Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) · Tanzania
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Quick answer
Entry
Same as Tanzania mainland — Tanzania visa is required even on Zanzibar (separate immigration desk). Visa-on-arrival USD 50 (USD 100 US). E-visa recommended. Yellow fever certificate if from endemic country.
Into town
Daladala (shared minibus): 25 min, TZS 500.
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from ZNZ arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
The sights in Zanzibar worth leaving the airport for.
1Maze of 19th-century Swahili-Arab-Indian alleys. Carved doors + Sultan's Palace + House of Wonders. Free to wander. 2-3 hours minimum.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Mbz1 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sunset seafood grill — Zanzibar pizza, skewers, sugarcane juice. USD 5-10 a meal. Daily 5pm-11pm.
30-min boat from Stone Town — giant tortoises (150+ years old) + clear-water snorkel. USD 35 boat + USD 5 entry. 3-4 hours total.
Half-day tour into Kizimbani spice plantations — taste cloves, vanilla, cinnamon. USD 20-30. Why Zanzibar is the Spice Island.
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
6–8 hours exploring
Insider tip
ZNZ is 6km from Stone Town — taxis USD 15-25 (negotiate, no meter), Daladala minibus TZS 500. For 4-hour layovers: Stone Town walk + Forodhani night market. For 12+ hours: add a Spice Tour. Bring USD cash — ATMs unreliable.
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Daladala (shared minibus) | TZS 500 | 25 min |
| Taxi to Stone Town | USD 15–25 | 15 min |
| Hotel transfer (book ahead) | USD 20–30 | 15 min |
Zanzibar pizza (Forodhani). Pilau spiced rice. Mishkaki skewers. Coconut octopus curry. Spiced chai. Konyagi gin.
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Zanzibar
Take Daladala (shared minibus) (25 min, TZS 500).
1–4 hrs
Stone Town (UNESCO) + Darajani Market
Maze of 19th-century Swahili-Arab-Indian alleys. Carved doors + Sultan's Palace + House of Wonders. Free to wander. 2-3 hours minimum.
4–6 hrs
Forodhani Gardens night market
Sunset seafood grill — Zanzibar pizza, skewers, sugarcane juice. USD 5-10 a meal. Daily 5pm-11pm.
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Zanzibar pizza (Forodhani). Pilau spiced rice. Mishkaki skewers. Coconut octopus curry. Spiced chai. Konyagi gin.
8–10 hrs
Prison Island (Changuu) snorkel
30-min boat from Stone Town — giant tortoises (150+ years old) + clear-water snorkel. USD 35 boat + USD 5 entry. 3-4 hours total.
10–12 hrs
Back to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
Head back to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport by Daladala (shared minibus) (25 min, TZS 500). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Same as Tanzania mainland — Tanzania visa is required even on Zanzibar (separate immigration desk). Visa-on-arrival USD 50 (USD 100 US). E-visa recommended. Yellow fever certificate if from endemic country. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
6–8 hours exploring. Getting into Zanzibar by Daladala (shared minibus) takes 25 min each way.
Daladala (shared minibus): 25 min, TZS 500. Taxi to Stone Town: 15 min, USD 15–25. Hotel transfer (book ahead): 15 min, USD 20–30.
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Zanzibar and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse Zanzibar
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With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Zanzibar
Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia
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Same as Tanzania mainland — Tanzania visa is required even on Zanzibar (separate immigration desk). Visa-on-arrival USD 50 (USD 100 US). E-visa recommended. Yellow fever certificate if from endemic country.
03
Head back to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport by Daladala (shared minibus) (25 min, TZS 500). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
