Zanzibar Airport transport is cash-based, negotiation-driven, and priced in US dollars. There is no public transport, no metered taxi, and no ride-hailing app. There is also no published or regulated taxi tariff - the Zanzibar Airports Authority confirms no official fare schedule exists for airport taxis. Every price is a negotiation or a pre-agreed booking, so there is no authoritative number to quote here; instead, this page explains how the pricing works so you can negotiate fairly.
How prices scale by destination
Stone Town (5 km) is the shortest run and the cheapest, whether by negotiated taxi or transfer. Bububu and Mangapwani (about 15 km) cost more. The beach resort areas - Kiwengwa (about 40 km), Paje and Jambiani (45-50 km), Kendwa (about 55 km), and Nungwi (about 60 km) - are the longest drives and cost the most, roughly in that order. Ask your hotel or a transfer provider for the current going rate to your specific destination before you land; rates move with fuel prices and season, so a number written here would go stale.
What drivers initially ask
The first price a taxi driver offers is rarely the final price - opening offers are commonly well above what the ride should cost. This is the standard negotiation culture. It is not personal and drivers expect you to counter.
How to negotiate fairly
Ask your hotel or a local contact for the approximate going rate before you land, since there is no official tariff to check against. State your destination and offer your price. If the driver says no, thank them and move to the next one. In most cases, the original driver or another will accept a fair offer.
Do not feel pressured to accept the first price. Multiple drivers are competing for your fare. At the same time, understand that fuel is expensive in Zanzibar, and the drive to Nungwi genuinely takes 75 minutes or more. A fair price respects both sides.
Why transfer prices are competitive
Unlike airports with metered taxis where transfers cost more, Zanzibar transfers are often priced at or below what a well-negotiated taxi would cost. Transfer companies set competitive, fixed prices because they compete for online bookings, while airport taxi drivers set high opening prices because they face a captive audience.
For longer distances, a transfer can actually be cheaper than a taxi because the driver is not adding a speculative margin for the return trip.
Payment
US dollars in cash are the standard payment method for airport taxis. Some drivers accept Tanzanian Shillings but at an unfavorable exchange rate. Pre-booked transfers are typically paid online or on arrival by card.
ATMs at the airport exist but are unreliable. Bring dollars with you. Small bills ($10, $20) make negotiation and payment easier.
Tips
- Ask your hotel or transfer provider for the current fair price for your destination before you land
- Carry small USD bills to avoid the "no change" problem
- For Stone Town, the cost is low enough that negotiation is a formality
- For beach resorts, the cost is significant enough that a pre-booked transfer provides real value
- Ask your hotel about transfers before booking separately; many include or arrange transport
Transport costs in Zanzibar are reasonable by international standards, but the negotiation process makes them feel higher than they need to be. Knowing the going rate, or having a price agreed in advance, is the simplest way to pay fairly.