Zanzibar Island Transportation

Transport on the island can be a bit of a problem. I suppose you can use the local dala-dala, but we passed many f them and they don’t seem very safe, they are overcrowded and takes very long to cross the island. They might be suitable for short distances. We paid 40 USD for a return trip from the hotel to Stone Town, which was very reasonable (the hotel charged 80 USD!!!).

We flew directly from Johannesburg to Zanzibar with 1Time. This is a budget airline in South Africa, flying on Tuesdays and Saturdays to Zanzibar. The major advantage of this option is that you do not need to fly to Dar Es Salaam first, getting a connection to Zanzibar. Flying time is only 3 hours!
It is a very popular route and both flights were 100% full, so book early. By booking early, you will also bet discounted fares of about 400 – 500 USD (return).

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Converted pick-ups or Dalla-Dallas (minibuses) link all major towns on Zanzibar Island. The main 'Bus Station' is on Creek Road just beside the Darajani Market on the edge of Stone Town. They tend to leave once an impossible number of people have been squeezed into, and often onto, these overworked vehicles. Each one has a number and many are decorated with English Football teams logos. The ones with letters on them have routes in Zanzibar Town. Numbers indicate farther destinations.

Destinations around Zanzibar Town:

A Amani Stadium
B Bububu
J Jangombe
M Magomeni
U Airport

Destinations accross the island:

1 Mkokotoni (sometimes Nungwi as well)
2 Mangapwani & Bumbwini
3 Kizimbani
4 Mchangani
5 Ndagaa
6 Chwaka (sometimes to Uroa)
7 Fumba
8 Unguja Ukuu
9 Paje (sometimes Bwejuu or Jambiani)
10 Jozani, Makunduchi and Kizimkazi Junction
11 Fuoni
14 Uroa
16 Nungwi
17 Kiwengwa
18 Matemwe

I did see others with 3 Numbers, like the 309 in Jambiani. These may be internal routes and not go to Stone Town. Always best to ask 2 questions: 1) Where are you going? and 2) Are you going today?

Dalla-Dalla’s can be a very cheap way to leave Stone Town and can give you some real insight into the lives of native people. It can also be a crowded and not overly safe way to get there. Some outlying areas are only served once a day.

Returning to Stone Town from remote areas may not be possible by Dalla-Dalla. Just look at one of my pictures of 5-6 passengers on the roof. And if it is really far out, they may leave before 6am. You may not be able to get on board.

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We flew from Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha to Zanzibar in this very small plane. I loved it, but if you’re a nervous flyer you might find this a little disconcerting – especially the way you can see straight through to the pilot and his controls, and the nearness to the ground. But if like me you enjoy flying, you’ll love the sensation of actually doing so, which large jets cannot really convey in the same way.

Flights from Arusha take approximately 1.5 hours and there are several each day. They land at Zanzibar’s small airport. When we arrived it was early evening and we stepped off the plane to a wonderful smell of warm spices that was to become my abiding memory of this magical place.

We left the island a week later on a rather larger (though still not huge) plane to Mombasa, where we were to pick up our connection for London. Checking in at this airport was another “interesting” experience – the desks are out on the pavement, so our minibus dropped us literally at the end of the queue! We sat there on our bags for a while waiting our turn, then after check-in proceeded inside to the small departure area. There’s not a lot to do here (though there is a snack bar and small duty free shop) so I would recommend you don’t allow more than the minimum time allowed before your flight.

There are many flights daily to Zanzibar Island from Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and ther cities.
Last Night, i came here with my family from Mombasa and all of us decided to do some adventure. To spend our more time of our trip at Zanzibar Island, we booked the our flight just one day ahead from flights.worldmapsinfo.com. Flight was exactly in time and just take one hour.Also, it was the pleasant flight with a great view at the Klimanjaro. That site had many options for discount airlines and the cheap flights to Zanzibar Island.

Thanks to flights.worldmapsinfo.com

Ally Key`s SPECIALLIST IN RENTING :-
a)MOTOR BIKES.
b)SUZUKI JEEPS.
c)SCOOTERS.
ALL THE VASSELS ARE FULL INSURANCED.
CONTACT US :-
TEL : +255-777-411797.
like DAO has mentioned he is the man. and i think anyone knows him on the island
even the Polisi (Police). just remaind add one hour for the agreed meeting time.
the vehicle Suzuki Vitara 4x4 has already some Km on it but was working well.
please check the labels on the windscreen like Insurance our was one week over and we got a penalty from the Polisi. But Ally showed up at the Hotel the next day with a new sticker.... and remember there are many Police check points on the island ! almost looking to make some money for there pocket (thats my opinion)
at least i would again rent a car to discover the island and to be free.

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Air Tanzania calls itself ‘The wings of Kilimanjaro’ and they have some excellent prices within Tanzania. Their international flight prices are not as economical. You might want to consider flying vs ground inside Tanzania as a quicker transport option at these prices.

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PRECISION AIR is a small well-run airline based in Tanzania. Unlike many airlines that fly you about 6 miles above the earth, Precision air has a fleet of smaller planes allowing you to see the real beauty of Eastern Africa. Their fleet consists of ATR 42’s, an ATR-72 and LET – 410’s. While most travellers to Tanzania see just clouds, you can see the plains of Kenya and the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Kilimanjaro. Always ask the staff which is the best side to sit on for their flight. I flew on the right hand side from Nairobi to Zanzibar and had a first class seat to view Mount Kilimanjaro. Staff are friendly and genuinely seem to be happy to see you aboard. This airline is a partner of Kenya Airways, so you can combine their flights with your adventures.