How do i get to Zanzibar Island from Tanzania mainland? Together, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island are two of the top safari destinations in Africa. They are both located in the East African region, close to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. Simply put, Zanzibar is located within Tanzania and is a part of the nation. While Tanzania is best known for its renowned wildlife safaris, big five safaris, and hiking safaris in well-known safari parks like the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, etc., as well as hiking safaris in Africa’s largest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Africa’s fifth-largest mountain, Mount Meru, it is a different story in Zanzibar Island, which is primarily and mostly known for its best beautiful, unspoiled beaches.
This makes these two east Africa safari destinations the best combinations in one safari itinerary and can be visited together on one Africa safari, and most travelers/tourists make Tanzania their first priority by going on a wildlife safari in the bush of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Selous, and other places, or a hiking safari in Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, then capping off their safari tour by having some relaxing time in Zanzibar beaches.
So how do you get from Zanzibar to Tanzania? Or how do you get from Tanzania to Zanzibar? These are the questions that tourists and travelers who need to combine two destinations into one safari itinerary most frequently ask. It is easy because both of these safari destination are close to one another and can be reached by various modes of transportation. For instance, if you book with Focus East Africa Tours, we will always take care of your transportation from Zanzibar to Tanzania or Tanzania to Zanzibar, so you won’t have to worry about that since it is included in our Zanzibar safari package.
You want to know how to go to Zanzibar from the Tanzanian mainland and how to get from Zanzibar to the Tanzanian mainland, correct? Everything you need to know to get to Zanzibar from Tanzania or the mainland is included in this concise guide. And to put it simply, there are only two ways to get to Zanzibar from the Tanzanian mainland: by air, including domestic flights from major cities or towns in Tanzania such as Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Arusha, and Mwanza that fly to Zanzibar Island. The ferry service, which departs from Dar es Salaam to travel to Zanzibar Island, is the alternative mode of transportation.
There is no feasible way to travel by bus or automobile from Tanzania to Zanzibar Island, and the same is true of using these modes of transportation to go from Zanzibar Island to Tanzania’s mainland.
The most recommended options for getting to Zanzibar Island from the Tanzania mainland are
- Getting to Zanzibar Island from Tanzania’s mainland Dar es Salaam city by air transport costs around $36-$91. It takes about 37 minutes to reach there.
- Getting to Zanzibar Island from Tanzania’s mainland Tanga city by air transport costs around $139-$301 and takes about 46 minutes to reach there.
- Getting to Zanzibar Island from Tanzania’s mainland Arusha city by air transport costs about $59-$331 and takes about 1 hour and 19 minutes to reach there.
- Getting to Zanzibar Island from the Tanzanian mainland by the use of a ferry service, which costs about $35-$80 and takes about 3 hours to reach there.
- GETTING TO ZANZIBAR ISLAND FROM TANZANIA MAINLAND, DAR ES SALAM CITY
There are two ways to get from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar: local aircraft and ships traveling by sea (ferry). Taking a local flight to Zanzibar: The Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is where you may reserve and board your trip to Zanzibar Airport. Even though flying is more expensive than using a ferry, it is a faster way to get from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. It takes 20 to 40 minutes to get to the airport in Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam. Flights from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar can cost as little as $35 one way and as much as $58 round trip.
What airlines fly between Dar es Salaam and the island of Zanzibar? The many flights from Dar es Salaam city to Zanzibar Island are listed here.
- Coastal Air
- Precision Air
- Zan Air
- Air Tanzania
- Fly 540
- Auric Air
- Assalam Air
GETTING TO ZANZIBAR ISLAND FROM DAR ES SALAAM BY THE USE OF WATER TRANSPORT THROUGH A FERRY
You can also go to Zanzibar by ferry, which you can board at the Kigamboni ferry station in Dar es Salaam. The actual travel time to the Zanzibar ferry terminal is two hours. Compared to flying, it is a more cost-effective mode of transportation, but it requires more time.
What kind of ferries travel from Dar es Salaam to the island of Zanzibar? Here are the ferry companies from which you can pick if you want to go by water to Zanzibar Island from the Tanzanian mainland:
- Azam Marine
- Coastal Ferries
- Fast Ferries
For the greatest travel experience, Focus East Africa Tours strongly advises clients to use and book with Azam Marine. For non-residents, the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar costs $35.
