We Found Cheap Taxi on Zanzibar
Looking for cheap taxi on Zanzibar? Read on. I am a type of person that when traveling and meet cheap and reliable as well as honest taxi driver, I take his number.
Travelers that come with tour operators to Zanzibar have usually expensive transfers included in the price but those on the budget will be happy to know that its possible to find cheap and reliable taxi driver on Zanzibar. I met my taxi driver on Zanzibar two years ago, he was recommended by local friend and since then I am using him for all transfers around Zanzibar. I am happy to help and recommend him, as I am always happy to support local people when they prove to be honest and willing to work.
So, my taxi driver on Zanzibar is called Ali, a father of four children. He is driving a car licensed for four people. He is always somewhere in Stone Town center and after you arrange a time and place or pick up, you can be sure he will pick you up on time, be it on the beach or Stone town.
Taxi from Stone Town to Anywhere on on Zanzibar – One price 4o USD for any destination on Zanzibar with free wifi and water
Meet Tamim. Another reliable and licensed taxi drivers on Zanzibar. I met him in 2016, while I spent two months on Zanzibar.
Tamim can pick you up either on Stone Town Airport or in Stone Town city and take you to any coast of Zanzibar for 40 USD: Kizimkazi, Makunduchi, Jambiani, Paje, Bwejuu, Michamvi, Jozani Forest as well as other destinations on Northern Coast (Nungwi, Kendwa).
He owns the 6 passenger van with air condition and plenty of space for luggage with FREE WIfi in the car along with bottle of water for each client. For tranfers from Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town he is charging 10 USD.
At the moment Tamim is not available.:(
On personal note, Tamim has a quite a burden on his shoulders as he is taking care of his mother who is suffering from severe diabetes and three younger siblings, as the man of the house he has to provide for everything, from schooling fees for siblings, medical bills and insulin for mother, food, clothes and anything in between.
Zanzibar Taxi Fares
Taxi rates are – transfer from Zanzibar airport to Stone Town: 15 000 TSH, which is a little less than 8 USD, but this rate is more common for expats. Usually prices charged for this route by others are between 15 to 25 USD.
On general, transfers from Stone Town to any place on the beach on Zanzibar will cost around 50 USD. Most of taxi drivers on Zanzibar charge between 60 up to 100 USD if you have no negotiation skills.
If you are in a hurry to go to the beach, add about 20 minutes to your schedule, as taxi drivers have to pick up some sort of permit before leaving Stone Town. You will stop on the way to arrange this paper which is essential for driving out of Stone Town. This permit is usually required on a couple of check points on the way to the beach.
If you are not familiar with Zanzibar beaches, check out this post: Guide to Zanzibar Beaches
If you are looking for Car hire on Zanzibar instead, read guide to Car rental on Zanzibar
Many thanks Nina! I will try him and let you know 🙂
Thanks Maria, I am just about to add another good taxi on Zanzibar and will email you his number, so your choice will be wider! Thanks for visiting our blog, we try to make it best place for travelers to Africa. Enjoy your vacation! Nina
Hi Nina, could you please send me the numbers to email
There is number in the post, feel free to contact Tamim, if you like.
Thanks again Nina, I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Nina, this is great information! I’m in Zanzibar now and was hoping to get the drivers details. I filled in the form above twice but haven’t been able to receive it. Any chance you can send that across? Many thanks!
Hi Jen, have tested and it works, but did send you and email just in case. Please let me know if you received it. Thanks!
Cheers this is helpfull indeed for I’m planning a trip to Zanzibar.
Hi Nina. Thanks – this is very useful. Thanks, Issak. p.s. Enjoyed reading your posts on Sudan. If you’re still in the country, you’re welcome to pop round to ours in Khartoum for a cup of karkadeh anytime 🙂
Hi Nina, I contacted you a few days ago and asked for the taxi driver’s phone number. I will be in Zanzibar in approx. 3 weeks time and I’d like to go with your recommendation. Could you kindly send me his number when you get a chance? Many thanks!
Numbers are obtainable on thi site, but have sent you an email. Please check junk folder in case your inbox is still empty! Enjoy the Zanzibar, Best regards, Nina Zara
Hi, We travelling to Zanzibar in March. I am shocked to see what the taxi fares are. The recommended taxis are still to expensive for us travelling from South Africa. One dollar is 16 rand !!!!!!!! Can you help? Annette. Mosselbay. South Africa
Hello Annette, this are the lowest prices you can get as a tourist. Nina
Hi Nina,
Is it a price for the full day ?
Or is just a drop off ?
