Cost of Living in Harare
How much does it cost to visit Harare? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Frank McKenna / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
ZWL 700
per day
Weekly: ZWL 4900
Monthly: ZWL 21000
Examples
- 🏨New Ambassador Hotel (basic room)ZWL 200
- 🍽️Local market food stall (sadza and stew)ZWL 50
- 🚌Zupco bus fares around the cityZWL 100
- 🎟️Visit to Domboshawa Caves (transport included in bus fare)ZWL 150
- 🎟️Explore Harare GardensZWL 0
- 🍽️Street food snacks and bottled waterZWL 100
- 🚌Short taxi rides for convenienceZWL 100
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
ZWL 1500
per day
Weekly: ZWL 10500
Monthly: ZWL 45000
Examples
- 🏨Holiday Inn Harare (standard room)ZWL 600
- 🍽️Lunch at The Spice Lounge (Indian cuisine)ZWL 300
- 🚌Metered taxi for a day of sightseeingZWL 400
- 🎟️Visit to National Gallery of ZimbabweZWL 100
- 🎟️Explore Chapungu Sculpture ParkZWL 100
- 🍽️Dinner at Amanzi Restaurant (various cuisines)ZWL 500
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
ZWL 3000
per day
Weekly: ZWL 21000
Monthly: ZWL 90000
Examples
- 🏨Meikles Hotel (deluxe room)ZWL 1500
- 🍽️Fine dining lunch at The Dining Room, Meikles HotelZWL 800
- 🚌Private chauffeur driven car for the dayZWL 1000
- 🎟️Guided tour of Manyame River (boat trip and wildlife viewing)ZWL 400
- 🎟️Spa treatment at The Royal Senses SpaZWL 500
- 🍽️Gourmet dinner and wine pairing at La Rouge RestaurantZWL 700
Cost by Category
accommodation
200-600 ZWL (hostel/budget hotel)
food
300-700 ZWL (local eateries/mid-range restaurants)
Transport
100-300 ZWL (combining taxis/minibuses)
activities
100-400 ZWL (museums, entrance fees)
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale | Mid-range | slightly above | foodies, culture |
| Belgravia | Luxury | above | luxury, families |
| Mount Pleasant | Luxury | above | families, digital nomads |
| City Centre | Budget | center | first-timers, budget |
Money-Saving Tips for Harare
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Harare Costs
How much does it cost to visit Harare?
Budget travellers can visit Harare for around ZWL 700/day (ZWL 4900/week). Mid-range travellers should budget ZWL 1500/day, while luxury travel costs around ZWL 3000/day.
Is Harare expensive?
Harare is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least ZWL 700/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Harare?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Harare, budget ZWL 1500/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Harare?
Budget travellers in Harare can get by on ZWL 700/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.