Cheap flights to Zanzibar
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Quick summary
Country
Tanzania
Continent
Africa
Airport
ZNZ
Currency
Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Time zone
UTC+3
Deals already spotted to Zanzibar
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Identity
A Swahili trading post turned postcard beach destination
This Zanzibar travel guide has to start with a small correction: Zanzibar isn't one island but an archipelago, and Unguja — often just called "Zanzibar Island" — is the main one, with Stone Town as its historic core and former capital of the 19th-century Sultanate of Zanzibar. As a trading hub for spices, ivory and, for a long stretch of its history, enslaved people between Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India, the old town kept a maze of narrow lanes, houses with carved wooden balconies and ornate doors that blend Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences — an urban ensemble that's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Getting there
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, the gateway to the archipelago
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
About 8 km south of Stone Town, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by road.
Fast ferries also connect Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam in just over two hours, for travellers combining both stops.
Not to miss
Stone Town, from the House of Wonders to Darajani market
The House of Wonders, the former ceremonial palace of Sultan Barghash built in 1883, was one of the first buildings in East Africa fitted with electricity and an elevator — it still dominates the waterfront today, even after a partial collapse in 2020 that's currently being repaired. Right next door, the 17th-century Old Fort, built by Omani forces over the ruins of a Portuguese chapel, now hosts craft markets and open-air concerts. Darajani covered market remains the old town's beating heart: fresh fish, spices sold loose and tropical fruit change hands there from first light.
Freddie Mercury and the Forodhani Gardens
Born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town in 1946, the future Queen frontman spent his early childhood in these same lanes before his family left the island; a house-museum near the market is now dedicated to him. As evening falls, Forodhani Gardens, right on the waterfront in front of the Old Fort, turn into a buzzing night food market — grilled octopus skewers, samosas and tamarind toffee are all part of the ritual, shared between residents and travellers watching the sunset.
In pictures
Stone Town's waterfront, up close
Beyond Stone Town
Northern beaches and a spice-tasting detour
About an hour's drive north of Stone Town, Nungwi and Kendwa have the whitest sand and the clearest turquoise water on the archipelago, and are far less affected by tides than the rest of the east coast — they're also where most sunset dhow trips and snorkeling excursions out to Mnemba Island depart from. Inland, the well-known spice tours take visitors through a working plantation of spices and tropical fruit (clove, cinnamon, vanilla, ylang-ylang), often wrapped up with a local cooking lesson — a nod to the archipelago's old nickname, the Spice Island.
Jozani, home of the red colobus
Southeast of Stone Town, the Jozani-Chwaka Bay forest, the island's only national park, shelters the Zanzibar red colobus, an endangered endemic primate that can be spotted in the wild on a short guided walk through the canopy.
When to go
When to visit Zanzibar?
June to October
The cool dry season and the busiest: calm seas, clear skies and excellent snorkeling visibility.
December to February
Hot and dry, with warm water — a second high season, especially popular around the holidays.
March to May
The long rains (masika), with frequent tropical downpours — many places close or drop their rates significantly.
November
The short rains (vuli), usually brief, just before the high season returns.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Zanzibar
What's the airport for reaching Zanzibar?
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), about 8 km south of Stone Town.
How much does a flight to Zanzibar usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
Are Stone Town and the northern beaches easy to combine?
Yes, Nungwi and Kendwa are about an hour's drive from Stone Town, which makes it easy to pair cultural sightseeing with a beach stay on a single trip.
Do I need to book a spice tour in advance?
It's usually not necessary — most hotels and local agencies can arrange one with a day's notice — but booking ahead avoids any surprises during high season.
How do I get to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam?
Fast ferries connect the two cities in just over two hours, several times a day, in addition to direct flights between the two airports.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Zanzibar drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Zanzibar as the destination and your maximum budget. You'll be notified automatically the moment a matching price is detected.
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