Abeid Amani Karume International Airport transfer
This page covers private transfers from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) to Stone Town and to the beach villages of Zanzibar’s north and east coasts. You see the total price before booking, and a local transfer company meets you in the arrivals area with a name sign.
- Airport code
- ZNZ
- City
- Zanzibar
- Route guides
- 4
The airport sits on the west side of Unguja, the main island, just south of Stone Town. Almost every beach area is on the opposite coast or at the far northern tip, so most hotel transfers take between one and one and a half hours.
Transfers from this airport
Arriving at Zanzibar Airport
International flights to Zanzibar arrive directly from Europe, the Middle East and East Africa, and there are frequent short connections from Dar es Salaam and Arusha. After landing you go through immigration and collect your luggage before entering the arrivals area. When several long-haul flights land close together, passport control can take a while.
Your driver waits at the meeting point in arrivals with a name sign. The local provider confirms the exact spot with you by phone or WhatsApp before or on arrival. If you add your flight number when booking, the provider can follow the actual landing time, so a delay does not leave you without a car.
Zanzibar requires foreign visitors to hold a government inbound travel insurance, bought online before the trip, in addition to the usual Tanzanian entry rules. Check the current requirements with official sources before you fly, as they can change.
Where Zanzibar Airport transfers go
- Stone Town
- The historic old town is about 7 km away, roughly 13–17 minutes by car. Many lanes are too narrow for vehicles, so drop-off is at the nearest street a car can reach.
- Nungwi and Kendwa
- The northern tip, 62–63 km away and usually 78–102 minutes. The sea here stays swimmable at most states of the tide, and the beaches face the sunset.
- Paje and Jambiani
- The south-east coast, 49–56 km and about 64–93 minutes. Wide tidal lagoons, kitesurfing in Paje and village life with seaweed farming in Jambiani.
- Matemwe and Kiwengwa
- The north-east coast, 44–49 km and about 60–84 minutes. Kiwengwa has many larger resorts, while Matemwe is quieter and faces Mnemba Atoll.
- Michamvi
- A narrow peninsula on the east side, 67 km and about 80–100 minutes. Its western shore looks over Chwaka Bay towards the sunset.
How long do transfers take on Zanzibar?
Drive times on Zanzibar are longer than the kilometres suggest. Roads pass through many villages with speed bumps and low speed limits, and routine traffic police checks on the main roads are normal.
As a rule of thumb, Stone Town takes under 20 minutes, Kiwengwa, Paje and Matemwe around an hour or a little more, and Nungwi, Kendwa, Jambiani and Michamvi up to about one hour forty. The agreed price does not change if the drive takes longer.
Choosing a vehicle
A private car suits one to three travellers with normal luggage. Families and groups of up to about seven usually take a minivan, which also has room for bulky bags. Larger vehicles can be requested for bigger groups.
Child seats can be requested when booking. Kitesurfing gear for Paje, diving equipment and other sports bags should be declared when you book, so that a vehicle with enough space is sent.
Seasons and tides
The main travel periods are June to October and December to February, with the Christmas and New Year weeks especially busy. The long rains usually fall from about March to May and shorter rains around November.
On the east coast the sea withdraws far at low tide and swimming depends on the hour. In Nungwi and Kendwa the tidal effect is much smaller, which is why many travellers who want to swim at any time choose the north.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Zanzibar Airport from the beaches?
Stone Town is about 7 km from the airport. The east-coast beaches are 44–67 km away and the northern tip around 62–63 km, which usually means a drive of one to one and three quarter hours.
Is the transfer price fixed?
Yes. The total price is shown and agreed before you book and does not change because of traffic or a delayed flight. Payment is made through HotelTaxi.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Share your flight number when you book. The local provider follows your arrival time and the driver adjusts to when you actually land.
Is the transfer shared with other passengers?
No. The vehicle is booked only for you and your group, and it drives directly to your accommodation without stops at other hotels.
Which area should I choose for swimming?
Nungwi and Kendwa in the north have the smallest tidal effect, so swimming is possible at most times of day. On the east coast, from Matemwe to Jambiani, swimming depends on the tide, but the lagoons are wide and calm.