Facts & prices checked: 2026-07-19
Getting to Zanzibar is straightforward once you pick your gateway. The island’s airport, Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), sits about 6 km south of Stone Town and handles direct international flights as well as short hops from the mainland.
Direct international flights to Zanzibar
Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) had direct flights from 35 airports worldwide as of June 2026, according to FlightConnections — a genuinely international network for an island of under two million people, and one most travellers underestimate. Here is exactly who flies where, and how often.
From Europe: Condor (Frankfurt, FRA) is the only true year-round nonstop from continental Europe — flight DE2282, three times weekly on an Airbus A330-900neo. For the 29 March–23 October 2026 season it departs Frankfurt 19:45 and lands in Zanzibar 05:50 the next morning, a 9h05m nonstop; a schedule change from 25 October 2026 shifts departure to 19:50 with a noticeably longer routing (arrival around 07:00, roughly 11h10m) — check which schedule applies to your travel dates. The return leg still makes a brief stop in Mombasa, so it is nonstop outbound but not fully nonstop round-trip. Economy fares start around €210–290 one-way. This route launched in November 2025 and remains the single most useful direct option for German, Austrian, and Swiss travellers — other Lufthansa Group brands (Discover Airlines, and Lufthansa itself on some schedules) also sell Frankfurt–Zanzibar tickets, though it isn’t always clear from published schedules whether every one of those is a genuine separate nonstop or a codeshare on the same Condor flight — confirm the actual operating carrier before booking if it matters to you. No other European carrier currently operates a confirmed nonstop to ZNZ. From the UK, expect 12 to 17 hours with at least one stop (commonly via Doha, Nairobi, or Amsterdam) — there is no direct UK–Zanzibar service.
From the Middle East: Oman Air (Muscat, MCT) is the only airline flying nonstop Muscat–Zanzibar — twice weekly, about 5h15m. flydubai and Air Tanzania (Dubai, DXB) both fly nonstop, roughly 5h20–30m. Qatar Airways (Doha, DOH) has historically been the highest-frequency Gulf connection (previously near-daily). It suspended Zanzibar service, along with dozens of other destinations, as a consequence of a 2026 Middle East conflict that closed or restricted Gulf airspace and pushed up jet fuel costs — with a stated resumption target of June 2026 on the airline’s own placeholder schedules. Whether it actually resumed on that date, rather than slipping (which the airline itself flagged as possible), isn’t independently confirmed at the time of writing — check Qatar Airways’ own booking engine directly before assuming this route is currently flying. Emirates’ own aircraft do reach Zanzibar, just not as a point-to-point nonstop from Dubai. Alongside its main Dubai–Dar es Salaam service (EK725/726, Boeing 777-300ER, close to daily, about 5 hours), Emirates runs a daily tag flight — EK2191 — that departs Dar es Salaam, makes a same-aircraft stop at Zanzibar, then continues on to Dubai. It’s a genuine way to fly Emirates out of Zanzibar, just not a dedicated Dubai–Zanzibar route. If Zanzibar is your actual destination from Dubai, book the flydubai/Air Tanzania nonstop above instead.
From East Africa (the practical way in for most travellers): Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa, ADD) flies nonstop, about 2h35–40m, close to daily. Turkish Airlines (Istanbul, IST) serves Zanzibar as part of a triangle routing — Istanbul–Kilimanjaro–Zanzibar–Istanbul — roughly 10 times weekly, stepping up to an 11th weekly frequency each northern-hemisphere summer (confirmed for June 1–September 13, 2026); it is not a daily, year-round service despite how it’s sometimes advertised. Kenya Airways (Nairobi, NBO) flies nonstop daily on weekdays, about 1h20–30m; Precision Air covers the same route around five days a week, about 1h40m, on an ATR 72. Air Tanzania runs the busiest single network into ZNZ — nonstop from Dar es Salaam (14+ weekly), Nairobi, Dubai, and — new for 2025 — Johannesburg (from 10 June 2025) and Moscow. RwandAir (Kigali, KGL) launched its first-ever Zanzibar service on 1 December 2025, four times weekly on a Boeing 737; the same flight continues on to Mombasa, but that onward leg is not itself nonstop from Kigali since it stops at Zanzibar first.