Tks
Nicolas
Hello Nicholas, rates are quoted for one ride, either from airport to Stone Town, or to the beach. If you contact the drivers, you can negotiate for a daily price. They are flexible. Nina Zara
Hi! I’m looking for cheaper taxi on 2 feb 2016 “airport zanzibar to nungwi” . How much it costs? Thak u.
Hello Irina, best way to find out, contact Ali or Tamim, they are available on whats app. Nina Zara
Hallo
Can i have tel number from ali too ?
Hi Michael, just fill in the form for Ali Number.
Can i
have tel number? Thanks!!
Have sent you an email. Enjoy the Zanzibar! Nina Zara
Ok thanks do you think it’s reasonnable to negotiate the price of a car hiring (50$US) ?
You mean for a day hire of taxi? I doubt, but then you should add fuel costs separately, best way to contact the drivers, its their decisions.
Interesting way of promoting local people at your destination 🙂
Hi, I’m travelling to Zanzibar after a short safari in mainland Tanzania in early May. I would love a taxi driver that could show me around, maybe a tour of Stone Town as well, someone I can trust.
Do you have any numbers Nina and suggestions?
PS: Love your posts 🙂
Hi George, thanks for stopping by and trusting my posts:D Well Ali is good driver but he is not a guide, and also his English is not on that level. I have a contact, a guy who is doing tours in Stone Town also has a car, Prison Island, etc. However he is away in Zambia till March 12th. If that is too late for you let me know. Otherwise i can send you his contact number Nina Zara
Good day Nina,
My sister and I are travelling to Zanzibar in 20 months time on a holiday (still saving 🙂) , and we wish to explore some of the Island on our own and not within a Tour Group
Could you please email me the wattsapp no. for both Ali and Tamim, as we do not want to pay inflated fares as we will be working according to a budget.
Many thanks, and thank you for this wonderful tip.
Hi Nina
I’m heading to Zanzibar in a week’s time, I was wondering whether I could follow up on your last response to George and obtain the name of your contact who is returning from Zambia on 12 March?
Many thanks
Chris
Hi Chris, I have sent you an email. Nina
Hi Nina,
Me and my wife will be visiting Zanzibar form 29th march until 9th april, I would really appreciate getting any contact to a guy doing tours in Stone Town as well as Ali the taxi driver. We´re planning to see as many wonders of that island as we can during our stay. Your help would be very helpful.
Thank you 🙂
Artur
Hello Artur, i sent you an email. Our Stone Town guide will be soon listed under travel with local section. Please check your email. Wish you great time on Zanzibar! Nina
Thank you Nina, this comes in very handy!!! I will definitely use them.
Hi Nina
Please provide me with contact details for tours around the island. Please also advise on the best spots to visit, I will be staying in Uroa (East-cost)
Thank you,
Hello Carmen, you can read about more spots to visit on tour listing by Lau https://safarijunkie.com/travel-with-a-local/off-the-beaten-track-on-zanzibar/ otherwise Stone Town for a day is nice and classic tour on Zanzibar like Prison Island tour, Jozani Forest tour, snorkelling activities, depends on your interest. Have fun, Nina
Hi Nina
Thank you for your posts. I am arriving in Zanzibar on 25th March and staying at Stone Town, Nungwi, and Kiwngawa, and leaving on the 4th April. I would appreciate you sending me the details of the tour guy. I will be traveling alone from Dubai, so I appreciate having received your tips about trusty drivers, and the advice about how much ‘normal’ taxis are. I’m really looking forward to my trip, and seeing some of the greenery, beaches and historical sights of ZANZBIAAAAAAAR.
Cheers
Nanette
Hello Nanette, thanks for stopping by! Of you are alone, then take Alis number, i use hime all the time and he is available on whatsapp, so you can arrange the pick up in advance. You will enjoy it, for sure! Nina Zara
Hi There
I was in Zanzibar last year and loved the place. There was a nice driver whose contact I lost, now in July vacation, I am taking my family to Zanzibar for a week and need trustworthy taxi driver, please email me.
Also after a week I wish to go to Arusha to go and see Nrongogoro crater (day trip) and tarangire forest to see animals (day trip) what do you suggest for 3/4 nights as iternery
Hello Sandy, i will email you the taxi driver number asap. Regarding your safari plans you have many options but it all depends what you want to see, your budget and level of accommodation on safari. Three to four days, either 4 days Serengeti and last day in Ngorongoro would be the best bet, in case you would like to see great migration in full swing. Serengeti is far so at least two nights are mandatory otherwise is no use driving so far away for a night ( about full day drive from Arusha)
If you are not into migration then skip Serengeti and at this time of the year Tarangire is the best option, so i would do two days in Tarangire, first day is half day game drive ( since you will be driving from Arusha i presume) and the next full day in Tarangire, which is really beautiful in July and August. Then i would go to Ngororongoro also full day on crater floor.
