Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Comoros

Accommodation

$15-35 per night

Basic guesthouses, local family-run lodges, simple rooms with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$8-20 per day

Local markets, street food, small local restaurants serving traditional Comorian dishes

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Shared taxis (taxi-brousse), local buses, walking, occasional inter-island ferries

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free beach access, hiking, local village visits, occasional budget tours

Eat at local markets and small family restaurants instead of tourist-oriented establishments (typically 60-70% cheaper)

Use shared taxis and local buses rather than private transport (usually 70-80% savings)

Stay in local guesthouses run by Comorian families rather than international-style hotels (generally 40-60% less expensive)

Book inter-island travel by ferry instead of domestic flights when time permits (typically 50-70% cheaper)

Purchase fresh produce and snacks from local markets for breakfast and lunch (usually saves $15-30 per day)

Travel during shoulder seasons to avoid peak pricing (generally 20-35% lower costs)

Negotiate prices for tours and activities, especially for multi-day packages (potential 15-25% savings)

Relying solely on hotel restaurants and tourist areas for meals (typically costs 100-200% more than local options)

Not carrying enough cash - ATMs are limited and card acceptance is minimal outside major hotels (can lead to expensive emergency transfers)

Booking last-minute accommodation during peak season without alternatives (often results in 50-100% price premiums)

Underestimating inter-island transport costs and time - flights and ferries can be expensive and infrequent (budget at least $50-150 per island transfer)