Just announced, not yet flying: EgyptAir (Cairo, CAI) is filed to launch 4 September 2026, twice weekly, stepping to three times weekly from 16 December 2026 — its first-ever scheduled Zanzibar service.
The honest headline: there are no direct flights from the United States, Canada, or anywhere in North America to Zanzibar or mainland Tanzania — every routing connects through Istanbul, Amsterdam, Doha, Addis Ababa, or Dubai. If a flight search shows a “direct” option from a North American or UK city, it is almost always a codeshare with a change of aircraft somewhere along the way, not a true nonstop.
One practical note on the airport: ZNZ is small and processes flights sequentially. When two international arrivals land within the same 45-minute window — common with the growing schedule above — the immigration hall backs up fast. If you can arrange to land at an off-peak time, do so. Have your eVisa approval, Zanzibar ZIC insurance confirmation, and return flight evidence out before you reach the queue.
Via Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is the main mainland hub and handles far more international connections than ZNZ. For most travellers routing through Dar, there are two ways onto the island.
Fly from Dar to Zanzibar. The hop takes about 20 minutes on Precision Air or Air Tanzania. It is the simplest connection and feels almost absurd — you barely reach cruising altitude. Book your Dar-to-ZNZ domestic leg at the same time as your international flight, not separately, so that delays on one leg affect the connection in an orderly way.
Take the ferry from Dar to Stone Town. Fast ferries (Azam Marine, Coastal Aviation’s ferry service) cross in about 2 hours when conditions are good. Buy tickets in advance in peak season; demand is real and the ticket hall in Dar can be chaotic. Use a reputable operator, travel in daylight, and choose the earlier departure if you can — afternoon crossings catch more weather and more chop. The ferry arrives at Malindi Wharf in Stone Town, from where you can take a taxi directly to your hotel or onward to the coast.
The ferry suits travellers who want to see more of the east African coast and have flexibility. It does not suit anyone with a tight connection or who is travelling in the long-rains season (April-May).
If you’re routing through Dar anyway and have an extra day or two before crossing to the island, it’s worth knowing there’s no direct boat or flight from Zanzibar itself — but Tanzania’s only national park with a beach inside it sits roughly four hours up the coast by road from Dar. It’s a genuine way to add a short wildlife stop to a Zanzibar-bound trip without the usual detour through the northern circuit.
Via Nairobi
Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is a major East African hub with strong connections from Europe, North America, and the Gulf, and it is often the easiest gateway into the region precisely because it has so many international direct flights of its own. If your airline routes you through Nairobi, or if you are starting or ending with a Kenya safari, Kenya Airways flies nonstop NBO–ZNZ daily on weekdays (about 1h20–30m) and Precision Air covers the same route around five days a week (about 1h40m). RwandAir also connects Nairobi’s Kigali hub onward to Zanzibar, useful if a Rwanda gorilla-trekking add-on is part of your trip.
Coming from Nairobi, check whether you need a Tanzania visa before boarding — most nationalities do. The eVisa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, so sort it before you fly NBO-ZNZ.
From the Serengeti: the bush-to-beach connection
This is the part most island-only guides skip, but it is the connection that makes the classic Tanzania trip work. After a northern circuit safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire), you do not drive back to Arusha and then fly south. You fly directly.
Light aircraft connect the Serengeti airstrips (Seronera, Fort Ikoma, Grumeti, Kogatende) to Arusha’s Wilson-equivalent strips, and from Arusha you pick up an onward flight to ZNZ, sometimes via Dar. Some itineraries fly Seronera directly to Dar with a short transit before the ZNZ hop. Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Regional Air are the main operators.
