Short answer: No. Uber does not operate in Zanzibar — not in Stone Town, not at the airport, not at the northern beaches. If you open the Uber app on the island, you will find no cars available. The same goes for Bolt.
So how do you get around? Here is every option, honestly compared — including the one most visitors wish they had known about before they arrived.
Why Is There No Uber in Zanzibar?
Uber has simply never launched here. Zanzibar's transport market is built around local taxi drivers, shared minibuses (dala-dalas), and hotel transfers. There is no app-based ride-hailing on the island at all.
Your Options for Getting Around
1. Local Taxis
Taxis are everywhere — waiting outside the airport, around Stone Town, and near every major beach. They work, but know this before you get in:
- Always agree the price BEFORE the ride starts. There are no meters.
- Ask your hotel what the going rate is for your route, so you have a number to negotiate from.
- A week of daily taxi rides around the island adds up fast — often more than renting your own car.
2. Dala-Dalas (Shared Minibuses)
The cheapest way to move around — a few thousand shillings per trip. They are an experience: crowded, no air conditioning, no fixed schedule, and they only run certain routes. Fun once; tiring as your daily transport.
3. Hotel Transfers
Convenient and safe, especially for the airport run. Also the most expensive option per trip. Fine for arrival day; painful for a week of exploring.
4. Renting Your Own Car — The Best Value
This is what most independent travelers end up wishing they had done from day one:
- From $25/day with no deposit — often cheaper than two taxi rides.
- Go where you want, when you want: Nungwi in the morning, Paje for sunset, no negotiating, no waiting.
- One flat daily rate instead of a dozen separate taxi fares.
Quick Cost Comparison
Think about a typical 5-day trip: airport pickup, two beach days in Nungwi, a day in Paje, a Stone Town afternoon, airport return. By taxi, that is six or more separate negotiated fares. A rental car covers all of it for one daily rate — from $25/day — with unlimited mileage.
What You Need to Drive in Zanzibar
Just two things:
- Your normal driving license (from home).
- A Zanzibar driving permit — $25 per driver. We arrange it for you before you arrive. Just send a photo of your license on WhatsApp and it is ready when you land.
Traffic drives on the left. Main roads are paved; the car you want is a sturdy SUV like a Toyota RAV4, which handles both highways and sandy beach tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bolt work in Zanzibar?
No. Neither Uber nor Bolt operate on the island.
Are taxis safe in Zanzibar?
Yes, generally. Use the ones your hotel recommends, agree the price upfront, and avoid unmarked cars late at night.
Can I rent a car at Zanzibar Airport?
Yes. We deliver to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport free of charge — your car and your driving permit are ready when you land.
Do I need to pay a deposit for a rental car?
Not with us. No deposit, no card hold. You pay when you collect the car.
The Bottom Line
No Uber, no problem. For most visitors staying three days or longer, zanzibar car rental is the cheapest, freest way to see the island.
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.