Distance 74 km (46.3 miles) | |
Price range US$40-US$385 | |
Ride Duration Range 15m-1h 45m | |
Earliest Departure 04:00 | |
Latest Departure 20:10 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest ferry: 1h
Cheapest ferry: US$40
If you're lucky enough to find yourself on the spice island of Zanzibar, then you might already know what lies in store back on the Tanzanian mainland. Wildlife reserves, Lake Victoria and Mount Kilimanjaro, are all highlights for your East African adventure!
There are two ways to get from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam. The first option is to fly. It’s a very efficient and speedy choice. However, as there are only two daily flights available, you might find yourself waiting around all day before you take off.
The flight takes only 30 minutes, so there's barely time to take off your shoes and catch a few Zzz’s. But then, why would you want to? You'll be way too excited, and the scenery from up above is often spectacular.
The Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam flight is a safe and well-used route. Planes are small and air-conditioned. Food and drinks are served, although there's hardly enough time to swallow before you land. Aircraft types include a 13-seater, a 19-seater and a 30-seater Cessna.
If you're looking for another travel option, you can always take the ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam. Ferries are very easy to catch. They leave from Stone Town and arrive at the downtown Dar es Salaam port around two hours later. It's a nice way to kick back and relax before joining the mainland.
The Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam ferry schedule is fairly regular. You can catch the earliest one around 7 am; the latest departure is usually around 3.45 pm.
It's common for passengers to be charged extra for luggage weighing more than 25kg.
Ferries can get quite crowded on this route, particularly on the top deck. The conditions can also be slightly choppy, so make sure you've taken seasickness tablets in advance. Best advice is to find a space on the top deck and look at the horizon—good luck!
If you're taking the Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam ferry, you can expect to see a fair bit from the open-top economy deck. The busy port at Stone Town is always fun to observe as you depart the ferry terminal, and the same goes for when you finally dock in downtown Dar es Salaam.
When you're onboard the ferry, you'll no doubt see lots of your fellow travelers as well as numerous locals and families traveling between the island and the mainland. It can be an opportunity to chat to a few friendly faces or just people watch 'til your heart's content.
As the distance from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam is 72 kilometers (44 miles), there's quite a lot of Indian Ocean to enjoy as you travel. If you’re in the premium or first class seats, you might not get to see quite as much as those up top in economy; however, you can always pop upstairs if you wish.
Just make sure to keep out of the sun if you're heading up to the top deck or, better yet, cover yourself in factor-50 sun lotion and soak up some tan time.
Now, if you're taking a flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, you might well get to see some beautiful blue hues as your small aircraft takes to the air. It's a very scenic flight, so make sure you try to bag a window seat and keep an eye out for tiny islands.
Taking a ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
It's very straightforward to take a ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam. Ferries leave throughout the day from seven in the morning to around three in the afternoon. Boats are big and bustling with people. You can purchase tickets at the main ticket office at the harbor in Stone Town.
Ticket prices start from US$35 for an economy ticket and US$60 for a premium or first class ticket. The ferry crossing usually takes from 2 to 3 hours.
Snacks and drinks can be purchased if you're traveling first class, although it's best to bring your supplies. No alcohol is allowed on board. It’s probably just as well because seasickness can be a common problem with those who haven't found their sea legs.
Taking a flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
If you're jumping on a flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, you need to know that planes are tiny. They are designed to carry between 13 – 30 passengers.
Food and drink will be served onboard. Seats are relatively comfortable, and the views over the Indian Ocean are stunning. It’s definitely worth arm wrestling for a window seat on this trip!
Standard flight ticket prices with African Queen Adventures start from US$52. There are usually just two departures per day, and you will need to get to the airport at least an hour before departure. Seats in the high season can get booked quite quickly, so it's always best to buy your ticket well in advance.
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