When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Zanzibar?
Due to being located so closely to the equator, Zanzibar experiences constant warm temperature which range from 28 to 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year. March to May is the monsoon season, making it the best time for cheap fights to Zanzibar. With Netflights you can compare prices of return flights month-by-month to find the best deals for Zanzibar.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Zanzibar?
The best time to book flights to Zanzibar is two to four months in advance of your departure. This will provide the biggest selection of routes, airlines and prices. May and June, and September to mid-December can be great times to visit, as they fall outside the monsoon season and the peak European holiday season. Keep an eye out for last-minute flights throughout the year.
Flying to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport ZNZ
Previously Kisauni Airport, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is the main airport for the Zanzibar archipelago on Unguja Island, around five kilometres south of the city. Find flights to Zanzibar with popular airlines such as British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Kenyan Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airway and Turkish Airlines. These depart from major UK airports like London Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport. While there are no direct flights to ZNZ, you can find one-stop return flights with British Airways, Oman Air and Qatar Airways. Most Zanzibar flights require two stopovers in cities on the African subcontinent or the Middle East, like Addis Ababa, Doha and Salalah. They may also include UK cities such as London and Manchester, and other European cities like Amsterdam and Paris.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) consists of two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is currently in use for all incoming Zanzibar flights and has limited facilities. A newer Terminal 2 is under construction and is due to open sometime in 2018. Terminal 1 has limited facilities but includes Wi-Fi, a café/restaurant and shop, as well as a money exchange counter.
Getting to the City Abeid Amani Karume International Airport ZNZ
It takes less than ten minutes to get from Zanzibar Airport to the city centre. Private transfers can be arranged ahead of your arrival by your hotel, this is the most convenient way to get to your accommodation. Taxis can be found outside the airport but do not use a meter. It is therefore advisable to negotiate the cost with the driver before your journey.
Why Visit Zanzibar?
Lying close to the equator, the Zanzibar archipelago offers endless white-sand and turquoise-sea beaches, with a blend of calm waters and windy waves to satisfy travellers looking for anything from lazy beach days to water sport-filled holidays. Zanzibar is, however, more than just a picture-perfect stretch of sand. Its capital, Stone Town, is a UNESCO-protected heritage site. The lively and vibrant city is a warren-like maze of historic houses and home to an unhurried, much unchanged way of life.
There is an abundance of nightlife here, as well as miles of silent beaches and the chance to take boat trips out to the Indian Ocean for snorkelling and diving. The waterfront restaurants at Forodhani Gardens are ideal people-watching spots and those who hear the call of the wild will find the island’s tropical jungles irresistible. If you want to catch a glimpse of a new culture, to peer back through time and get a great dose of sun, sand and sea, Zanzibar is a must-visit destination in 2018.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
All travellers entering Tanzania with a British passport will need a visa before leaving. Single-entry tourist or business visas are possible to obtain via the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs and are usually processed within one business day. Most visas are valid for three months. Passports need to be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of visa application. The Tanzanian Shilling is available at the currency exchange service at Zanzibar Airport, but it’s advisable to bring enough with you for your onward journey in case of any issues at the airport.