This is suggestion for three day safari, not rushed, so you will actually see something instead of driving all the time.
Lake Manyara is quite empty although tour companies promise lions in the trees etc…. i would skip it, not much animals, to be frank.
In both parks, you have a wonderful option to take a hot air balloon flight in early morning hours, it costs about 400 to 500 USD per person. I think children have discount. Nina Zara
Zanzibar does not offer much cheap accommodation. Most budget hotels in Stone Town charge US$30 per night and more. Choosing a cheaper option will probably demand compromising on location, quality and most probably both.
Depending what you look for and how much important the place of stay is to you. But agree, the lowest are around 30 USd per room. I ususally stay at least for a month on Zanzibar, so i am not staying in Stone Town hotels, but I rent a room in private apartments and costs me usually 200 USD per month.
I hope you dont mind me adding to your blog, but like you I like to recommend an honest, hard working person who is trying to make a liing. So, I just wanted to share the contact details for a taxi driver I used in Zanzibar in December 2015. His name is Omar, and you can get him on: +xxxxxxx or ask around Stone Town. Omar picked us up on arrival at Stone Town airport, and drove us to Emmerson on Hurumzi (the hotel uses him regularly). We liked Omar very much, so booked him for the rest of our long trips during our stay, including down to Safari Blue (Omar kept all of our luggage in his car all day keeping it safe whilst we were on the ocean); from Safari Blue to Paje, Paje to Nungwi, and Nungwi to Stone Town. He is an excellent driver, and more importantly, a great guy whose company we enjoyed a lot. I cannot recommend him highly enough for any trips you may wish to take
Hi Mark, thanks for recommendation and will be happy to add him, once i make the check. Thanks again! Nina Zara
Hi there
We will be visiting Zanzibar between the 12 – 19th June. We are arriving late evening and need to travel to Nungwi and don’t fancy the hassle of trying to arrange a taxi at the airport. Any chance of Ali email address so that we could arrange a pick up in advance. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Regards…..Mic
Hello Mic, You can fill in the form and will get Alis phone number. He is arranging rides through whatsapp. He usually responds quickly.
This is amazing! I’m travelling to Zanzibar in July. Filling out the form now! 😀
Hi,
I am travelling to Zanzibar in July with my boyfriend and I read about cheap, reliable taxi service on your blog.
We will be staying in Stone Town so I would be so grateful if you could share Ali’s phone number with me.
Cheers,
Reshma
Hi Reshma, just fill in the form and you will get the numbers.
Hi, leaving just now for the island, please send contact info. We are hoping early August won’t be too crowded.
Susan, just use the form.
It’s an amazing transportation offer to travel at the cheapest rates. I would really appreciate you for this blog.
Hello, I’m looking for a taxi on 23 september 2016 “airport zanzibar to Diamonds Mapenzi Beach. We want to book excursions. Your help would be very helpful. Can you sent me an e-mail? Thanks!
Greetings Michelle Aanraad
Hello Michele, I have sent you an email. Regards, Nina Zara
Hi, thanks for sharing such useful information, may I know how can I contact the driver you recommend?
Ex, what’s use name for what’s app?
Thanks in advance for looking forward your kindly reply.
Viviane
Viviane, just fill in the info in the form
Hi, call me thick but where is the form I need to fill in?
Found it!
Heading to Zanzibar in two weeks, got the taxi drivers number. Thank you Nina for sharing and caring! Keep well and carry on with your travels and posts =)
Thanks Jordanka for stopping by and kind words! Have a good time on Zanzibar:) Nina Zara
It is possible for 35$ transfer from Zanzibar airport to Kizimkazi Hotel at Nov 10, afternoon .
The lowest price from Taxi drivers on this website is 40 USD. Anything below is a bit insulting to taxi drivers, fuel is very expensive on Zanzibar.
My husband and I are arriving in Zanzibar on 8th October and would like to check if you would recommend renting a car or just using Ali’s taxi services? My husband would be the designated driver and is starting to freak out a bit about the roads and driving at night!! We are staying in Matewme and will also need Ali to drive us from the airport and back – I’m sure it would be substantially more expensive but as someone who’s stayed there, is renting a car and driving around do-able on an 8 day trip or is using the taxi services of Ali a no-brainer? Thanks in advance 🙂
Hello Ann, thanks for stopping by! Personally i would never drive a car on Zanzibar (actually in East Africa on general) and I drove all over Europe. Its too different, they drive on the left lane, sometimes there is no rules on the road, not to mention check points, where they are happy to take time for tourists behind the wheel ( very common demanding bribe or…) It is gonna be a bit more expensive with taxi but when you consider safety on the road as well as personal safety its worth it. In my opinion. I also would not drive at night, not in hired car, not in a taxi, there is no lights on the roads, its pitch dark, holes in the roads, i would not recommend. Hope this answer doesn’t sound like a cliche, but I sincerely advice you to take taxi, let the driver takes you around who knows the roads. But of course, at the of the day, it is your decision:) Whatever you choose I hope you will enjoy Zanzibar! Nina Zara
Is the road from Stone Town to the airport also bad? – We are flying home in the night!
