Searching for ways on how to get to Zanzibar? I’ve visited the Spice Island in August, and reaching it is much easier than you might think.
Inside this blog post I will outline the best ways to travel to Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, so you can plan your trip to the birthplace of Freddie Mercury with ease. No matter where you’re coming from.
Best places to stay IN ZANZIBAR:
• New Teddys on the Beach (I stayed here in Jambiani)
• The Loop Beach Resort (top location on Jambiani Beach)
• White Sands (top stay on Paje Beach)
• Makofi (I stayed here in Nungwi)
• Z Hotel (direct access to Nungwi Beach)
• Lost & Found (I stayed here in Stone Town)
• Shoki Shoki House (I stayed here in Stone Town)
TOP EXPERIENCES and TOURS IN ZANZIBAR:
• Stone Town walking tour (my favorite and A MUST DO!)
• Spice farm tour (I did this fun top-selling tour)
• Prison Island tour (I did this and met tortoises)
• Jozani Forest (I saw endangered monkeys on this tour)
• One-day safari from Zanzibar (top-rated tour!)
Zanzibar is an island archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It is easy to get to from the mainland Tanzania and is also connected with major international flights.
I’ll outline how to get to the biggest island Unguja (what people usually refer to as Zanzibar), from the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, and beyond. I’ll also share a few tips to make your travel planning as smooth as possible.
Are you still not sure how to get to Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania in East Africa.
Keep reading to find the best routes, flight durations, and other essential travel details to reach this tropical destination.
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
How to travel to Zanzibar
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● The easiest and best way to get to Zanzibar is by plane, with Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) serving as the main entry point.
● Many travelers arrive via connecting flights through major hubs like Nairobi (Kenya), Doha (Qatar), or Istanbul (Turkey), as direct international flights to Zanzibar are limited.
● Domestic flights from mainland Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Kilimanjaro) provide a quick and convenient option, especially if you wish to combine Zanzibar with a safari or hiking on Kilimanjaro.
● Alternatively, you can reach Zanzibar by ferry from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city. The ferry ride takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and offers a budget-friendly option for travelers coming from mainland Tanzania.
📌 No time to read? Pin it for later!
How to get to Zanzibar
Despite its location in Africa, Zanzibar is a popular destination that is easy to reach.
There are two ways on how to get to Zanzibar, by plane or by ferry.
The main entry point is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), previously known as Kisauni, in Zanzibar City. The airport is around 10 km (6 miles) or 15-20 minutes drive away from the UNESCO World Heritage site Stone Town.
Direct flights to Zanzibar
Direct flights to Zanzibar are available from major African hubs like Nairobi and Johannesburg, from the Middle East, like Dubai and Qatar, and some European cities like Rome, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Istanbul.
Airlines flying to Zanzibar (ZNZ) directly are Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, Turkish Airlines, Safair, Neos, and Edelweiss Air.
Another popular entry point is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, in mainland Tanzania. Between Dar and Zanzibar is a short 20-minute flight, where you can choose between various airlines.
There are other frequent domestic flights operate from Arusha, and Kilimanjaro, with carriers like Precision Air, Air Tanzania, and Coastal Aviation.
For travelers from North America, South America, or Australia, there are currently no direct flights to Zanzibar, requiring connections through hubs in Africa, the Middle East, or Europe.
Dar es Salaam ferry to Zanzibar is another option if you travel to the island from Tanzania. The boat from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar usually takes a bit less than 2h.
You can choose between Zan Fast Ferries and Azam Ferries. Tanzania to Zanzibar ferry prices for non-residents range from $35 to $60 USD for a one-way journey.
Ferry terminal is on the north of Stone Town, close to the Old Dispensary.
How to get to Zanzibar from USA and Canada
Flights to Zanzibar from the USA and Canada will require some planning, as there are currently no direct flights available.
The shortest route from the USA to Zanzibar Tanzania will include at least one stopover.
If possible, book a flight from one of the major hubs like New York, Miami, or Atlanta, with airlines offering connecting flights to Zanzibar.
The shortest distance from Zanzibar to USA (New York) is 12.402 km (7,706 mi), with the shortest flight duration around 16h. The best flight option from New York (JFK) to Zanzibar is with Kenya Airlines with a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya.
