The ferry from Dar es Salaam
Several companies link Dar es Salaam and Stone Town: comparison sites list Azam Marine, Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries and Zan Fast Ferries. The crossing takes about an hour according to one comparison site, up to about 1 h 20 according to another; the sea and the company change the duration. According to one comparison site the first departure from Zanzibar is at 7:00 and the last at 16:00, but another counts only two crossings a day on average: check the timetable for your date on the company's website.
| Source consulted | One-way price noted |
|---|---|
| Comparison site A (March 2026) | about 31 to 70 euros |
| Comparison site B | about 70 to 217 euros, excluding service fees |
| Comparison site C | from about 43 dollars (Zan Fast Ferries) |
These figures do not agree: keep only an order of magnitude and buy the ticket from the company. Keep your passport at hand and arrive at the port early. For onward travel from the terminal, see from the airport to your hotel (taxi journeys are the same as from the airport).
Taxis
Taxis have no meter: you agree the price before leaving, with the currency and the number of bags. According to guides, a ride between the airport and Stone Town costs about 10 to 20 dollars, a taxi between Stone Town and the northern beaches (Nungwi, Kendwa) about 35 to 50 dollars according to one guide, and an inter-town ride 25 to 30 dollars according to a forum. A driver for a full day is around 100 dollars. A driver booked by your hotel avoids haggling, see scams and safety in Zanzibar.
Dala-dalas
The dala-dala is the cheapest local transport: about 500 shillings for a short ride and 3,000 for a long one, such as Stone Town to Nungwi or to Paje, according to one guide. Stops are not always marked and the conductor collects the fare during the ride: keep small change. There are connections via Stone Town, the ride is slow and poorly suited to large luggage. To grasp the distances, see the Stone Town page and the Nungwi and Kendwa guide.
Scooters and motorbikes
A scooter rents for about 25 to 30 dollars a day and a motorbike 35 to 40 dollars according to a travel guide. Sources conflict on the licence: check the current rules and your insurance with the rental company before riding. Roads are sometimes in poor condition and guides rate the driving as unsafe, with frequent accidents: wear a helmet and avoid riding at night. For the east coast, see kitesurfing in Paje.
Which option for which trip
| Trip | Simple option | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam to Stone Town | Fast ferry | about 1 h to 1 h 20 |
| Airport to hotel | Taxi or private transfer | price fixed in advance |
| Stone Town to Nungwi or Paje | Taxi, driver or dala-dala | about an hour or more |
| Excursion (Jozani, Prison Island) | Excursion with transfer | saves handling the return |
| Nearby beach | Walking, scooter, taxi | depending on the tide |
Pour aller plus loin
For the transport budget, see Zanzibar travel budget. To choose your area, read where to stay in Zanzibar, and for an organised stay, Zanzibar in 7 days.
