From the airport to the city centre Zanzibar Archipelago

Unguja Airport. Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is located 7 km south of Stone Town. It handles both domestic and international flights. The brand-new Terminal 2, which opened in 2022 and was built by Chinese Beijing Construction to the same design as Kilimanjaro Airport International, is now up to the challenge of the destination, with a capacity of 1.5 million passengers. The former micro-terminal has been relegated to domestic flights (in particular to Arusha and Dar es Saalam). Be sure to specify your destination to your cab, whether international or domestic. You'll find (in the international terminal): a shilling cash dispenser (in large denominations), a Sim card store open even if you arrive in the middle of the night next to the cab office, an exchange office and wifi.
The local airlines serving the island have their offices at the airport and offer fixed prices for one-way or return tickets to Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam or the capitals of bordering countries. Tickets can be purchased online. Tickets to Arusha cost from US$75 one way and US$200 return (as companies always sell safaris before Zanzibar, planes are full in one direction and empty in the other, and the ticket price is 4 times more expensive in one direction than the other as a result). Zanzibar > Dar es Salaam from US$ 50, Zanzibar > Pemba from US$ 90. Don't let porters take your luggage to the airport parking lot, especially if you haven't withdrawn any shillings or small change to tip.

Formalities. You are not required to have a yellow fever vaccination if you are coming from Europe or mainland Tanzania. However, if you are coming from another country in sub-Saharan Africa or Latin or Central America affected by yellow fever, or if you have spent more than 24 hours in one of these countries, it will be required. The single-entry visa, valid for 3 months and costing US$50, can be paid for directly on arrival by credit card, dollar or online e-visa prepayment (but at least 10 days in advance). Try to be among the first to get off the plane, as long-haul flights have long waiting times for formalities. For online e-visa applications, you still have to queue, but not in the same line as for on-site applications. The process is quicker, but there is a longer queue.

From/to the airport in Zanzibar, you can book a private transfer with your hotel or a local TO, or negotiate a cab, as official cab prices are double those on the island (Stone Town US$15, negotiate US$10, Paje or Nungwi US$65, negotiate US$35). There are bajaj waiting for you at the airport exit, costing US$3. You can hop on a local bus (dala dala) from the airport and easily reach the city center for around 1,000 TSH, but the new town is vast. If possible, get dropped off at the port, or in front of the public hospital at the entrance to the old town, or at the boundary between the old and new towns (on Benjamin Mkapa Road/Creek Road) and walk to your hotel.

By plane to/from Pemba. Unguja-Pemba flights are operated by Coastal Aviation, Tropical Air, Flight Link and Zanair. Located 7 km from Chake Chake, it's a tiny airport, with a small refreshment stand selling a few drinks and sweets on site. To get to Chake Chake from the airport, you'll need to take a cab, which will fetch a maximum of TSH 10,000. You'll be asked to pay at least TSH 40,000 for Mkoni or Wete, TSH 50,000 for Fundu Lagoon Resort and TSH 60,000 for Manta Reef Lodge.

By plane to/from Mafia. Airlines linking Zanzibar to Mafia, via Dar es Salaam, are : Coastal Aviation, Tropical Air and Auric Air. Return flights cost around US$200. Hotels usually take care of transfers to and from the airport (or, at worst, charge US$20). For those wishing to make their own way to a guesthouse, bajaj are waiting at the airfield, costing TSH 7,000 to KIlindoni and TSH 20,000 to Utende. There is also a dala dala from Kilindoni to Utende.

Arrival by boat Zanzibar Archipelago

By boat to/from Unguja and Pemba. Azam Marine (+255 242 231 655; www.azammarine.com) is the safest boat company to Dar es Salaam (ultra-fast new fleet, 1h30 crossing) or Pemba (slightly less new, but better than other companies). From US$ 35 per adult, US$ 10 per child in economy class, for both Dar and Pemba.
The port area of Malindi, north of Stone Town, is bustling with activity from morning to night. Here you can buy your boat tickets directly the day before for Dar es Salaam or Pemba (or buy your tickets online, which is easier).

Arrive an hour early to board. If you're in the old town, be careful not to get stuck in your car on the road to the port, as you'll lose an hour without being able to move. The locals know the boat times, so be sure to ask if you plan to take this street to the airport. On arrival on the island, you'll find a host of (rather sticky) commissioned agents offering their services, trying to lead you to hotels and agencies willing to pay them a commission.

