Domestic flights to Zanzibar: times, prices, luggage

In short

After a safari in northern Tanzania, flying is the usual way to get to Zanzibar. You depart from Arusha Airport (ARK), Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or directly from an airstrip in the Serengeti, for example in Seronera.

The flight takes between 1 and 2 hours depending on the route and the airline, and the one-way flight costs between 182 and 601 USD per person.

The luggage allowance at most airlines is 15 to 20 kg; at Coastal Aviation and Auric Air hand luggage is already included. You will often be asked to use a soft bag rather than a hard-shell suitcase.

Departure points: Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti

Arusha Airport lies around 7 km west of the city centre and, according to the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), is used exclusively for domestic flights. The terminal has a capacity of 1,000 passengers, plus parking bays for 15 small aircraft.

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the region’s international airport. Flights to Zanzibar also depart from here.

In the Serengeti, the aircraft depart from several airstrips, simple landing strips in the bush. On its website, Auric Air lists the codes Seronera (SEU), Kogatende (KOG) and Ndutu (NTU).

All flights land at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar’s international airport. The operator is the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA). The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) is responsible for licences and safety oversight in the country.

Who flies and how long it takes

Several airlines connect northern Tanzania with Zanzibar, and flight times vary noticeably depending on the airline. All details come from the airlines’ own websites and are correct as of October 2026:

According to its own website, Coastal Aviation connects Zanzibar daily with the main national parks. Auric Air operates several daily flights from Arusha and direct daily flights from Seronera and Kogatende.

Air Tanzania lists the flights only in its booking system. Precision Air and Regional Air include Zanzibar and the Serengeti in their route network but do not state set times for these connections.

What the flight costs

Fares vary depending on the season and the airline. All prices below are per person, one way, and a guide only, correct as of October 2026. “Net” and “gross” are given exactly as the airlines publish them; each airline’s price list states exactly what is included.

The official price list (rack rate) of Auric Air is valid until 31 December 2026, Flightlink’s fares until 28 February 2027 and Coastal Aviation’s fare sheet until May 2027.

Air Tanzania and Precision Air do not publish fixed fares for these routes on their websites.

On Wildfinder’s sample itineraries with Zanzibar, the domestic flight to Zanzibar is included in the trip price as standard. The team in Arusha arranges it directly and books it for you.

Luggage on small aircraft

On these routes you fly in small aircraft, and the luggage allowance is tighter than on international scheduled flights. The rules for each airline, as of October 2026:

• Coastal Aviation: 15 kg including hand luggage, soft bags strongly recommended. Excess baggage at a variable cargo rate, with no fixed price.
• Auric Air: 20 kg including hand luggage, soft bags recommended. Excess baggage 30 USD per 10 kg block on coastal routes, 60 USD on safari routes, up to 4 blocks.
• Flightlink: 20 kg, hand luggage 5 kg. From Seronera, 20 kg including hand luggage applies, and only soft bags are allowed, no hard-shell suitcases. Excess baggage on regional routes 5 USD per kg, from Seronera on request.

Pack light from the start, and you will stay within the limit on every leg. The packing list for Tanzania covers what really belongs in your bag.

Flight or ferry

The ferries to Zanzibar depart from Dar es Salaam, the port city on the coast.

After a safari in the north, Dar es Salaam is not on the way: you would first have to take the long drive from Arusha or from the Serengeti to the coast. That is why Wildfinder always plans the onward journey to Zanzibar by flight, for example from Arusha Airport or directly from an airstrip in the Serengeti.

Before departure

For the flight to Zanzibar you do not need a second compulsory insurance policy. Since 1 October 2026, the requirement also applies on the mainland; what matters is the first point of entry: anyone entering via Kilimanjaro Airport for the safari is also covered on Zanzibar with the mainland policy. The guide to compulsory insurance for Tanzania and Zanzibar sets out exactly what applies.

Your guide will take you to the airport or airstrip at the end of the safari. On Zanzibar, the team will pick you up at the airport. If you want to add beach days to your safari, take a look at the sample itinerary Zanzibar Holiday after the safari. The duration and schedule are tailored to you once you send an enquiry.

Updated October 2026. Flight times, fares and luggage rules are subject to change; the airlines’ information is definitive.

Frequently asked questions about domestic flights to Zanzibar