How to get around Stone Town
Walk the old town; alleys are too narrow for cars. Use taxis or Bolt for the airport and beaches, and dala-dalas for cheap island trips.
Ways to get around Stone Town
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | The old town is compact; carry a map offline |
| Taxi / Bolt | 8,000–25,000 TSh for city trips | Agree price first if not using an app |
| Dala-dala | 1,000–3,000 TSh | Cheap shared minibuses from Darajani to the coast |
| Azam Marine ferry from Dar | About US$35–45 | Fast boat, about 2 hours; arrives at Stone Town port |
Ride-hailing apps in Stone Town
A 5 km ride costs about TSh8,000–20,000 ($3.0–7.6).
- Agree taxi prices first, and keep small notes. Hotels can arrange trusted drivers for airport and beach trips.
Arriving in Stone Town
Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)
7 km; taxi 25,000–40,000 TSh, 15–30 min; Bolt may be cheaper. The ferry port is a short walk to the hotel quarter.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Not suitable in the alleys. Scooters are used on the island for beach trips; local licence needed.
- Driving: on the left. Foreign licences are valid for up to 6 months; Zanzibar also needs a local permit, arranged through rental firms.
- Onward travel in Tanzania: The SGR electric train links Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma; flights (Air Tanzania, Precision Air, bush airlines) reach Arusha and parks, and Azam fast ferries serve Zanzibar.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Stone Town?
No. Use Bolt, inDrive instead.
What's the best way to get around Stone Town?
Walk the old town; alleys are too narrow for cars. Use taxis or Bolt for the airport and beaches, and dala-dalas for cheap island trips.
How do I get from the airport to Stone Town?
7 km; taxi 25,000–40,000 TSh, 15–30 min; Bolt may be cheaper. The ferry port is a short walk to the hotel quarter.
Is Stone Town walkable?
Very walkable.
More about Stone Town
Going to Stone Town solo?
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Sources
- Tanzania Railways Corporation SGR tickets
- Azam Marine ferries
- Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)
- Zanzibar Tourism Commission
- Azam Marine
- UNESCO World Heritage: Stone Town of Zanzibar
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.