Total travel time, Serengeti to east-coast beach: allow a full day. You might leave a Serengeti camp at 07:30, land in Arusha by 09:00, connect through Dar by early afternoon, and reach ZNZ by 14:00-15:00. Your east-coast transfer then runs 1h15. It is a travel day, not a lost day, and it beats a 9-hour road journey back to Arusha by a distance.
The 15 kg bag limit on light aircraft is the constraint that catches people out. Everything on the safari leg must go in a soft duffel of 15 kg or less — hard-shell suitcases will not fit in the small cargo hold. Pack light on the safari side; you can ship extra luggage ahead or store it at an Arusha hotel.
Book the bush-flight segments early. Seats on light aircraft between Serengeti airstrips and Arusha are limited — a typical Cessna Caravan carries 12 passengers. In July and August, popular morning departure slots from Seronera fill 6–8 weeks ahead. If your safari ends on a specific date, work backwards: lock the bush flight first, then book ZNZ accommodation around the arrival time, not the other way around. Missing a light aircraft connection delays your entire beach leg by a full day.
Transfers on the island
| Destination | Transfer time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Town centre | 15–20 min | USD 15–20 |
| East coast (Michamvi Pingwe) | 1h15–1h30 | USD 55–70 |
| East coast (Paje) | 55–65 min | USD 50–65 |
| East coast (Jambiani) | 1h05–1h15 | USD 50–65 |
| North coast (Nungwi) | 1h–1h30 | USD 55–70 |
| North coast (Kendwa) | 1h–1h20 | USD 50–65 |
Roads are tarmac but narrow, and Zanzibar is deceptively large — distances on a map look short but actual journey times depend on traffic through the southern end of the island. Pre-book your transfer through your hotel. After a long flight or a 05:30 game-drive start, a confirmed name-sign in arrivals is worth the modest premium over negotiating with unofficial drivers at the kerb.
If you prefer the cheapest option, dala-dalas (shared minibuses) run from outside the airport to Stone Town for a fraction of a private fare — fine for solo travellers with no luggage and patience for a crowded, slow journey.
Ferry to Zanzibar in detail: operators, fares, and what actually happens
The ferry is the romantic option and, for travellers already in Dar es Salaam, a perfectly sensible one. Here is what the crossing actually involves.
Crossing time: 90 to 120 minutes in good conditions. In the long-rains season (April–May) or during rougher weather, expect the upper end of that range and some chop.
Main operator: Azam Marine runs approximately 4 daily departures from Dar. A typical Dar schedule runs 07:00, 09:30, 12:30, and 16:00 — though you should always check azammarine.com for the current timetable. Zan Fast Ferries also operates around 27 weekly sailings.
Fares: Economy (standard class) runs approximately USD 35–60 per adult one-way. Premium class seats are available for up to USD 243. Fares are volatile — check the operator’s site rather than relying on guidebook prices.
Where the ferry arrives: Malindi Wharf in Stone Town. From there it is a short taxi ride to your hotel, or the start of your east-coast road transfer.
Practical advice: Buy tickets online or at the Dar ticket office in advance — not at the last minute at the terminal, especially in July and August when demand is high and the walk-up queue is chaotic. Take the earliest departure you can: morning crossings are calmer, you arrive with more of the day ahead, and late afternoon crossings are more likely to be delayed by weather.
I have done this crossing a dozen times. The 07:00 departure is the smoothest. The 16:00 one can leave you scrambling for a transfer in the dark, which is not ideal after a long travel day. On a calm January morning, the crossing is beautiful — Stone Town appears out of the haze about 15 minutes before docking. On a March afternoon, it can be rough enough that you’ll regret not flying.
Who should take the ferry vs fly: The ferry suits travellers with time, who want to see the Dar waterfront and the ocean crossing, and who are not pressed for connections. Flying (20 minutes, USD 45–80 one-way on domestic carriers) suits anyone with luggage to check, a tight itinerary, or a booking at the far end of the island that starts the transfer clock the moment you land.
