Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches) Airport Transfers: Getting from the Airport to the City

Airports serving Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

• Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ) — 6 km from the centre

  Hotel-arranged transfer US$15–80 depending on beach; taxi Stone Town US$15 negotiated, Nungwi US$70, Paje US$50.

• Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere (mainland) (DAR)

  Domestic hop to Zanzibar 20 min US$70–120 (Coastal, Auric, Precision) or Azam Marine ferry 2h US$35–60.

Arriving by train

None on Zanzibar; SGR train Dar–Dodoma exists on mainland.

Entry and arrival formalities

Zanzibar has separate immigration from mainland Tanzania — passport stamped on arrival at ZNZ.

Almost all visitors need Tanzania visa (US$50 tourist, US$100 US citizens). eVisa preferred — apply 10+ days ahead. Visa on arrival available at ZNZ (US$50 cash exact) but slow. Yellow-fever certificate required if arriving from endemic country including Kenya.

Getting into the city

Domestic flights (Coastal, Auric, ZanAir) hop from Dar es Salaam + Arusha for US$70–150. On-island: private drivers US$40–80 per day, dala-dala local buses TSh500, taxis need pre-negotiated fares (Stone Town–Nungwi US$40, ZNZ airport–Paje US$50). Rent scooter TSh30,000/day with international permit (check licence rules changing frequently).

• Private driver

  US$40–80 per day with English-speaking guide — most efficient.

• Dala-dala

  Local minibus TSh500–1,500 — crowded, adventure mode only.

• Taxi

  Pre-negotiate flat fares — Stone Town–Nungwi US$40, Paje–ZNZ US$50.

• Scooter

  TSh30,000/day with international permit; roads variable, sand patches.