Zanzibar flights – options for flights to Zanzibar from Europe or USA

Flights to Zanzibar

International flight routes to Zanzibar

We help organise the flights to Zanzibar for many of our travellers, and are sometimes able to access preferential rates. However, if you choose to arrange your own flights (e.g. booking with airline bonus schemes) to the Zanzibar archipelago, that's also fine. If that is your choice, we are still happy make all your ground arrangements in Zanzibar itself.

Starting from London

Although there are currently no direct flights between London and Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam, there are several options via other international airports.

A few airlines fly in to Zanzibar itself, avoiding the need to transfer in Dar es Salaam. Qatar Airways can work particularly well here. You can depart London Heathrow in the evening, change flights in Doha, and fly in to Zanzibar with an arrival time of around 14.20. If you are hoping to avoid light aircraft flights, this could be a good choice.

Qatar Airways also flies to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro, which makes it very easy to combine time on Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari. You can fly in to Tanzania and depart from Zanzibar on the same return ticket.

Another option would be to fly with Kenya Airways, with a transfer at Nairobi. You would then depart London Heathrow in the afternoon and arrive in Zanzibar at around 10.00 the following morning.

Alternatively you could choose to fly in to Dar es Salaam, then transfer by light aircraft to Zanzibar. You would be met at the international airport and transferred to the domestic airport, where you would then hop onto a light aircraft for the 20-minute flight to Zanzibar Stone Town Airport. Flights between Dar and Zanzibar operate daily and are very frequent, typically every hour or two. The first flight leaves Dar around 07.30 in the morning; the last flight at 18.00 in the evening.

It is also possible to fly to Zanzibar from a number of other places in Tanzania, including Arusha, Manyara, Ruaha, the Serengeti, the Selous, Pemba and Mafia Island; daily flights operate for all these routes. Most of these flights will require a change in Dar, but quick connections mean that they are ideal if you want to add a Zanzibar beach holiday to your safari in Tanzania.

Although not quite as frequent as the flights from Dar es Salaam, there are around five flights a day from Nairobi to Zanzibar Stone Town, with the first departing at 07.30 and the last just before midnight.

From Stone Town, most lodges can be reached by road transfer, although Chumbe Island Lodge and Mnemba Island Lodge demand further boat transport.

Starting from the USA

From the United States of America, you have two different options for your flight arrangements:

1) You organise your flights USA -> London and London -> USA for yourself.
Expert Africa arranges the London -> your Zanzibar lodge and your Zanzibar lodge -> London flights and transfers for you.

We have access to preferential rates on flights between the UK and Africa, which allows us to utilise low add-on tariffs for internal flights within Africa – linked to your international flight ticket from the USA. However, you need to be sure that you have more than enough connecting time between planes at London Heathrow Airport; we recommend a minimum of two hours.

2) You arrange your own flights USA -> Tanzania and Tanzania -> USA, either via the UK or on another route, and inform us of the flight times, and of your flight carriers.
Expert Africa organises your travels in Tanzania for you, including any smaller flights, as well as road and boat transfers within the Zanzibar Archipelago.

If you choose this second option, then we strongly suggest that you book all connecting flights at the same time. It's best to do this with the same company from whom you bought your intercontinental flight tickets. This way, should one of your 'connecting' flights be delayed or cancelled, the airlines involved will take responsibility for getting you to your destination as soon as possible.

Flights to the rest of Africa

For more information on flights, please see our webpage on International flights to Africa.
Click on the links below to read specific information about flights to each of our other African destinations:

► Flights to Botswana
► Flights to Malawi
► Flights to Mozambique
► Flights to Namibia
► Flights to Rwanda
► Flights to Seychelles
► Flights to South Africa
► Flights to Tanzania
► Flights to Zambia
► Flights to Zimbabwe

Our top picks for holidays to Zanzibar

We'll always tailor-make your Beach for you. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.

Masala Beach Holiday

9 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Two luxuriously elegant hotels offer relaxation on Zanzibar’s beach-front and exploration of Stone Town. Combine peaceful tranquility with fine dining, indulgent comforts and vibrant culture.

US$6,500 - US$9,560 per person

Turmeric Beach Holiday

7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Relax on powdery white beaches and snorkel over colourful reefs on Zanzibar’s picturesque east coast before heading on to Stone Town to explore the labyrinth of cobbled streets.

US$2,330 - US$3,750 per person

Papaya Beach Holiday

7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

A relaxing holiday with a range of activities, where Chumbe Island Lodge and Matemwe offer tranquil atmospheres, considerable exclusivity and the chance to learn about worthwhile local conservation efforts.

US$2,870 - US$4,370 per person

Red Colobus Monkey Safari

11 days • 3 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

This luxury holiday suggestion combines a wildlife safari in Ruaha National Park with a week on Zanzibar, exploring Stone Town’s narrow streets and relaxing on a palm-shaded beach.

US$6,230 - US$8,490 per person

Turaco Safari

12 days • 4 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

This top-value holiday idea combines two safari areas with a week on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar. Photograph lions and elephants, then relax under the palms on a powder-sand beach.

US$5,730 - US$6,830 per person

Coconut Beach Holiday

6 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

A luxurious island getaway split between a small boutique hotel in Stone Town and your own sumptuous private villa on a spectacular swath of white sandy beach.

US$2,400 - US$4,980 per person

Regal Sunbird Fly-in Safari

12 days • 5 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Experience the highlights of Tanzania with a safari in the country’s famous northern parks followed by historic Stone Town and the palm-fringed beaches of Zanzibar, staying in high-quality accommodation throughout.

US$9,850 - US$16,370 per person

Dik Dik Safari

12 days • 4 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Combine safari with peace and relaxation on Zanzibar’s white-sand shores during this exploration of Tanzania. Stay in three high-quality sister camps within Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park before concluding with a stay on Michamvi Peninsula.

US$9,850 - US$15,130 per person

View all holidays in Zanzibar

Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?

Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure

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