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10.1 km • ~12 mins

How to Get from Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) to Stone Town

Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) is roughly 10 km south-east of Stone Town. The journey takes about 12 to 15 minutes by car or taxi, or up to 40 minutes by dala-dala, ending with a short walk through Stone Town's car-free alleys.

✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026 • 10.1 km road distance

Pre-Booked Hotel or Airport Transfer

Best for Fixed Price & Luggage
15 mins •On request / pre-booked
€14 - €18.50 Per Vehicle
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free (confirm with operator)
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals at Terminal 2 or 3 and look for your driver holding a name sign.
  2. Pre-book online or through your hotel and confirm the fixed price per car in USD or EUR.
  3. Meet the driver outside the terminal and load luggage.
  4. Ride about 15 minutes and ask to be dropped at the nearest road to your Stone Town hotel or the ferry terminal.
  5. Walk the last short section through Stone Town alleys or use a porter.
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Official Airport Taxi (Unmetered)

Flexible, Negotiate Fare First
12 mins •Available 24/7 at Arrivals
€14 - €18.50 Per Vehicle
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free (confirm per car)
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit the Arrivals hall and use the official taxi rank outside; ignore touts inside the terminal.
  2. Agree the total fare in USD or TZS before loading luggage; there are no meters.
  3. Confirm the price is per car, not per person, and have cash ready.
  4. Ride about 15 minutes and ask to be dropped at the nearest road to your Stone Town hotel or the ferry terminal.
  5. Walk the last short distance through Stone Town alleys or hire a porter.

Bolt (Licensed Ride-Hailing)

App Fare, Good for Stone Town
15 mins •Available at arrivals; follow app pickup point
€14 - €18 per car (app fare)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free (driver may refuse large bags)
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Connect to airport Wi-Fi or use mobile data and open the Bolt app.
  2. Set your destination to a Stone Town hotel or landmark and check the app for the pickup point.
  3. Walk to the pickup point shown in the app outside the terminal.
  4. Confirm the car and driver details; pay by app or cash as prompted.
  5. Ride about 15 minutes, get dropped at the nearest road, and walk the last section.

Dala-Dala Local Minibus to Darajani

Cheapest, Not Great with Luggage
40 mins •Daytime only; no fixed timetable
€0.20 - €0.35 per person (cash TZS)
Luggage: No dedicated luggage space (not ideal with suitcases)
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit the airport and walk to the main road outside the terminal, about 5 minutes.
  2. Wait for a dala-dala heading to Darajani terminal and ask the conductor for Stone Town or Darajani.
  3. Pay the conductor in TZS cash and keep small notes handy.
  4. Get off at Darajani terminal next to the market.
  5. Walk or take a porter or taxi for the short distance to your Stone Town hotel or Forodhani.

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • No official taxi meters exist at ZNZ; always agree the total fare in USD or TZS before loading luggage, and confirm it is per car not per person.
  • Ignore touts inside the terminal and only use the official taxi rank or a pre-booked driver with a name sign.
  • Do not rely on Uber: it does not operate on Zanzibar. Bolt works for Stone Town, but check the app for available drivers.
  • Card payment is uncommon for taxis and dala-dalas; carry small USD or TZS notes. Euros may be accepted at a poor rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from ZNZ to Stone Town?

The dala-dala minibus is cheapest; board on the main road outside the airport and pay around €0.30 in TZS cash. It ends at Darajani terminal, then you walk or take a porter to your hotel.

Are taxis available at night?

Yes, official taxis wait at Arrivals 24/7, but late-night quotes can be higher. Pre-booking a private transfer gives a fixed price and a driver waiting with a sign.

Can I pay by card from the airport?

Card payment is uncommon for taxis and dala-dalas; carry small USD or TZS notes. Pre-booked transfers can often be paid online by card in advance.

How long does the journey take?

It takes about 12 to 15 minutes by car, taxi or Bolt, depending on traffic. The dala-dala can take 40 minutes or more with waiting and the final walk.

Is there an airport bus or train?

No, ZNZ has no rail, metro, airport bus or shuttle. The only bus is the local dala-dala on the main road; Uber does not operate on Zanzibar.

Which option is best for families with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer is best for families: fixed price, driver waiting, and enough space for bags. A taxi also works, but avoid the crowded dala-dala with suitcases.

Nearby places

More transfers from Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

Forodhani Gardens · 11.7 km Zanzibar Ferry Terminal (Malindi) · 11 km Fumba Town · 9 km Uroa · 34.4 km Jozani Forest · 36.9 km Pongwe · 53.3 km Kiwengwa · 46.5 km Michamvi · 68.2 km Matemwe · 51.5 km Mnemba Island boat trips (Matemwe beach) · 54.5 km