Short answer: expect $15–20 to Stone Town, $40–50 to Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje or Jambiani, and $50 to Matemwe or Kiwengwa — per car, not per person. There are no meters in Zanzibar, so always agree the price before you get in.
If those numbers sting, keep reading — there is a cheaper way to do the same trips.
How Taxi Pricing Works in Zanzibar
Zanzibar taxis run on fixed route rates, not meters. You agree a price with the driver before the ride starts, and that is the fare — no distance × time calculation. Prices are per vehicle, so a group of four pays the same as a solo traveler in the same car.
The catch: the "fixed" rate depends on who you ask. Drivers at the airport arrivals gate quote the highest prices on the island, especially late at night. Knowing the going rate before you land is the difference between a fair fare and a tired-traveler tax.
Taxi Prices from Zanzibar Airport (2026)
Typical one-way fares from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport:
| Destination | Typical taxi fare |
|---|---|
| Stone Town | $15–20 |
| Nungwi / Kendwa | $40–50 |
| Paje / Jambiani | $40–50 |
| Matemwe / Kiwengwa | $50 |
| Kizimkazi | $50–60 |
How to Avoid Overpaying
- Ask your hotel first. Hotels know the real going rate for your route — get their number before you negotiate.
- Agree the price before you get in. Once the bags are in the boot, your bargaining power is gone.
- Walk past the first row of drivers. The men calling out inside arrivals charge the most. Step outside and compare two or three quotes.
- Pre-book for late arrivals. Landing after 10pm with no plan is when the worst prices happen.
The Math Nobody Shows You
One airport transfer is fine. A week of them is not. Take a typical 5-day trip:
- Airport → Nungwi: ~$50
- Nungwi → Paje day trip: ~$60
- Paje → Stone Town: ~$40
- Stone Town → airport: ~$20
That is roughly $170 in taxi fares — for four rides, on someone else's schedule, with a negotiation before every single one.
A rental car covers all of it for from $25/day — about $125 for five days — with unlimited mileage, no negotiating, and the freedom to stop wherever you want.
What You Need to Drive in Zanzibar
Just two things:
- Your normal driving license (from home).
- A Zanzibar driving permit — $25 per driver, issued by the Zanzibar authorities. Message us on WhatsApp before you fly and we'll explain exactly how to get one.
Traffic drives on the left. Main roads are paved; a sturdy SUV like a Toyota RAV4 handles both highways and sandy beach tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Zanzibar taxi prices fixed?
There are no meters. Reputable operators use standard route rates, but street drivers negotiate — so the price you pay depends on the price you agree before the ride.
How much is a taxi from Zanzibar airport to Nungwi?
Typically $40–50 per car. Pre-booked transfers and platforms list around $50; street drivers at arrivals may ask more.
Is it cheaper to rent a car than take taxis in Zanzibar?
For stays of three days or more, almost always. Four or five taxi rides quickly pass $150; a rental car starts at $25/day with unlimited mileage.
Can I pay taxi drivers by card?
Assume cash. Carry US dollars or Tanzanian shillings — most drivers do not take cards.
The Bottom Line
Taxis are fine for a single airport run — or skip the taxi entirely with our fixed-price airport transfers. But if your trip involves more than two or three rides, zanzibar car rental is cheaper — and you never negotiate a fare again.
Ready to book? Message us on WhatsApp at +255 678 723 942 — we reply within 15 minutes, day or night, and your car is ready when you land.