ZNZ airport: what happens the moment you land
Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) is small and processes international flights sequentially. When two widebody aircraft arrive within the same 45-minute window — common in peak season — the immigration hall backs up quickly. Here is the process in order:
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Fill in the arrivals card on the plane or at the desk in the arrivals hall. You need your accommodation address, length of stay, and passport details.
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Join the immigration queue. Have ready:
- Tanzania eVisa approval (print or offline screenshot)
- Zanzibar ZIC insurance QR code (scanned here, not at a separate desk)
- Return or onward flight proof
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ZIC insurance scan. This happens at the immigration desk itself, not at a separate counter. The officer scans the QR code on your phone. If you do not have it, you are directed out of the queue.
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Passport stamp. Standard entry with the date. Keep your passport accessible for a few days — hotels and some activities ask to see it.
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Baggage. ZNZ has one carousel. Bags arrive within 15–25 minutes of a typical international flight. Smaller domestic hops are faster.
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Customs. Standard declaration. Most leisure travellers walk through without a check. Declare anything above standard duty-free allowances (typically 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco, 1 litre spirits).
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Arrivals hall. Drivers and hotel transfer reps are just past the barriers. Your hotel’s rep will hold a name sign. If you arranged a private transfer, they are there. If you are taking a taxi, ignore the first person who approaches you and find the official taxi rank.
Save your eVisa and ZIC insurance offline before you board. The Wi-Fi at ZNZ arrivals is unreliable, and trying to load a PDF from a slow data connection with 200 people behind you is not a situation you want.
How to connect from the Gulf hubs
The Gulf hubs — Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi (AUH) — remain some of the most efficient ways to reach Zanzibar from Europe, North America, or Asia, whether you catch flydubai’s or Air Tanzania’s nonstop Dubai–Zanzibar service directly (see the route list above) or connect via Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro on Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Etihad. If you’re routing via Dar rather than flying nonstop to ZNZ, the 20-minute domestic hop on Precision Air or Air Tanzania is the standard onward connection.
One transit note: if your routing through Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or another East African hub touches a yellow-fever endemic country, carry your International Certificate of Vaccination even if direct arrivals from your home country do not require it. Tanzania immigration may ask.
Booking order: what to confirm first
When planning a trip that combines safari and Zanzibar, the sequence matters. Confirm your east-coast accommodation availability before finalising the safari leg — boutique properties on the east coast, particularly Michamvi Pingwe, fill 3–5 months ahead for July and August. Once you have confirmed both lodges, then build the flight connections between them. Waiting until the last minute to book the Serengeti-to-ZNZ light aircraft leg can mean paying premium late prices or ending up on an inconvenient routing via an extra mainland leg.
For direct international flights to ZNZ, check during the booking process whether your departure airport has a seasonal direct route. Several carriers add and remove ZNZ from their schedules annually, so a direct route that existed last year may now route via a hub, or vice versa.
Cost comparison: the realistic numbers
These are the costs you should budget for the journey to Zanzibar, based on confirmed data from the facts database:
| Route / Option | Typical cost | Journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam → ZNZ (domestic flight) | USD 45–80 one-way | 20 min |
| Dar es Salaam → Stone Town (fast ferry, economy) | USD 35–60 one-way | 90–120 min |
| Frankfurt (FRA) → ZNZ (Condor, direct) | Varies seasonally | 9h 10 min |
| Nairobi (NBO) → ZNZ | Varies by carrier | 1h 30 min – 2h |
| ZNZ → Stone Town (private transfer) | USD 15–20 | 15–20 min |
| ZNZ → east coast (Michamvi/Paje, private) | USD 55–70 | 1h 15 min – 1h 30 min |
| ZNZ → north coast (Nungwi, private) | USD 55–70 | 1h – 1h 30 min |
| Serengeti airstrip → Arusha (light aircraft) | Varies by operator | ~90 min |
| Arusha → ZNZ (via Dar, scheduled) | Varies by date | 2–3h total |
Prices for international flights shift significantly by season and booking lead time. The Dar–ZNZ domestic hop is where the biggest trade-off exists: the ferry at USD 35–60 saves money over the USD 45–80 flight, but costs 60–90 minutes more each way. Over a two-week trip, that is not a meaningful sum — the time is usually the bigger factor.
