Let us consider in detail the process of traveling to Tanzania for an independent holiday, we will find out how to get to Zanzibar from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Dar es Salaam, how much the flight costs and where to buy a plane ticket cheaply.
Somewhere in Africa, on the other side of the equator, is the mysterious island of Zanzibar. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean wash over it from all sides. The island is part of Tanzania, but it is autonomous, it has its own president and its own flag.
The island is 80 km long and 30 km wide. There are plantations for growing spices, the ancient Jodani forest, the old city protected by UNESCO.
Zanzibar is very attractive for tourists. Its white and endless beaches are recognized as some of the best in the world. But, it is interesting not only for beach holidays, the main thing in Zanzibar is the preserved African flavor. And the ease and simplicity of the life of the local population will help us, always in a hurry and busy, quickly rebuild to the full "Hakuna Matata".
Despite all the charms of this island, having heard such an exotic name, our compatriots do not even try to look for it on the map. Not many people know yet that getting to Zanzibar is not so difficult. This tourist destination in Russia is not well developed, but it is absolutely not difficult to buy a ticket and go to Zanzibar from Moscow.
How to get to Zanzibar from Moscow?
Aviasales will help you to find inexpensive air tickets, no matter whether it is a direct flight to Tanzania or with a transfer, it has repeatedly helped us out in situations where we can quickly find a good flight option and significantly save money.
Direct flight from Moscow to Zanzibar
Only “Fly Dubai” planes fly from Moscow directly to Zanzibar, but in any case you will have to make a transfer.
The flight connection takes place at the airport in Dubai. Docking time is different, it usually takes about 3-5 hours.
On a flight from Moscow to Dubai, you will wake up 5 - 5 hours and 20 minutes.
This flight option is the most expensive, the ticket price is 37,000-45,000 rubles.
From Moscow to Zanzibar with transfers
For those wishing to save money, you can purchase a ticket for a flight with multiple connections. Flying through the capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, will reduce your costs.
It will also be impossible to fly directly from Moscow to Dar es Salaam. All flights have connections. Transplants are made in Dubai, Doha, Istanbul.
Such a flight to Tanzania with one connection is offered by several airlines: Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Aeroflot and Emirates.
The cost of a ticket for a flight to Dar es Salaam with one stop will be 32,000 rubles and more.
You can buy tickets for the flight even more economically, but this option provides for several transfers and few will like it.
In such options, the first transfer is made, for example, in Rome, and the next in Cairo or Addis Ababa, then to Dar es Salaam. Such a trip can cost a minimum of 22,000-25,000 rubles. The time will take a bit too much, since with each transfer the docking time is provided, and it can be different. The method is proven and economical, but it is contraindicated for rest in Zanzibar with children, a very difficult route.
Plane ticket price to Zanzibar by months
Travel to Zanzibar on your own, visa and vaccinations
How much does a Zanzibar visa cost?
There is no need to make a visa in advance, you can get it upon arrival at the airport. At passport control, you will be stamped, the cost of which is $ 50.
Travel agencies and articles on the Internet claim that it is necessary to pay for a visa exclusively with a contactless card, in fact, no one requires this, they absolutely calmly accept cash.
Medical issues
A trip to an African country makes you think about vaccinations. The first thing that comes around is the malaria vaccine. You decide whether to do it or not. It is believed that there are no malaria mosquitoes in Zanzibar. In the hot season - from December to March and from June to September, you won't see mosquitoes at all, they can't stand such heat. If there are cases of malaria, then this is considered an exception.
You need to know that vaccination against this disease has a very negative effect on the entire body. Medication must be taken 10 days before the trip. More often than not, tourists are not vaccinated against malaria.
Another common misconception is the need for a yellow fever vaccine.
African countries have yellow fever endemic areas, but Tanzania is not. Russia and European countries also do not belong to such countries, therefore, if you arrived in Tanzania from European countries, you are not entitled to require a certificate.
But if you decide to drop into Kenya on the way, then on the border with Tanzania you must present a certificate of vaccination.
It happens that during registration for a ferry crossing, customs officials ask for vaccination documents, so they try to earn extra money on uninformed tourists. If this happens to you, answer that you are from Europe, the employees should lag behind on this.
How to get from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar?
If you got to Dar es Salaam, consider that you are almost in Zanzibar.
There are two options for getting from the mainland to the island.
Air taxi
If you want bright adventures, then this method is for you.
Such an air taxi can be private, overpaying a little, except for you there will be no one on the plane, of course, not counting the pilot. You can even be put in the seat of the co-pilot.
Control and inspection are formal here. You can take both liquids and alcoholic drinks in your luggage. By the way, alcoholic beverages with the African approach to aviation can be quite relevant, not everyone will dare to get sober in such a transport.
The boarding of the flight is not announced, and it is not on the board either. Therefore, keep a close eye on the passengers, if a bunch has gathered and moved somewhere, specify which flight they are boarding.
20 minutes flight over the ocean and you are in Zanzibar. The cost of a ticket for such a mini plane is about $ 30.
Dar es Salaam Zanzibar Ferry
If you are afraid to travel as extreme as air taxi, then getting to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam by ferry will be the best way.
Boats leave from the port in the city. In this case, you will have to move from the airport to the seaport, which you do not need to do using the flight.
The boats are quite modern, the first class has comfortable seats and a TV. The trip will take 2.5-3 hours. These ferries are most often used by locals, tourists use air taxis.
The cost of a boat ticket does not differ much from the price of a flight, and is about $ 30.
Get to Zanzibar from other cities in Tanzania
When traveling around the country or visiting a safari, it is not always convenient to go by local transport to Dar es Salaam. Flights to Zanzibar are carried out from the airport of Arusha.
How to get from the airport to the hotel?
If you don't have a transfer from the airport, it's not a big deal. At the exit from the building, local taxi drivers will be waiting for you. Naturally, prices will be inflated, be sure to bargain. The standard price for a taxi to the farthest corner of the island does not exceed $ 60. The fare to Nungwi Beach varies around $ 50.
They are not afraid to go with local taxi drivers. Tourists are the main income of the local population, so they “shake” over the visitors, they will not do anything bad to you, they will bring you to the hotel safe and sound.
You can get from Zanzibar Airport to the hotel by booking a transfer in advance on the booking page. Here you can order Kiwitaxi, which is especially convenient when traveling with large luggage or children who are tired of the flight, the taxi driver will be waiting for you with a sign at the airport without delay.
If you are unsure of where to stay by the sea in Zanzibar, then be sure to check out our selection of the best hotels on popular beaches.
How to get to Zanzibar from St. Petersburg?
There is no direct flight from St. Petersburg to Zanzibar.
One of the ways is to fly to Moscow, and then you know the route from the above.
Flights to Zanzibar are carried out from the northern capital with two transfers. The first connection is in Amsterdam, the second in Nairobi. Then you can go straight to Zanzibar, or to Dar es Salaam. You can buy a plane ticket from St. Petersburg to Zanzibar using the search engines described above.
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