Airport road is fine.
Thanks : )
hallo nina…
wie ich lesen konnte kennst du dich in Sansibar recht gut aus 🙂
Reise bald dort hin und stehe nun vor einem Gepäck Problem, vlt kannst du mir ja helfen.
Bin zuerst in Stown Town und nach 4 Tagen fliege ich nach Tansania auf Safari. Dorthin möchte ich meinen großen Koffer natürlich nicht mitnehmen sondern nur meine Rucksack. Nach der Safari gehts nach Nungwi o.ä.
Kennst du einen Möglichkeit wo ich meinen Koffer lassen kann? Gibs am Flughafen ev. eine Gepäckaufbewahrung?
Hab mir auch schon die Nummer von Ali geholt und glaub die kann ich gut nutzten 🙂
lg vicorira
Hallo Viktoria,
although i do understand some German but haven’t spoken German for years, i will reply in English and add google translate below:)
First of all thanks for stopping by on my blog! If you have big luggage, then you have two options. you mention you stay 4 days in Stone Town. You can ask staff in hotel, to leave your suitcase for the days you go on safari and pick it up when you return on the way to Nungwi. This would be my choice. I oftentimes left a luggage in hotels, and I am sure any hotel in Stone Town that takes the business seriously will gladly keep your suitcase without worries. Which hotel are you staying at in Stone Town?
The second choice would be sending someone with your suitcase to hotel in Nungwi and when you are back you already have it waiting in your hotel. In any case, make sure you dont leave any valuables in big suitcase and make sure the suitcase is padlocked. Just in case.
Airport has no luggage storage. and I would definitely not leave it on airport at least not in Tanzania:)
Hallo Viktoria,
Obwohl ich Deutsch verstehe, aber seit Jahren kein Deutsch gesprochen habe, werde ich auf Englisch antworten und google translate unten hinzufügen 🙂
Zuerst Dank für das Kurz auf meinem Blog! Wenn Sie großes Gepäck haben, dann haben Sie dzwei Möglichkeiten. Sie erwähnen Sie bleiben 4 Tage in Stone Town. Sie können Mitarbeiter im Hotel zu fragen, um Ihren Koffer für die Tage, die Sie auf Safari gehen und abholen, wenn Sie auf dem Weg nach Nungwi zurückzukehren. Das wäre meine Wahl. Ich habe oft ein Gepäck in Hotels, und ich bin sicher, jedes Hotel in Stone Town, die das Geschäft ernst nimmt gerne Ihren Koffer ohne Sorgen zu halten. Welches Hotel befinden sich in Stone Town?
Die zweite Wahl wäre Senden Sie jemand mit Ihrem Koffer zum Hotel in Nungwi und wenn Sie zurück sind, haben Sie es bereits warten in Ihrem Hotel. In jedem Fall stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie keine Wertsachen in großen Koffer lassen und stellen Sie sicher, dass der Koffer ist Vorhängeschloss. Nur für den Fall.
Der Flughafen hat keine Gepäckaufbewahrung. Und ich würde es auf jeden Fall nicht auf dem Flughafen zumindest nicht in Tansania 🙂
Hallo Nina.
Reise bald nach Sansibar und mir scheint du kennst dich recht gut aut. Vlt. kannst du mir ja bei meinem Gepäck Problem helfen.
Bin zuerst in Stown Town, anschließend Safari in Tansania. Dorthin möchte ich natürlich nicht meinen großen Koffer mitnehmen sondern nur einen Rucksack.
Nach 3Tagen gehts zurück auf die Insel Richtung Nungwi.
Weist du vlt. wo ich mein Gepäck deponieren könnte ? Gibts am Flughafen Gepäckaufbewahrung ?
Danke für eine Antwort
lg victoria
Hey Nina, thank you for comment an sorry for german, i forgot to write in english 🙂
Thank you for your help an for your ideas. I think also i will leave my luggage in the hotel in stone town (al minar Hotel).
I saw Ali on you homepage, i will contact him to be my taxi driver. I hope a stop in the town before going nungwi is possible for him.
I asked “Sundtransfer”, but for them is a stop not possible, don´t understand it.
best wishes victoria