Island, Tanzania
Getting around Zanzibar
How to get around Zanzibar
Taxis, hotel transfers and cheap dala-dalas (minibuses) link Stone Town to the beaches. Scooters are popular but risky. Ferries and flights arrive from Dar es Salaam.
Ways to get around Zanzibar
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dala-dala | 1,000–3,000 TSh | Cheap shared minibuses; crowded and slow |
| Taxi / hotel transfer | 60,000–150,000 TSh | Agree price first; many lodges arrange it |
| Bolt / inDrive | 10,000–25,000 TSh | Mostly Stone Town and nearby; fewer cars on the coast |
| Azam Marine ferry from Dar | About US$35–45 | Fast boat, about 2 hours; book online |
| Scooter or quad | About 30,000–50,000 TSh a day | Need a Zanzibar driving permit; police fines are common |
Ride-hailing apps in Zanzibar
A 5 km ride costs about TSh10,000–25,000 ($3.8–9.4).
- Most visitors use hotel taxis or agreed-price drivers. Agree the fare before getting in; apps are patchy on the beaches.
Arriving in Zanzibar
Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)
7 km from Stone Town; taxi 25,000–40,000 TSh, 15–30 min; Nungwi or Paje about 100,000–150,000 TSh, 1–1.5 hours.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rental is common but risky. You need a local Zanzibar licence from rental firms; police fines and accidents occur.
- 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 Zanzibar?
No. Use Bolt, inDrive instead.
What's the best way to get around Zanzibar?
Taxis, hotel transfers and cheap dala-dalas (minibuses) link Stone Town to the beaches. Scooters are popular but risky. Ferries and flights arrive from Dar es Salaam.
How do I get from the airport to Zanzibar?
7 km from Stone Town; taxi 25,000–40,000 TSh, 15–30 min; Nungwi or Paje about 100,000–150,000 TSh, 1–1.5 hours.
Is Zanzibar walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Zanzibar
Going to Zanzibar solo?
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Sources
- Tanzania Railways Corporation SGR tickets
- Azam Marine ferries
- Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)
- Zanzibar Tourism Commission
- Tanzania Immigration
- Azam Marine
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.