Aerial view of Kendwa Beach in Zanzibar with turquoise water, white sand, catamarans and a palm-lined shore.

Flights

Flights to Zanzibar

Zanzibar's airport (ZNZ) connects through East African and Gulf hubs — here is how to get there from the major gateways.

Zanzibar is served by Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), just outside Stone Town. Only a handful of long-haul carriers fly in directly; most travellers connect through a regional or Gulf hub — Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Doha, or Dubai — before the short final hop to the island.

These route guides break down the realistic options, connecting airports, and approximate journey times from the cities that send the most visitors to Zanzibar, so you can plan the smoothest way to reach the beach.

A local Zanzibari woman in a colourful kanga gathering a fishing net on a sunlit tidal beach.

Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar

A 20-minute flight or 2-hour ferry connects Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. Multiple carriers and ferries run daily.

Two Maasai men in red shuka robes walking along a white-sand Zanzibar beach with wooden dhow boats offshore.

Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar Flights

Fly from Kilimanjaro (JRO) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) in about 1h15–1h30. Perfect for bush-and-beach combos after a Tanzania safari.

The weathered stone ramparts of the Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar, under a blue sky.

London to Zanzibar Flights

No direct London to Zanzibar service exists. Connect via Doha, Dubai, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa for a 12–16 hour total journey.

Nairobi to Zanzibar Flights

Fly from Nairobi (NBO) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) in about 1h15. Kenya Airways operates the most frequent service via JKIA.

A traveller relaxing on a sunbed beneath a thatched palm umbrella on a quiet Zanzibar beach.

New York to Zanzibar Flights

New York to Zanzibar takes 20–24+ hours via Gulf, European, or African hubs. No nonstop exists; plan for 1–2 connections.