Zanzibar has quite a dense network of local buses, which are called dala dala. However, this mode of transport is more for the adventurous.

Most tourists get around Zanzibar by taxi or tuk tuk. It is also possible to rent a car.

Car rental

Driving on Zanzibar is on the left.

Since travelling by car in Zanzibar has quite a lot of specifics compared to other tourist destinations, I describe my personal experience in the chapter Car rental Zanzibar.

If you don't know how to bargain or are not assertive, renting a car will always cost you more in bribes and "gifts" to police checks, which are very common in Zanzibar (I was stopped by the police 5 times while crossing the island!)

Organized transfers

If you're heading to Zanzibar mainly for a beach holiday, it's worth travelling on organised transfers through local tour operators.

These offer a large number of excursions, boat trips and other activities, which we cover in detail in the What to do in Zanzibar chapter.

The excursions always include any transfers you choose. The most common option is that a car or minibus will pick you up at the agreed time directly at your hotel and take you back to your hotel when the trip is over.

I have always booked these trips through the comparison site getyourguide.com, where all the relevant Zanzibar tour operators operate.

Taxi, motorbike (boda) or tuk tuk (bajaj)

If you want to go on your own, the most convenient way to travel is by taxi. You can choose the cheaper option of tuk tuk or motorbikes.

Taxi

Official taxis in Zanzibar are modern and always air-conditioned. The cars are white with a small red sign on the side or a "taxi" sign behind the windscreen.

The downside with taxis is that there are no meters in Zanzibar and therefore you always have to haggle over the price.

Fixed prices are only when travelling from the airport.

The price level of taxis in Zanzibar is very high! The shortest distances (2-5 km) are usually not negotiated under 10 usd to 15 usd.

Crossing the island for longer distances - for example from Nungwi to Stone Town - will cost between 60 usd and 80 usd.

Taxis can only be paid for with cash and taxi drivers prefer US dollars or Euros, however payment in Tanzanian shillings is also no problem.

Taxi ranks tend to be outside large hotels or in the centres of all resorts. If you are in a hurry, it is convenient to arrange to call a taxi through the hotel reception.

Bajaj

In Zanzibar, tuk tuk, which is called "bajaj" in Tanzania, is ubiquitous.

Driving with them is significantly less comfortable than a taxi and if you are travelling with large luggage, then bajaj is definitely not recommended.

On the other hand, you should always be able to negotiate a lower price.

Bajaj drivers prefer to be paid in Tanzanian shillings, but many also accept US dollars.

Boda

The cheapest, least comfortable and, most importantly, least safe form of transport is conventional motorbikes.

These are called "boda" in Tanzania.

Motorbike drivers offering transport are everywhere, even outside tourist destinations.

For short distances up to 2 km you should definitely not pay more than 5 000 tzs.

Ride-sharing mobile apps

There are no local or, so far, multinational apps like Bolt, Uber, Careem or Grab that work reliably in Zanzibar.

While Bolt is newly available on Zanzibar, you can only call a motorbike (boda boda) through this app for now. Moreover, there are still very few drivers connected to the Bolt app.

But the Bolt and Uber apps work well on the Tanzanian mainland, for example in Dar es Salaam.

Dala dala buses

If you want to enjoy the local colour, definitely use the local minibuses (called dala dala) for transport.

10 cheapest hotels in Stone Town

Travelling by bus is mainly for the adventurous - the vehicles are often extremely crowded and the ride is very slow as dala dala doesn't have fixed stops, but stops where passengers say.

Map of dala dala lines

Information about routes or timetables online is not available anywhere. Therefore, I have created a map of all bus routes in Zanzibar based on my own experience.

In the map only tourist buses from Stone Town to the sea or to the airport are plotted.

Prices and fare payment

Fares are always paid to the conductor, who usually stands at the door throughout the journey.

You only pay on alighting - cash only and in Tanzanian shillings only.

Prices vary according to distance. For the shortest routes around the city or up to about 5km drive, you pay 500 tzs, while the longest routes, for example from Stone Town to Nungwi, cost around 2 000 tzs.

Timetables and stops

Most routes run from about 5:30am to 8pm.

Intervals for frequent lines (for example 116 to Nungwi, 309 to Jambiani or 630 between Makunduchi and Michamwi) vary between 5 and 15 minutes.

Individual lines gave fixed routes but no stops. Just wave at a passing bus and it will stop anywhere along the route.

If you are getting off, announce this to the conductor who will tap on the door to let the driver know to stop.