When to arrive: seasonal considerations
The two main rainy seasons affect arrival logistics differently.
Long rains (March–May): This is the hardest season for the ferry crossing. Dar es Salaam’s rainy-season peak runs March through May, and the Indian Ocean crossing can be genuinely rough. If you are arriving during the long rains, fly from Dar rather than taking the ferry. Direct international arrivals at ZNZ are not affected the same way — the airport itself keeps running — but transfers to the east coast can be slower on wet roads.
Short rains (October–December): Shorter and less intense than the long rains. The ferry is fine on most days, though you should still prefer morning departures. October and November are shoulder-season months that combine good weather, decent rates, and smaller crowds — a genuinely good time to arrive.
Peak season (July–August): The busiest arrival window. International flights are fullest, light aircraft to safari camps book weeks ahead, and ZNZ immigration can back up when multiple widebody flights land simultaneously. Book all connections — including the ZNZ transfer — weeks in advance.
January–February: Good weather, relatively uncrowded, and the best time to observe whale sharks off Mafia Island if you are extending your trip south. A secondary peak for families travelling during school holidays.
What to pack and check before you fly
Luggage strategy for combination trips. If you are starting in Zanzibar and then doing a safari (or the reverse), the challenge is the 15 kg soft-bag limit on light aircraft. If you are beach-first, leave heavy safari gear at your beach hotel or a stone town storage and fly to the safari camp with just your soft duffel. Many east-coast properties will store luggage at no cost if you are returning to them.
Money at the airport. ZNZ has a couple of ATMs in the arrivals hall and a bureau de change. Rates are not the best in Tanzania but they are acceptable. For tips, taxis, and market purchases on the coast, TZS or USD both work — have some of each on arrival. See the full Tanzania currency guide for how to handle cash across the trip.
Health documentation. Malaria prophylaxis is worth beginning before you arrive — the east coast has mosquitoes at dusk, and most travel doctors recommend starting medication 1–2 weeks before entry. Yellow fever certificates are not required on direct flights from Europe or North America, but if your routing touches any sub-Saharan Africa transit, carry it regardless.
Time zones. Tanzania and Zanzibar are on East Africa Time, UTC+3, year-round — no daylight saving. From central Europe the difference is typically 2 hours in summer, 2 hours in winter; from the UK 3 hours. From the US East Coast it is 7–8 hours. Worth noting for morning transfers and early-morning game drives post-arrival.
The ZIC insurance: buy it before you fly
Since October 2024, every visitor entering Zanzibar must hold the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) mandatory travel insurance. It is not optional and it is separate from both your Tanzania eVisa and your own travel insurance.
What it costs: USD 44 per adult (18+), USD 22 per child (3–17), free for children under 3. Buy it at visitzanzibar.go.tz before you travel — only the official portal is accepted at arrivals. You receive a QR code that is scanned at immigration. I have watched guests get stopped at ZNZ arrivals for not having it — buy it the same week you sort your eVisa.
This insurance does not replace your personal travel insurance with evacuation cover. Treat it as a government entry fee and maintain your own policy separately.
Arriving at ZNZ: what to have ready
Immigration at ZNZ checks three things:
- Tanzania eVisa approval — print it or have it on your phone offline
- Zanzibar ZIC insurance — the separate island insurance (USD 44/adult), bought at visitzanzibar.go.tz before arrival; you’ll be scanned for the QR code
- Onward or return flight — evidence that you will leave Tanzania within your visa’s 90-day window
The full arrivals process is covered in the Zanzibar entry requirements guide. If you are arriving via Dar or Kilimanjaro first, see Tanzania entry requirements for the mainland visa — you need both.
For what to expect at the airport itself — the arrivals hall step by step, mandatory ZIC insurance, SIM cards, and transfer options — the Zanzibar airport guide covers each step in detail.
