Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) at a glance
Zanzibar Airport is officially Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, with the code ZNZ. It serves Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar, and almost every beach trip, Stone Town stay and island tour starts here. Some airlines use Terminal 3 for their flights. Your flight documents decide which terminal you use, so check them before you land.
Your first decision is how to reach your coast. Distances on Unguja are modest, but the price of a taxi changes a lot between Stone Town and the north or east. Before you book anything on the ground, it helps to see the prices in one place. If you would rather have your days organised from the start, compare Zanzibar tours and excursions and arrange the airport pick-up with your accommodation.
Taxi and transfer from Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)
Prices per taxi, one way, for 1 to 7 passengers (2026).
| From the airport to | Price in US dollars | Same list in shillings |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Town | $15 | TZS 40,000 |
| Fumba and Jozani | $45 | TZS 120,000 |
| Paje | $50 | TZS 133,000 |
| Kiwengwa and Pongwe | $50 | TZS 133,000 |
| Matemwe | $60 | TZS 160,000 |
| Nungwi and Kendwa | $65 | TZS 173,000 |
| Jambiani | $65 | TZS 173,000 |
| Michamvi | $70 | TZS 186,000 |
The price is for the whole taxi, not per person, so a group of seven pays the same as one traveller. There is no official meter tariff on the island, so treat these as typical fares and confirm the price with the driver. The shilling column depends on the exchange rate. Agree the price and the destination before you get in, and say the name of your accommodation clearly.
Booking the taxi
The airport taxi service has a staffed desk at the airport, accepts bookings online and by phone, and works around the clock. Booking ahead helps if you land late at night or travel with a large group.
Journey times
Times depend on traffic, road works and the hour, and they are longer to the north and east coasts than to Stone Town. Leave a buffer on the day you fly out and do not plan a tight connection after a road transfer.
Stone Town and the ferry
If you continue to Stone Town, the Stone Town guide explains getting from the airport to Stone Town in detail. For the harbour and the sea link from the mainland, see its ferry guide.
Our pick: an airport transfer
A per-person arrival transfer to your hotel with taxes and fees already in the price.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Zanzibar tours and day trips
Dhow trips, Jozani Forest, dolphin watching, spice farms and Stone Town walks, with live prices and availability.
Car rental and parking
What to know if you want to drive from the airport.
Left-hand traffic and permits
Traffic drives on the left. Besides your own driving licence you need a local Zanzibar driving permit, which the rental company can arrange. Travellers from Germany need an international licence together with their national licence. Details are on the car rental page.
Roads and fuel
Roads can be poor and get worse in the rain. Fuel stations are not found in every village, so fill up in the larger towns before a long drive. Avoid driving at night outside the bigger towns.
Police checks
Police checks are frequent. If you are fined, you receive a control number for the payment and you do not pay on the road.
Parking at the airport
Parking rates, free minutes and pick-up rules at ZNZ are best confirmed with your rental company or your accommodation before you travel. If someone collects you, agree the meeting point in advance.
For most visitors who stay on one coast, a taxi at an agreed price plus a few organised trips is simpler than a rental car. A rental car suits travellers who move between coasts and are comfortable with left-hand traffic.
Before you leave the terminal
Entry, money and onward flights.
Visa and insurance
The Tanzanian eVisa covers Zanzibar and the mainland, and the state travel insurance is mandatory. Read the visa and insurance guide before you fly so you can show your documents at the desk.
Money
The currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Fees for visitors are often quoted in US dollars, and markets, food and local transport usually in shillings. Always check which currency a price is in.
Onward to Pemba
The flight timetable valid from April 2026 has a Zanzibar to Pemba flight from 15:20 to 15:50, a scheduled 30 minutes. See the Pemba guide for what to do there.
Flights to the mainland parks
Scheduled flights (timetable of April 2026) connect Zanzibar with Selous and several Serengeti airstrips. The safari page explains how these trips are put together, and the Serengeti guide covers the route from the island.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go after you land.
Zanzibar Airport: frequently asked questions
What is the airport code for Zanzibar?
The code is ZNZ. The full name is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport.
How much is a taxi from Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town?
The price is $15 per taxi, one way, or TZS 40,000 (2026). It covers the whole taxi for 1 to 7 passengers.
How much is a taxi to Nungwi or Paje?
Prices are $65 (TZS 173,000) to Nungwi and Kendwa and $50 (TZS 133,000) to Paje, per taxi, one way (2026). Jambiani is $65 and Matemwe $60.
Can I book an airport transfer in advance?
Yes. The airport taxi service takes online and phone bookings and works around the clock. Your accommodation can also arrange a pick-up.
Do I need a local permit to drive a rental car?
Yes. You need a local Zanzibar driving permit in addition to your own licence, and the rental company can arrange it. Traffic drives on the left.
Which terminal does my flight use?
Some airlines use Terminal 3. Your flight documents show the terminal, so check them before you land.