | US$175 | US$520 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Zanzibar day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking Stone Town's alleys and carved Zanzibari doors
- The Forodhani Gardens waterfront at sunset
- Darajani market (browsing)
- Low tide walks on the east coast flats at Paje and Jambiani
- Swimming at Nungwi and Kendwa beaches
- Watching the dhows sail at Nungwi
Cheap eats
- Zanzibar pizza at Forodhani: about US$2–4
- Chapati and chai: about US$1–2
- Pilau or biryani in a local restaurant: about US$3–6
- Mandazi (fried dough) for breakfast: well under US$1
- Fresh fruit and sugarcane juice: about US$1–2
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Stone Town guesthouses or bungalows in Paje, at about US$40–80 a double (around US$25 per person sharing). Hostels in Paje and Stone Town have dorm beds from roughly US$12–25.
Getting around cheaply
Dala-dalas (shared minibuses) from Darajani connect Stone Town with most beaches cheaply but slowly. Shared taxis or transfers split between travellers are the next cheapest. The airport is 15 minutes from Stone Town.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Stone Town walk and Darajani market (free)
- Lunch: pilau in a local restaurant (about US$5)
- Afternoon: rooftop café and the Slave Market memorial (small fee)
- Evening: Zanzibar pizza and grilled skewers at Forodhani
- Total: about US$60 including a shared budget room
More ways to save
- Carry small Tanzanian shilling notes.
- Share taxis and tours with other travellers.
- Buy bottled water in shops, not hotels.
- Combine the spice farm and Prison Island in one day.
- Stay longer in one place to negotiate better rates.
- Budget for the visa and mandatory insurance before you go.
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Common questions
Can you visit Zanzibar on a budget?
Yes, at about US$60 a day per person sharing a guesthouse room, eating local and using dala-dalas.
What is the cheapest way to get around Zanzibar?
Dala-dalas from Darajani in Stone Town, which are cheap but slow and crowded.
Is the Forodhani night market cheap?
It can be, but agree prices first, as tourist prices are often inflated.