Getting Around Zanzibar: The Complete Transport Guide

Arriving in Zanzibar: Airport and Ferry Options

Most international and regional visitors arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA: ZNZ), formerly known as Zanzibar International Airport, located on Unguja roughly 3 miles south of Zanzibar City. The drive to Stone Town takes about 15–20 minutes by car in normal traffic. A second group of visitors arrives by ferry from Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian mainland.

From the airport, your practical options are: a private taxi, a hotel or resort transfer pre-arranged before arrival, a rental car picked up at the airport, or the dala-dala. The dala-dala (route 505) stops several hundred metres from the terminal and runs to Stone Town for a reported fare of around TSh 500 — extremely cheap, but the walk to the stop with luggage is awkward, and the bus will leave when full, not on a schedule. Unless you are traveling very light and very patiently, most visitors use a taxi for the airport leg.

If you are arriving from the mainland by sea, Azam Marine operates the main ferry service between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Crossings take roughly 2 hours on the fast ferry, and multiple daily departures are available. Book through Azam Marine's official channels — third-party touts at the port sometimes sell counterfeit or overpriced tickets. For a full breakdown of this route, including timing and port logistics, see the Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry guide.

Taxis: The Practical Default for Most Visitors

Taxis are the most flexible and reliable way to get around Zanzibar, and for solo travelers or couples, they are often more cost-effective than the time and hassle of public transport. There are no meters. Every fare is a negotiation. This is not a system flaw — it is simply how it works, and once you accept it, it becomes straightforward.

As a rough benchmark: Stone Town to the airport runs US$10–20. Stone Town to Nungwi in the north is around US$40–60. Stone Town to Paje or Jambiani on the southeast coast runs roughly US$30–50. These are not fixed rates — they shift with season, time of day, driver judgment, and your negotiating position. Ask your hotel for a current reference fare before you leave; that knowledge alone is the best negotiating tool you have.

• Airport to Stone Town Around US$10–20, 15–20 minutes drive.
• Stone Town to Nungwi Around US$40–60, approximately 1 hour.
• Stone Town to Paje or Jambiani Around US$30–50, approximately 45–60 minutes.
• Stone Town to Kizimkazi Around US$30–45, approximately 45 minutes.
• Stone Town to Matemwe or Kiwengwa Around US$35–55, approximately 50–70 minutes.

Dala-Dalas: Zanzibar's Public Transport Network

Dala-dalas are shared minibuses (and sometimes converted pickup trucks) that run fixed routes across Unguja. They are the primary mode of transport for local residents, and fares are genuinely cheap — typically TSh 500–3,000 depending on distance. For context, that is less than US$2 for most journeys. If you have time and patience, dala-dalas offer a ground-level experience of daily island life that no taxi ride can replicate.

The two key departure points for visitors are Darajani in Stone Town, which serves northern routes toward Nungwi and Kendwa, and Mwanakwerekwe, which covers southeast destinations including Paje and Jambiani. These are not formal bus stations with signage in English — you will need to ask, confirm your route with other passengers, and be prepared for the bus to stop frequently along the way.

• Fares are typically TSh 500–3,000 — confirm before boarding and have small notes ready.
• Departures from Darajani (Stone Town) serve northern routes including Nungwi.
• Departures from Mwanakwerekwe serve the southeast coast including Paje and Jambiani.
• Dala-dalas depart when full, not on a fixed schedule — allow significant extra time.
• They will not stop at hotel entrances unless the hotel is directly on the main road.

Renting a Scooter or Car: Freedom With Caveats

Renting a scooter or motorbike is popular and gives you genuine independence, particularly for exploring the central and eastern parts of Unguja at your own pace. Scooter rentals typically run around US$15–30 per day depending on the bike and operator. You will usually need to show a driving licence, and an international driving permit is advisable. Road quality on Zanzibar varies considerably: the main north-south routes are generally paved and passable, but many beach-access roads are unsealed, potholed, and genuinely rough.

Car rentals are also available, either self-drive or with a driver. A car with driver hired for a full day costs roughly US$80–120 and is a practical option for families or groups covering multiple sites. Self-drive rentals are less common and require more navigation confidence. If you are planning to combine a road trip with the island's natural attractions, note that sites like Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and the south coast dolphin tours at Kizimkazi are accessible by road and manageable on a day loop from Stone Town.

Getting Between Beach Areas: Planning Your Island Routes

One of the most common transport headaches on Zanzibar is moving between beach destinations. The island is roughly 85 km long and 30 km wide, and the roads connecting the north coast to the southeast coast run through the interior. There is no direct coastal road connecting, for example, Nungwi to Paje — you route through Stone Town or the interior, which takes 1.5–2 hours by car.

If your itinerary includes multiple beach bases, factor in these transit times. A common routing mistake is booking a few nights in the north (Nungwi or Kendwa) and then a few nights in the southeast (Jambiani or Paje) without budgeting time or cost for the transfer. By taxi, that cross-island move can cost US$50–70 and take the better part of a morning.

For anyone spending a week or more on the island, consider anchoring in Stone Town for a night mid-trip. It breaks up transfers, gives you time to explore the historic quarter properly, and is considerably cheaper for accommodation than the beachfront resorts. See our Stone Town walking guide for what to cover while you are there.

What Does Not Exist in Zanzibar (And What Travelers Assume Does)

There is no rail network on Zanzibar and no metro. Uber, Grab, and Careem do not currently operate here. Local ride-hailing apps have been developed but are generally reported as unreliable — do not build your transport plan around an app.

There are no scheduled domestic bus services with fixed departure times, fixed stops, and posted timetables in the way visitors from Europe or North America might expect. The dala-dala network is functional and affordable, but it operates on informal timing. If you have a flight to catch, a boat tour booked, or a tight appointment, arrange a taxi or transfer the day before and do not rely on public transport for time-sensitive journeys.

• No Uber, Grab, or Careem — negotiate directly with taxi drivers.
• No metered taxis — always agree the fare before departure.
• No rail or metro system on Unguja.
• No reliable ride-hailing apps currently operating on the island.
• Dala-dalas have no fixed timetable — factor in significant waiting and transit time.

For practical trip planning, including how long to allow between destinations and which beach suits your travel style, the one week in Zanzibar itinerary covers routing logic across a full trip. If you are planning a shorter visit, the 3-day Zanzibar guide offers a tighter route that minimises unnecessary cross-island transfers.