Is Réunion or Zanzibar cheaper?

Zanzibar is the cheaper of the two: roughly $65–130/day in Réunion versus $35–130/day in Zanzibar.

When is the best time to visit Réunion vs Zanzibar?

Réunion is at its best in May–October; Zanzibar peaks in June–October, January, February.

Is Réunion or Zanzibar better in August?

Neither has a clear edge in August — they score the same that month. Réunion has the edge in March, April, May, Zanzibar in January, February, December, and both are at their best in June, July, August, September, October.

How long do you need in Réunion vs Zanzibar?

Plan 1–1 weeks for Réunion and 1–1 for Zanzibar.

Should I choose Réunion or Zanzibar?

Pick Réunion if you want somewhere stronger for nature, adventure, more urban / city-focused, more off-the-beaten-path. Pick Zanzibar if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for beach. Both deliver on food, so on those either works.

Réunion vs Zanzibar

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Indian Ocean

Réunion

The Indian Ocean’s answer to Hawaii — an active volcano, roadless canyons, and world-class hiking, on French soil.

Best time to visit

January: avoid
February: avoid
March: fine
April: fine
May: peak
June: peak
July: peak
August: peak
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: avoid

Peak Fine Avoid

Indian Ocean

Zanzibar

The classic wind-down after a Tanzanian safari — beaches, spice, and a Swahili trading city.

Best time to visit

January: peak
February: peak
March: avoid
April: avoid
May: avoid
June: peak
July: peak
August: peak
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Réunion and Zanzibar.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Réunion	Zanzibar
Best time	May–October	June–October, January, February
Climate	warm	warm
Budget	Mid-range · $65–130/day	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day
Trip length	1–1 wks	1–1 wks
Visa	France (Schengen rules apply) — visa-free for most Western passports. Verify before travel.	Visa required for most passports; available on arrival or as an e-visa. Verify before travel.
Currency	EUR (€).	TZS (Tanzanian Shilling). USD common for tours.
Language	French and Réunion Creole; limited English.	Swahili and English.
Tap water	Tap water is generally safe in populated areas.	Stick to bottled or filtered water.
Safety	Very safe on land; heed shark warnings and swim only in the protected lagoon areas.	Safe with normal precautions. Note it is a conservative Muslim society — dress modestly away from the beach.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Réunion or Zanzibar, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Réunion if:

You want somewhere stronger for nature, adventure.
You want somewhere more urban / city-focused.
You want somewhere more off-the-beaten-path.

Choose Zanzibar if:

You want somewhere cheaper across the board.
You want somewhere stronger for beach.

Both deliver on food — so on those dimensions either works.

Common questions

Is Réunion or Zanzibar cheaper?: Zanzibar is the cheaper of the two: roughly $65–130/day in Réunion versus $35–130/day in Zanzibar.
When is the best time to visit Réunion vs Zanzibar?: Réunion is at its best in May–October; Zanzibar peaks in June–October, January, February.
Is Réunion or Zanzibar better in August?: Neither has a clear edge in August — they score the same that month. Réunion has the edge in March, April, May, Zanzibar in January, February, December, and both are at their best in June, July, August, September, October.
How long do you need in Réunion vs Zanzibar?: Plan 1–1 weeks for Réunion and 1–1 for Zanzibar.
Should I choose Réunion or Zanzibar?: Pick Réunion if you want somewhere stronger for nature, adventure, more urban / city-focused, more off-the-beaten-path. Pick Zanzibar if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for beach. Both deliver on food, so on those either works.