Zanzibar is spread out, with Stone Town in the west, the best beaches scattered along the north and east coasts, and there's no metro, no train, and no reliable ride-hailing app covering the island.
So one of the first things every visitor asks is simple: how do I actually get around? Here are all your options, what they cost, and which one makes sense for your trip.
Quick answer: Zanzibar has no Uber, and Bolt only works around Stone Town and the airport. Your real options are taxis (negotiate every fare), daladala minibuses (cheapest but slow), private drivers, scooters, or renting your own car. For any trip of three days or more, renting a car is almost always the cheapest and easiest way to get around. Your transport is parked outside your hotel, and you skip the daily haggling. See car rentals in Zanzibar from $25/day →
Is there Uber in Zanzibar?
No, Uber does not operate in Zanzibar. You can open the app, but you won't find drivers. Bolt technically works, but only with very limited coverage, mostly inside Stone Town and to the airport.
For the popular beach areas: Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani, there is no dependable ride-hailing app, so don't plan your trip around one.
You'll be relying on taxis, a private driver, daladalas, or your own rental car.
Taxis in Zanzibar — how they work and what they cost
Taxis are everywhere, but they don't use meters.
You agree on the price before you get in, and tourists are routinely quoted high, so a little polite negotiation is normal. As a rough guide:
- Airport to Stone Town: ~$15–25
- Stone Town to Paje: ~$30–45
- Stone Town to Nungwi: ~$40–60
Two things to know: taxis at the airport often quote double, walk a short distance out to find normal rates, and hotel-arranged taxis are convenient but usually 20–40% more than a street taxi. Fine for the odd trip; expensive if you're moving around every day.
Daladalas — the local minibuses
Daladalas are shared minibuses and the cheapest way to travel, often well under $1 a journey.
The trade-offs: they run no fixed timetable (they leave when full), they're crowded, they're slow, and they route through Stone Town's main terminal rather than door-to-door.
They're a fun, authentic, budget option for the adventurous, but impractical if you have luggage, children, or a beach resort to reach.
Scooters and motorbikes
Scooter rental is cheap and popular, but Zanzibar's roads, sandy patches and local traffic make it riskier than it looks. You'll still need the local driving permit and a helmet. Fine for confident riders on short hops; not ideal as your only transport for a family or a longer stay.
Private drivers and transfers
Hiring a private driver or pre-booked transfer is comfortable and removes the negotiation, which is why many people use one for the airport run in particular.
If you just want a stress-free airport pickup, our airport car rental and meet-and-greet service handles that. But across a whole trip, paying per journey adds up fast compared with having your own car.
Renting your own car — the best value for most trips
For most visitors staying three days or longer, self-drive car rental is the most practical and cost-effective way to get around Zanzibar. Here's why it wins:
- It's cheaper than daily taxis. A compact SUV runs about $25–30/day — often less than four or five taxi rides, and the cost doesn't multiply when you go further or split it between travellers.
- No waiting, no haggling. Your car is parked outside your hotel, ready whenever you are.
- You reach the hidden spots. Secluded beaches and villages that taxis avoid or charge a premium for are suddenly on the table.
- Free delivery. Most local companies drop the car at your hotel and collect it at the end.
The catches are minor: you drive on the left, and you need a local driving permit (about $10, arranged for you before you arrive).
For the freedom it buys, it's the option most travellers end up wishing they'd chosen from day one. Browse car rentals in Zanzibar →
Zanzibar transport compared at a glance
| Option | Typical cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-drive car rental | $25–30/day | Trips of 3+ days, freedom | Drive on left; permit needed |
| Private taxi | $15–60/ride | Occasional trips, no driving | Negotiate; adds up daily |
| Private driver / transfer | Varies | Comfort, airport runs | Priciest over a full trip |
| Daladala minibus | Under $1/ride | Budget, short local hops | Slow, crowded, no schedule |
| Scooter | $20–50/day | Confident solo riders | Riskier; permit + helmet |
| Bolt | Limited | Inside Stone Town only | No coverage at the beaches |
| Uber | — | — | Does not operate in Zanzibar |
Skip the daily taxi haggling.
Your own car, parked at your hotel, from $25/day, no deposit, full insurance, permit arranged.
📲 Book on WhatsApp Rent a Car in Zanzibar →
So what's the best way to get around Zanzibar?
For a short stay where you'll barely leave one beach, a mix of pre-booked airport transfer plus the occasional taxi works fine.
But if you're here for several days and want to actually explore, Stone Town one day, a north-coast beach the next, a hidden cove after that, renting your own car is the cheapest, most flexible choice by a clear margin.
It removes the single biggest daily friction of a Zanzibar holiday: figuring out how to get from A to B.
Frequently asked questions
No. Uber does not operate in Zanzibar. Bolt works only within Stone Town and to the airport, with no coverage at the popular beaches.
Daladala minibuses are cheapest at under $1 per journey, but they're slow and crowded. For comfort and value over a multi-day trip, renting a car works out cheaper than daily taxis.
There are no meters, so you negotiate. Typical fares are around $15–25 airport to Stone Town, $30–45 to Paje, and $40–60 to Nungwi.
Not if you plan to stay at one beach. But if you want to explore the island, a rental car is the most practical and cost-effective way to get around for stays of three days or more.
Yes, daladala shared minibuses run fixed routes from Stone Town. They're very cheap but have no timetable and aren't practical for reaching beach resorts with luggage.
The easiest way around Zanzibar is your own car.
✓ From $25/day ✓ No deposit, full insurance ✓ Permit arranged ✓ Free hotel & airport delivery
📲 Book on WhatsApp Rent a Car in Zanzibar →
Planning to drive yourself? Read our complete guide to driving in Zanzibar for road conditions, the permit, and local tips, or see the full range on our fleet.