Travel Costs for Your Trip to Zanzibar
When planning your vacation to Zanzibar, your total expenses will depend on individual choices as well as standard entry and local government fees. Below is an overview of what to budget for.
Variable Costs: Flights & Accommodation
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Airfare: Flight prices vary significantly depending on your departure location, chosen airline, comfort level (Economy, Premium, or Business Class), route/layovers, and the season of travel (high season vs. low season). Because prices fluctuate continuously, flights are not included in fixed estimates and must be researched individually by each traveler.
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Accommodation & Dining: Accommodation choices range from budget guesthouses to luxury 5-star beachfront resorts. Daily expenses for food, drinks, and activities depend entirely on your personal travel style.
Mandatory Government Fees & Official Regulations
In addition to your individual travel choices, the following fixed and category-based fees apply when traveling to Zanzibar:
- Tourist Entry Visa (Tanzania / Zanzibar):
– US Citizens: $100 USD (Multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year).
– Most Other Foreign Nationals (e.g., European Union, UK): $50 USD (Single-entry tourist visa valid for up to 90 days).
Note: Visas can be applied for online via the official e-Visa portal prior to departure or obtained upon arrival at the airport. -
Mandatory Inbound Zanzibar Travel Insurance:
– Cost: $44 USD per adult (discounts apply for children; infants under 2 are free).
Note: The Zanzibar Government mandates that all foreign visitors hold official inbound travel insurance issued by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), regardless of whether you already have private international travel insurance. - Infrastructure Tax (Hotel Tax):
– Cost: Ranging from $2 USD to $5 USD+ per person, per night, tied directly to the official star rating of your accommodation (e.g., $2 USD for budget/1-star hotels, up to $5 USD or more for 4- and 5-star resorts). In some rare cases as of underwater rooms or special zones $10 USD do apply.
Note: While some hotels include this tax in their room rates, many properties collect it directly from guests upon check-in or check-out.