By boat to/from Mafia. There's one big boat a day between Mafia (Kilindoni) and the coastal village of Nyamisati, but you should be aware that it's a real hassle, especially on the outward journey: you have to take a daytime dala dala from Dar es Salaam (from Mbagala Rangi Tatu station) for around 6,000 TSH, sleep on site at the port with all the people waiting for the boat amid thousands of mosquitoes (watch out for dengue fever and malaria) and get on the boat at 4 a.m. for a hectic 4-hour crossing during which many people get sick... Remember that the boats are overcrowded and with no security on board. Some have already sunk in the canal. On the way back, it's a little better: after the boat that leaves Kilindoni at 6 a.m. (still a 4-hour crossing, but safer that way), dala dala leave directly for Dar (a 4-5 hour journey) or for Bungu, if you're heading south towards Kilwa. To buy a ticket, go to the ferry office next to the port the day before or the day before Kilindoni. It will cost you TSH 30,000 return.
There's always an alternative way of arriving by water: take a dhow, for those brave enough. The best way is to leave Dar by matutu for Mtoni Mtongani. From there, cars (tarpaulins or 4×4 pick-ups) drive along the coast to Kisiju, south of Dar. The nearest mainland coast lies in the delta of the Rufiji River, inaccessible from the road between Dar and Mtwara. The dhow crossing takes around 24 hours and costs 5,000 TSH. As always, it's a bit risky because of the currents, but adventure is adventure!

Public transport Zanzibar Archipelago

En dala dala. Zanzibar's asphalt roads are becoming increasingly worn, especially the one to Nungwi. You can take a dala dala (local minibus), but it's moving! The fleet has been renewed with more modern vehicles in recent years. A network serves the island from north to south from Stone Town. Despite the speed of the vehicles, it still takes time to visit all the nooks and crannies of Zanzibar. A number on the hood indicates the destination. Here are the main ones, all departing from the Darajani bus station on Creek Road, which marks the eastern outskirts of the old town.

No. 116: Stone Town-Nungwi - No. 117: Stone Town-Kiwenga - No. 118: Stone Town- Matemwe - No. 121: Stone Town-Donge - No. 206: Stone Town-Chwaka - No. 214: Stone Town-Uroa - No. 309: Stone Town-Jambiani - No. 310: Stone Town-Makunduchi - N° 324: Stone Town-Bwejuu - N° 326: Stone Town- Kizimkazi - N° 501: Stone Town-Mtoni-Kidatu- Amani - N° 502: Stone Town-Bububu - N° 505: Stone Town-Airport-U-Ndege - N° 509: Stone Town-Chukwani.

In Mafia, a dala dala line runs from Kilindoni to Utende and another from Kilindoni to Bweni.

In Pemba, there are dala dala lines all over the island, but you'll need to find out directly where you're going, with connections at Chake Chake, particularly from the port of Mkoani

By bajaj and piki piki. In Stone Town and Paje, you'll find bajaj, practical three-wheelers that are cheaper than cabs and safer than motorcycles (piki piki). In Stone Town, they are located in front of the Tembo Hotel, just like cabs and pikipiki. Count 5,000 TSH for a ride in Stone Town. In Paje, they are located near the main traffic circle, serving Jambiani (10-15,000 TSH), Bwejuu (4,000 TSH) and even Michamvi Pingwe (8,000 TSH) and Michamvi Kae (15,000 TSH).

Bike, scooters & co Zanzibar Archipelago

In the coastal villages of Unguja, it is easy to rent bikes or scooters. Some lodges offer to rent wide-wheeled mountain bikes that can ride on the hard sand. Very convenient!

With a driver Zanzibar Archipelago

For private transfers by cab, you'll need to contact the tour operators or independent cab drivers directly. If you don't feel like the hassle, this is a good alternative to renting a car, firstly because you'll be spending your day on the beach, so arriving and leaving simply by cab isn't expensive. Secondly, there are day tours with transport included, which can be more economical than renting a car for occasional excursions. You can also combine transfers between major points on the island (Stone Town, Nungwi, Matemwe, Pajé) and rent a locally cheaper car for a few days only in Pajé or Nungwi. Cabs waiting for customers in Stone Town are willing to negotiate up to 30% off official prices. Negotiable prices (from Souleymane: +255 777 839 371, French-speaking guide reachable on WhatsApp): from/to Stone Town or airport for Paje, Jambiani, Nungwi, Matemwe, Kiwengwa: US$ 35, Nungwi - Paje US$ 35, Stone Town airport US$ 10.

By car Zanzibar Archipelago

Car rental. This is undoubtedly the best way to discover the island off the beaten track and get around a lot. You'll need an international or national driver's license, as well as official papers issued by the local police (which the agency will take care of for you the day before you rent the car - just stop by before you pick it up). Given the state of the island's roads and tracks, a small 4×4 is more appropriate (around US$50 per day), but you'll find cars locally, as in Jambiani or Matemwe, for US$25 per day. The police at the checkpoints are no longer obliged to bother tourists as they used to (when they tried to extort backshishi), which is excellent news. Make sure you put on your indicators, wear your seatbelt, respect the speed limits and remember to bring the telephone number of the 4×4 rental agency's owner with you, just in case, and you'll have no problems. The rental companies are serious and the 4×4s are in good condition, and most hotels have a closed and guarded parking lot.

Scooter and motorcycle hire. Scooters and small, handy motorcycles are available for around US$20 a day in Stone Town, Nungwi, Pajé and Jambiani, the main tourist centers. Please note that a local driving licence (US$10) is also required for two-wheeled vehicles. Your rental company will normally have prepared this for you in advance.