When flying from Los Angeles (LAX), Vancouver (YVR), Toronto (YYZ) Miami (MIA), or Atlanta (ATL) you will want to search for a connecting flight to a hub like Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul, and then continue to Zanzibar. Flight time for those is from 21h and up.
Alternatively, you could fly to a major European city like Frankfurt or Rome, and then connect to Zanzibar from there.
How to get to Zanzibar from Europe and UK
I was flying to Zanzibar from Zagreb via Doha with Qatar Airways.
To get to Zanzibar from Europe you can take a few direct flights from major airports like Frankfurt (FRA), Rome (FCO), and Zurich (ZRH). Flights are operated by Condor, Neos, and Edelweiss Air.
If you decide to fly from any other European or UK city, add at least one stopover through a major hub like Istanbul, Dubai, or Doha. That is also what my Zanzibar flight itinerary looked like.
The flight duration from European cities and the UK will vary depending on the layovers and connecting flights, but it will generally take more than 12 hours.
For example, flight time to Zanzibar from London is around 12h 45min, for a distance of 7427 km (4615 mi), and 13h 30min from Manchester (MAN), with a distance 7680 km (4772 mi).
How to get to Zanzibar from Australia
Getting to Zanzibar from Australia involves a longer journey due to the distance, but it’s still very much achievable with a bit of travel planning.
You’ll first need to fly from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or Brisbane to a connecting hub in the Middle East, Asia or South Africa, Dubai, Singapore, or Johannesburg. From there, you can catch a connecting flight to Zanzibar.
The total travel time can vary but it will generally be more than 24h depending on layovers and connections.
The best flight routes to Zanzibar from Australia (Sydney) are with Emirates and have only one stopover in Dubai. The approximate flight time for that journey will be 25h 20min.
Other flight options include multiple airlines and multiple stopovers.
Most of them include at least two stopovers. The first one is in Asia via Bangkok (BKK) or Singapore (SIN) and the second one is in Addis Ababa (ADD) in Ethiopia. Those flights will usually take more than one day. You can book that flight with Qantas and Ethiopian Air.
Below you will find the best Zanzibar planning resources for your ultimate African getaway!
Tips for booking your flight to Zanzibar
I was flying to Zanzibar with Qatar Airways from Zagreb via Doha.
The shortest distance from Doha to Zanzibar is 3768 km (2342 mi). An expected flight time from Doha to Zanzibar is around 5 hours and 50 min.
My total travel time from Zagreb to Zanzibar was 15h 10min.
When looking for the fastest route and the best ticket deals to Zanzibar, I always set up price alerts on Google Flights and Skyscanner. Both are great tools for comparing prices across multiple airlines, finding flexible travel dates and ensuring you get the most value for your money.
I share my step-by-step process, of finding the best deals, in my email newsletter.
Final thoughts on how to get to Zanzibar
The best way to reach Zanzibar is by air or ferry.
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar City serves as the primary entry point for flights.
The island is easily accessible from mainland Tanzania and can be reached by direct flights from the Middle East and Europe.
Coming to Zanzibar from the USA, Canada or Australia will add at least one stopover, through a major hub, to your flight itinerary.
For those coming from mainland Tanzania, a popular option is the ferry from Dar es Salaam, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and offers a scenic ride across the Indian Ocean.
With its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich Swahili culture, Zanzibar is a dream destination for relaxation and adventure.
Now that you know how to make your trip to Zanzibar island a reality, it’s time to start planning your island escape!
While Zanzibar or Spice Island is known for its rich history, the spice trade, and stunning beaches, have a look at why this African island is worth visiting, if Zanzibar is safe, things you can do there (besides learning about spices), fun facts, which are the best beaches in Zanzibar, and how it compares to Barbados and Seychelles.
➤ What you should read next
• 15 Best Places to Stay in Stone Town Zanzibar
• 15 Best hotels in Jambiani Zanzibar for a perfect holiday
• 15 Best Things To Do in Stone Town Zanzibar
• Zanzibar Itinerary: How to Spend 12 Days in Zanzibar
• Is Zanzibar safe to visit? 15 Things to know
📌 Like it? Pin it!
