Zanzibar looks small on a map, but its coastal zones are far enough apart that transport planning shapes the whole trip. This guide focuses on Zanzibar specifically for travelers working out how to get from the airport or Stone Town to a specific coast, and how to move between coasts once there, rather than general sightseeing advice.

Planning guide · Compiled from airline, ferry operator, and transport sources, last checked October 2026. Schedules and fares change; confirm directly before booking.

Flying in: Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

Most international and regional flights land at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), a short drive from Stone Town. Some visitors arrive on a direct long-haul flight, while many others connect through a mainland Tanzanian or Kenyan hub, or add Zanzibar onto a mainland safari itinerary with a short regional hop.

Airport arrival halls can be slow at peak times, with visa processing adding to the wait even for travelers using the online e-visa system, so build in extra time rather than booking a tight onward connection on arrival day.

The terminal itself is compact by international standards, with a single main building handling both arrivals and departures. Baggage claim can take a while after a busy wide-body arrival, and currency exchange counters and ATMs are available inside, though rates are often better in Stone Town if you can wait rather than changing money immediately on arrival.

The crossing can get choppy, and delays or cancellations happen in rough weather, so it suits travelers with some schedule flexibility more than a tight same-day onward connection. Foreign nationals are sometimes charged a different fare from local residents; confirm current pricing with the ferry operator directly.

Ferries dock at Zanzibar’s port on the edge of Stone Town, within walking distance of many old town hotels but a taxi ride from the north or east coast. Porters are available at the terminal and typically expect a small tip; agree this upfront if you want help with luggage. Economy and VIP class tickets are usually both available, with VIP offering air conditioning and more comfortable seating for a moderate price difference.

Airport to your hotel: transfers and taxis

Pre-arranged private transfers are the most predictable way to reach a specific coast, and many hotels either include one or can book one on request. Licensed airport taxis are also available on arrival, though agreeing the fare before departing is standard practice, since meters are not universal.

Realistic driving times from the airport: roughly 20-30 minutes to Stone Town, 45 minutes to an hour to the north coast around Nungwi and Kendwa, and about an hour to an hour and a half to reach the east coast around Paje and Jambiani, depending on traffic through town and the exact property.

Vehicles range from standard sedans to larger vans for groups and families with extra luggage; confirm the vehicle type when booking if you have more than two large suitcases or need a car seat for a child, since not every operator carries these as standard. Night arrivals are routine and well served by transfer companies, but confirm your driver has your flight number so they can track delays rather than waiting at a fixed time.

Moving between coasts once you’re there

Switching coasts mid-trip, for example spending the first half in Stone Town and the second on the north coast, generally means another private transfer or taxi rather than a scheduled shuttle service. Build transfer time and cost into any multi-base itinerary, since distances that look short on a map can take over an hour on local roads.

A small number of tour operators run shared shuttle transfers between the airport, Stone Town, and the main resort areas on a fixed schedule, which can be cheaper than a private transfer for solo travelers or couples willing to share a vehicle with other guests.

Some travelers splitting a trip between two coasts, for example the north and the east, choose to route a transfer through Stone Town for a short stopover rather than paying for a separate direct leg, which can work out similar in cost while adding a few hours of sightseeing. Ask your transfer company whether a stopover is possible before assuming it adds significant extra charge.

Dala-dalas and public transport

Dala-dalas, shared minibuses, are the backbone of local public transport and are very cheap, but they run fixed routes with frequent stops and are not designed around tourist luggage or precise timing. They work well for budget travelers moving light between Stone Town and nearby areas, but are a harder fit for a direct run to a specific beach resort with bags.

Routes generally radiate out from Stone Town’s central market area rather than connecting coast to coast directly, so a dala-dala trip to the east coast, for example, may mean a stop or change in town. Fares are collected on board and paid in Tanzanian shillings; having small denominations on hand makes this easier, since conductors are not always able to break large notes.

Self-driving and renting a car

Self-drive car rental exists on Zanzibar but is uncommon among visitors, since roads are not always clearly signposted, driving is on the left, and traffic patterns through village centers can be unfamiliar to first-time visitors. Most travelers find a driver, whether through a hotel, a private transfer company, or a trusted taxi, more straightforward than self-driving for a short trip.

Scooter and motorbike rental is more common among longer-stay visitors and is a genuinely useful way to explore a single area, such as the east coast between Paje and Jambiani, at your own pace. It suits confident riders only, since road surfaces vary, livestock and pedestrians share the road outside town, and local driving norms differ from what many visitors are used to at home.

If you do rent, a local or international driving permit is generally required alongside your home license; check current requirements with the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism or your rental company before arrival, since rules can change.

Getting to Stone Town’s old town once you arrive

Stone Town’s old quarter is largely pedestrian, with narrow alleys that vehicles cannot use, so taxis and transfers typically drop passengers at the edge of the old town rather than at a specific hotel door. Confirm with your accommodation how far the drop-off point is from your room, especially if you are traveling with heavy luggage.

Many old town hotels arrange a porter or cart to help move bags the final stretch, which is worth asking about when you book. Once inside the old town, walking is the only practical way to get around, and bicycles and motorbikes are a poor fit for the narrowest alleys even though you will occasionally see locals navigating them on two wheels.

Once transport is sorted, see our full Zanzibar travel guide for help choosing a coast, the Stone Town city guide for the old town, and the Zanzibar vs. Seychelles comparison if you are still deciding on a destination. Browse the wider Zanzibar hotel collection once your transport plan is set.