Once on the island, the Zanzibar taxis and transfers guide covers shared taxis, private cars, dala-dalas, bajajis and fares between all the main beaches. For the full overview of what to do once you arrive, start with the Zanzibar travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ferry to Zanzibar?
Yes. Fast ferries run between Dar es Salaam and Stone Town in about 90 to 120 minutes. Azam Marine operates around 4 daily departures. Book a reputable operator and a daytime crossing; buy tickets in advance in high season. Economy-class fares range roughly USD 35–60 one-way. Flying from Dar is only about 20 minutes if you prefer.
How long is the transfer from the airport to the beach?
From Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ): about 15 to 20 minutes to Stone Town, and roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to the east coast at Michamvi Pingwe. The north (Nungwi) is around 1 to 1.5 hours.
How do I get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
Fly. Light aircraft connect the Serengeti airstrips to Arusha, and onward flights run to Zanzibar (ZNZ), often via Arusha or Dar es Salaam. Allow most of a travel day and book the segments together so timings connect.
Do I need to go through Dar es Salaam?
Not necessarily. Many travellers fly direct to Zanzibar from Europe and the Gulf. Dar es Salaam and Nairobi are useful connecting hubs, especially when combining a mainland safari with the island.
How frequent are direct flights from Frankfurt to Zanzibar?
Condor flies nonstop from Frankfurt (FRA) to Zanzibar (ZNZ), flight DE2282, 3 times per week using an Airbus A330-900neo. For the March–October 2026 season the outbound flight takes approximately 9 hours 5 minutes; a schedule change from late October 2026 lengthens this to roughly 11 hours. This route launched in November 2025 and is the first regular long-haul nonstop from Continental Europe to ZNZ.
What documents do I need ready at Zanzibar airport arrivals?
Three things: your Tanzania eVisa approval (or visa-on-arrival if you haven't pre-applied), the Zanzibar ZIC insurance QR code (USD 44/adult, bought at inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz before arrival), and proof of an onward or return flight. Save all three offline before you board — airport Wi-Fi at ZNZ is unreliable.
How many flights per week connect Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro?
Approximately 19 nonstop flights per week run between Zanzibar (ZNZ) and Kilimanjaro (JRO), operated by Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and others. Flight time is about 1 hour 5 minutes over a distance of roughly 391 km.
Are there direct flights from the US or UK to Zanzibar?
No. There are no nonstop flights from the United States, Canada, or the UK to Zanzibar or mainland Tanzania — every routing connects through a hub, typically Istanbul, Amsterdam, Doha, Addis Ababa, or Dubai. From the UK, total journey time is usually 12 to 17 hours including the connection. If a flight search shows a nonstop-looking option from a North American or UK city, check the operating carrier carefully — it's almost always a codeshare with an aircraft change along the way.
How many airports have direct flights to Zanzibar?
35 airports worldwide had direct connections to Zanzibar (ZNZ) as of June 2026, according to FlightConnections — spanning Europe (Frankfurt via Condor), the Middle East (Doha, Muscat, Dubai), and a growing East African network (Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, and Cairo from September 2026). Most of that network is regional; only Frankfurt currently offers a true year-round nonstop from outside Africa and the Middle East.
Is Qatar Airways currently flying to Zanzibar?
Uncertain at the time of writing. Qatar Airways previously operated a near-daily Doha–Zanzibar service, but suspended it — along with dozens of other destinations — as a consequence of a 2026 Middle East conflict that closed or restricted Gulf airspace. The airline's own schedules targeted a June 2026 resumption, but whether that actually happened on time, versus slipping further, isn't independently confirmed. If Doha–Zanzibar matters to your trip, check qatarairways.com directly for your travel dates rather than relying on any single third-party source, including this one.
What is the luggage limit on light aircraft from the Serengeti?
Typically 15 kg (33 lb) total per person including carry-on on a soft-sided bag. Some operators offer an XL seat upgrade that allows 30 kg. Hard-shell suitcases do not fit in the cargo hold. Confirm the exact limit with your specific operator when booking.
