Zanzibar on a Budget: How to Travel for $40-60 Per Day
Zanzibar has a reputation as an expensive island destination — and the luxury resorts on the north and east coasts can certainly drain a budget. But the island is entirely accessible to budget travellers. Stone Town guesthouses cost $20-35, local food runs $2-5 per meal, and the dala dala minibus system connects every village on the island for under a dollar.
The key is staying in Stone Town rather than the beach resorts, eating where locals eat, and using public transport. A comfortable daily budget of $40-60 covers accommodation, three meals, transport, and one activity.
Accommodation: $15-35 Per Night
Dormitory beds in Stone Town hostels cost $10-15 per night. Zenji Hotel and Lost & Found Hostel are the most popular backpacker options with clean dorms, common areas, and helpful staff. Private rooms in Stone Town guesthouses cost $20-35 per night — significantly cheaper than beach-area accommodation where comparable rooms start at $50-80.
Stay in Stone Town and day-trip to the beaches. A dala dala to Nungwi or Paje costs TZS 3,000-5,000 ($1.20-2) each way, which is far cheaper than the $30-50 premium you pay per night for beachside accommodation. The best-value guesthouses are in the Vuga and Malindi areas of Stone Town — a few minutes' walk from the waterfront but quieter and 20-30% cheaper than properties on the main tourist streets.
For longer stays (a week or more), negotiate directly with guesthouse owners for discounts of 15-25%. Walk in, inspect the room, and ask for the weekly rate — this is standard practice and expected. Booking platforms add 15-20% in commissions that guesthouses pass on to online prices.
Food: $5-10 Per Day
Breakfast at a local cafe — mandazi (fried dough), chai, and a hard-boiled egg — costs TZS 2,000-3,000 ($0.80-1.20). The Darajani market area has the best breakfast stalls, operating from 6:00 AM. A chapati with beans (chapati na maharage) is filling and costs TZS 1,500-2,000 ($0.60-0.80).
Lunch at a local canteen (mama ntilie) costs TZS 3,000-8,000 ($1.20-3.20) for a plate of pilau or biryani with a side dish. Lukmaan restaurant on Hurumzi Street is the best-known option, but dozens of smaller canteens throughout Stone Town serve similar food at equal or lower prices. Look for the places with queues of local workers at lunchtime.
Dinner at Forodhani Gardens night market is the budget traveller's best option — a full meal of Zanzibar pizza, grilled seafood, and a juice for TZS 8,000-15,000 ($3.20-6). This is cheaper than most sit-down restaurants and the food is arguably better. Even eating at Forodhani every night, your daily food budget stays under $10.
Transport: $1-5 Per Day
Dala dalas are Zanzibar's public minibuses — converted pickup trucks with bench seats in the back. They connect Stone Town to every major destination on the island. The fare is distance-based: Stone Town to Nungwi (60km) costs TZS 3,000-5,000 ($1.20-2), Stone Town to Paje (50km) costs TZS 3,000 ($1.20), Stone Town to Jozani Forest (35km) costs TZS 2,000 ($0.80).
Dala dalas depart from the main terminal near Darajani market. They leave when full, not on a schedule — waits of 15-45 minutes are normal. The ride is cramped, slow, and colourful. It is the way Zanzibaris travel and by far the cheapest transport option. Journeys take roughly twice as long as a private taxi.
Within Stone Town, everything is walkable. The old town is roughly 1 square kilometre. A bicycle rental costs TZS 10,000-15,000 ($4-6) per day and is useful for reaching beaches south of Stone Town. Taxis from the airport to Stone Town cost TZS 20,000-25,000 ($8-10) — agree on the price before getting in.
Activities & Entry Fees
Many of Zanzibar's best experiences are cheap or free. Walking Stone Town's alleys costs nothing. The Old Fort is free. Forodhani night market is free to browse. Beaches are free. The most expensive standard activity is the Mnemba Atoll snorkeling trip at TZS 25,000-40,000 ($10-16) per person.
| Expense | Cost (TZS) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed (Stone Town) | TZS 25,000-37,500 | $10-15 |
| Guesthouse (private room) | TZS 50,000-87,500 | $20-35 |
| Breakfast (local cafe) | TZS 2,000-3,000 | $0.80-1.20 |
| Lunch (mama ntilie) | TZS 3,000-8,000 | $1.20-3.20 |
| Dinner (Forodhani market) | TZS 8,000-15,000 | $3.20-6 |
| Water (1.5L x 2) | TZS 1,000-2,000 | $0.40-0.80 |
| Dala dala (one trip) | TZS 500-5,000 | $0.20-2 |
| Jozani Forest entry | TZS 18,000 | $7.20 |
| Anglican Cathedral / Slave Museum | TZS 10,000 | $4 |
| Spice tour | TZS 25,000-40,000 | $10-16 |
| Mnemba snorkeling | TZS 25,000-40,000 | $10-16 |
| Daily total (dorm) | TZS 65,000-100,000 | $26-40 |
| Daily total (private room) | TZS 90,000-150,000 | $36-60 |
Money & Banking
The Tanzanian shilling (TZS) is the local currency. The approximate exchange rate is TZS 2,500 per US dollar. ATMs are available in Stone Town — NBC, CRDB, and People's Bank of Zanzibar are the most reliable. Maximum withdrawal is typically TZS 400,000-500,000 ($160-200) per transaction with fees of TZS 5,000-10,000 ($2-4).
US dollars are widely accepted for accommodation, tours, and higher-priced items. Many guesthouses quote in dollars and prefer dollar payment. Carry small bills ($1, $5, $10) — change for large bills is often unavailable. US dollar bills must be 2009 series or newer — older bills are routinely rejected across Tanzania.
Biggest Budget Traps
Tour prices vary by 50-100% depending on where you book. A spice tour booked through a hotel costs TZS 50,000-80,000 ($20-32); the same tour from operators near the Old Fort costs TZS 25,000-40,000 ($10-16). Always compare at least three operators. Ask what is included — transport, lunch, and guide fees should be standard.
The beach areas (Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje) are significantly more expensive than Stone Town for everything — accommodation, food, and activities. A meal that costs TZS 5,000 in Stone Town costs TZS 15,000-25,000 at a beach restaurant. Unless beach access is your primary goal, base yourself in Stone Town and take day trips.
Free & Cheap Activities
Walk Stone Town's alleys and photograph the carved doors — free. Watch sunset from Forodhani Gardens waterfront — free. Swim at any public beach — free. Visit the Old Fort courtyard — free. Browse the Darajani market — free. Climb to a rooftop bar for the view (order a juice for TZS 2,000-3,000 / $0.80-1.20) — effectively free.
The cheapest beach day trip is to Changu (Prison Island) via the public ferry from Stone Town — the negotiated boat fare is around TZS 15,000-20,000 ($6-8) return. The island has a beach, snorkeling from shore, and giant Aldabra tortoises. Pack your own lunch and water to keep costs minimal.
Zanzibar on a budget is not about deprivation — it is about choosing the local experience over the resort experience. The best food is at the night market. The best transport stories come from the dala dala. The best accommodation has rooftop views and hand-carved doors, not infinity pools. Spend $40-60 per day and see the real island.
Zanzibar Food Guide → First Time in Zanzibar →