- GETTING TO ZANZIBAR ISLAND FROM ARUSHA CITY
Additionally, there are two ways to travel from Arusha to Zanzibar. The first is by flying directly there, while the second involves either taking a taxi from Arusha to Dar es Salaam or flying from Arusha to Dar es Salaam and then taking a ferry from there to Zanzibar. Direct flights from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport to Zanzibar Airport are the most convenient way to travel from Arusha to Zanzibar. The journey to the airport in Zanzibar takes one hour and thirty minutes.
Requirements at Zanzibar Airport or Ferry Terminal
- Get your passport
- Ticket
- If you are from a country with a high risk of yellow fever, you will need a yellow fever certificate.
- If you have already arrived in Tanzania, you do not need to apply for another VISA to travel to Zanzibar.
The aforementioned methods of transportation or arriving at Zanzibar Island from the Tanzania Mainland can also be used by visitors or travelers who want to travel to Tanzania from Zanzibar Island. These visitors or travelers will only use two options, namely water transportation by the use of a ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam and then domestic flights or road transportation after arriving in Dar es Salaam to reach any other region or part of Tanzania. Or use a local aircraft from the international airport of Zanzibar, Abeid Aman Karume, to travel to any Tanzanian mainland location, such as Kilimanjaro, Arusha, or Dar es Salaam City.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET TO ZANZIBAR: FERRY OR FLIGHT?
FERRY
Although the sound of the name Zanzibar is undeniably cool, does the location live up to expectations? Absolutely. Despite being only 28 miles off the coast of Tanzania, the Spice Islands live up to their reputation in every aspect. Beaches the color of powder, sunsets the color of blood, diving of the highest caliber, and cuisine to rival anyplace. It is certainly a place to see on your bucket list.
Which one is the best way of getting to this paradise? By water transport (ferry) or Air Transport? Both mode of transportation for getting to Zanzibar Island from Tanzania mainland provide excellent experiences and have advantages. We’ve created a brief and straightforward comparison so you can decide without any ambiguity. We will reveal our personal recommendation at the end of this post.
Why take a water transport-ferry to Zanzibar?
Staying near the ground or the water frequently makes any experience more adventurous. Traveling by ferry in Tanzania can be thrilling and can put you in touch with local seafarers. Most high-speed ferries to Zanzibar leave from Dar es Salaam many times per day. Some details of ferry transport includes:
- Travelling time: Two hours in length
- Cost: $35/$40/$50/$60
- Comfort: Economy, Business, VIP, Royal
- A Book in Advance is recommended
The voyage is picturesque and puts you in close proximity to the natural features that make up this island environment. Having this vantage point when you arrive is a genuinely exceptional experience, and the crossing is well worth it. Overall, Tanzania’s boat system is safe and secure, albeit we only suggest that tourists takes the fast, well-maintained ferry companies. When clients go through Dar es Salaam on their way home, we advise them to take a ferry. This option eliminates the 1.5-hour trip to the airport and is simple to access from downtown hotels.
Why take a flight to Zanzibar?
Booking a safari in Northern Tanzania and/or a Kilimanjaro trek is a popular choice. Then, you may travel straight from Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or the Serengeti to Zanzibar. Flights from Arusha take 1.5 hours, are often scheduled, and are inexpensive. Be mindful that this may necessitate several pauses if you are flying from the Serengeti. After days spent in the bush, this combo provides a simple beach vacation. All the transfers to and from the airport, to the hotel, to paradise, and back may be planned by your Focus East Africa Tours team. Hassle-free. Listed below are some flight details:
- Arusha to Zanzibar: $230 to $250 per person, one way.
- Northern Serengeti Kogatende Airstrip to Zanzibar: $470 to $500 per person, one way.
- Grumeti to Zanzibar: $470 to $500 per person, one way.
- Seronera (Central Serengeti to Zanzibar): $400 to $430 per person, one way.
Our recommendation? Fly or Ferry
Flying to Zanzibar turns out to be the best use of your brief time in Tanzania, despite the fact that we adore the excitement and down-to-earth feeling of a high-speed ferry trip. We will arrange for a direct flight for you to get there. By flying, one can avoid motion sickness, crammed boats, and possibly exhausting distances over land to get to and from the ports. Because all ferries leave from Dar es Salaam, you’ll need to get there first, which we can help you plan if you want to take a ferry after your safari. Alternatively, you might take a one-way ferry to Zanzibar and then fly back to your final destination.
