Zanzibar Airport Transfer: Private Taxi & Hotel Pickup

Skip the Taxi Scramble at Zanzibar Airport

You get picked up at Zanzibar Airport or your hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver who knows the island. The transfer includes all fees and taxes, works for solo travelers through large groups, and takes you directly to your destination without stops. Book in advance and the price is fixed: no haggling, no surprises when you arrive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zanzibar Airport to Hotel Transfer

• Book private taxi service
• Arrive at Zanzibar Airport
• Meet driver for pickup
• Travel in air-conditioned vehicle
• Reach hotel or destination

The experience

That moment when you land and suddenly have to figure out how to get to your hotel. It's the thing nobody thinks about until it's happening. A private transfer takes that off your hands. You book ahead, a driver meets you at arrivals with your name, and you're in an air-conditioned car heading to Stone Town or the beach before you've even checked your phone for messages. The vehicle fits your group, whether it's just you or a party of twenty, and the price is locked in before you arrive, so there's no negotiation at the curb.

The driver knows Zanzibar, not just the main roads, but which routes work depending on the time of day, where the traffic stalls, and how to get you to Mnemba Island, Mikumi, or anywhere else on the island without the usual back-and-forth. It's a locally-owned operation, which means the money stays in the community and you're not feeding into a chain. The car is modern, seats are spacious, and there's room for luggage without playing Tetris. Air conditioning works. That matters more than it sounds when you're arriving in the heat and just want to sit still for a bit.

Transfers run between the airport and hotels across the island: north, south, east coast, wherever you're staying. You can also book a ride from your hotel to an excursion, or between two locations on the island if you're moving around. The booking is straightforward: pick your pickup point, your drop-off, and confirm. They track your flight if you're coming from the airport, so if you land early or late, they adjust. No stress about timing or finding the right person in a crowd.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• one-way transfer from airport or hotel to any destination on Zanzibar.
• all fees and taxes included in the quoted price.
• local driver with knowledge of the island and current traffic conditions.

Options for this experience

15 options

Airport to Stone Town HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 15 minutes. The distance from the airport to Zanzibar city (Stone Town hotels) is about 7 to 8 km, which equals 15 to 20 minutes. Pickup is included

Airport to Kiwengwa HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 46 minutes. The distance from the airport or Zanzibar city (Stone Town hotels) is about 30.9 km, which equals 35 to 46 minutes. Alphard transfer from Zanzibar airport (Amani Abeid Karume International Airport) to any hotel in Kiwengwa, or the reverse. Pickup is included

Stone Town/Airport to JambianiNo fixed timeDuration: 1 hour 1 minute. The distance from the airport or Zanzibar city (Stone Town hotels) is about 55.8 to 63.6 km, which equals 50 to 61 minutes. Toyota Alphard transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between the airport or Stone Town hotels and Jambiani. Pickup is included

See 12 more options

Airport to Matemwe HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 43 minutes. Toyota Alphard transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between the airport or Stone Town hotels and Matemwe. Pickup is included

Airport to Nungwi HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 1 hour 12 minutes. Nungwi is in the northern region of Zanzibar, about 63.5 km from Zanzibar airport. Toyota Alphard transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between the airport or Stone Town hotels and Nungwi. Pickup is included

Airport to Michamvi HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 1 hour. Toyota Alphard transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between the airport or Stone Town hotels and Michamvi. Pickup is included

Airport to Kizimkazi HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 1 hour 13 minutes. The distance from the airport or Zanzibar city (Stone Town hotels) is about 60.4 to 68.1 km, which equals 60 to 73 minutes. Toyota Alphard transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between the airport or Stone Town hotels and Kizimkazi. Pickup is included

Airport to Makunduchi HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 1 hour 15 minutes. The distance from the airport or Zanzibar city (Stone Town hotels) is about 48 km, which equals 63 to 75 minutes. Toyota Alphard transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between the airport or Stone Town hotels and Makunduchi. Pickup is included

Airport to Pwani MchanganiNo fixed timeDuration: 44 minutes. The distance from the airport or Zanzibar city (Stone Town hotels) is about 34 km, which equals 35 to 44 minutes. Alphard transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between Stone Town and Pwani Mchangani hotels, or the reverse. Pickup is included

Airport to Paje HotelsNo fixed timeDuration: 40 minutes. It takes 60 minutes from the airport. Alphard or minivan transfer: this option applies to pickup or drop-off between the airport or Stone Town hotels and Paje. Pickup is included

Stone Town/Airport - BwejuuNo fixed timeDuration: 2 days 3 hours. Pickup is included

Stone Town/Airport to UroaNo fixed timeDuration: 42 minutes. Pickup is included

Nungwi to Matemwe Hotel(s)No fixed timeDuration: 35 minutes. Pickup is included

Transfers From North to SouthNo fixed timeDuration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Alphard transfer from the south of Zanzibar island to the north or the reverse, for example Michamvi–Nungwi or Paje–Matemwe, and so on. Pickup is included

Full-day transfers in ZanzibarNo fixed timeDuration: 12 hours. Alphard transfer from the north of Zanzibar island to the south or the reverse, for example Michamvi–Nungwi or Paje–Matemwe, and so on. Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Riser tours and safaris Zanzibar

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to arrive without the hassle of finding a taxi, negotiating a price, or figuring out unfamiliar routes. The driver handles navigation and timing, so you can step out of the airport and into your holiday.

Top questions

Do you offer airport pickup if my flight arrives late at night?

Yes. The service operates from Zanzibar Airport to hotels across the island at any arrival time. Book in advance and provide your flight details. The driver will track your landing and adjust pickup timing accordingly.

What if I'm traveling with a large group?

The service accommodates groups from 1 to 21 passengers. Pricing is transparent and scales with group size, so you can book one vehicle or multiple depending on your party.

Can I book a transfer between two hotels or to an excursion location?

Yes. The service covers multi-destination transfers across Zanzibar: hotel to hotel, hotel to airport, hotel to Mnemba Island, Mikumi, or any other location on the island.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes. All vehicles in the fleet are modern, air-conditioned, and equipped with ample legroom and luggage space.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation, the vehicle, driver, all fees and taxes. The price is fixed at booking, with no additional charges at pickup or drop-off.

Do I need to arrange anything else, or is the transfer completely handled?

The transfer is completely handled. You book your pickup and drop-off locations, and the driver manages the rest: no additional arrangements needed.