Taking a Taxi in Zanzibar
Taxis are plentiful across the island of Zanzibar, especially within the island’s main city of Stone Town. Since hiring a car requires excessive paperwork and public transport options are reserved for the more adventurous at heart, a Zanzibar taxi service is the easiest and most popular way for visitors to discover the natural beauty of this Tanzanian gem.
Most Zanzibar taxis are sedans that seat four to six passengers, and if you’re lucky to find a modern vehicle, you can enjoy some respite from the heat with air-conditioning. Hailing a taxi from the street is easy, and you can find drivers at popular tourist hubs within the city; look for the rooftop “TAXI sign and red number plates. Otherwise, phoning a taxi directly or pre-booking your ride with Welcome are the most reliable options for arranging your taxi service in Zanzibar. Since taxis aren’t metered in Zanzibar, you need to be prepared to haggle with your driver for the best price.
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HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI COST?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZNZ TO CITY CENTER | 14.20 € | 19 € | 15 MIN |
| STONE TOWN TO MANGAPWANI | 37.80 € | 42.50 € | 40 MIN |
| STONE TOWN TO JOZANI FOREST | 37.80 € | 42.50 € | 1 H |
| STONE TOWN TO THE ROCK RESTAURANT (PINGWE) | 37.80 € | 42.50 € | 1 H 20 MIN |
| STONE TOWN TO NUNGWI | 28.30 € | 33 € | 1 H 15 MIN |
| STONE TOWN TO THE PORT | 9.50 € | 14.20 € | 6 MIN |
Zanzibar Taxi Prices
Whilst various companies operate on the island, most taxis in Zanzibar are privately owned. As such, there aren’t any official Zanzibar taxi rates, instead, drivers provide set prices for each destination or expect you to negotiate a price. For instance, the 15-minute trip from Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town typically costs $15 (€14.20), and for short rides across town, you can expect to pay $10 (€9.50).
You should be prepared to pay for your ride with cash; for the best rate, use Tanzanian shillings, otherwise, US dollars are also accepted. Rides taken at night or early in the morning (20:00-08:00), may also incur an additional $5 (€4.70) charge, however, this depends on the driver/company.
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How to get a taxi in Zanzibar
The easiest way to grab a taxi in Zanzibar is to hail one off the street, however, it pays to keep your wits about you and only ride with officially registered drivers and vehicles. Taxis can be any make or model, but official taxis should have a red number plate, state the number of passengers they are permitted to carry, and feature a registration number either on or inside the vehicle. Some, but not all, will have a classic rooftop “TAXI” sign.
It’s also possible, and perhaps more reliable, to find taxis stationed around town at designated taxi stands. These are far and few between but transport hubs like the port and airport, and popular beach areas are usually safe bets. In any case, always agree on the price of your taxi in Zanzibar before beginning your ride, and don’t be too shy to negotiate.
How to get a taxi at Zanzibar Airport
You’ll find a taxi service at Zanzibar Airport outside the Arrivals Hall. As you exit the terminal building, you should spot a line of vehicles waiting by the curbside; simply take the one at the front of the queue. Note that a list of current fixed prices should be posted by the taxi stand.
How to get a taxi from Zanzibar Port
The port is a walkable distance to Stone Town, however, in the heat and with heavy luggage, it can seem much further. Thankfully, taxis always wait by the Passenger Terminal exit to greet arriving passengers. As a guide, the cost should be no more than $10 (€9.50) to reach Stone Town.
How to get a taxi from Stone Town
Taxis are always parked up in front of the Old Fort which is within easy walking distance of the promenade and seafront. From here, you should be able to find both sedan taxis and larger minivans that can accommodate larger groups.
How to get a taxi from Pingwe Beach
Pingwe is quite small and is centered around the beach so the easiest way to find a taxi is to walk into Bwejuu or Paje or ask your hotel or restaurant to call one on your behalf. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi driver for the day or a few hours so that they wait for you while you visit the beach.
How to get a taxi from Jozani Forest National Park
Since the national park isn’t near any main roads, most visitors to the national park arrange a return journey with a taxi company, otherwise, you will have no choice but to take a “dala dala”, one of the local buses.
Most popular taxi apps in Zanzibar
It’s not currently possible to book a Zanzibar taxi with an app since there are none available. Internet service is often patchy, plus electrical blackouts are still common, so it would seem at this time there isn’t the infrastructure to support the functionality of a ride-hailing or app-based taxi service.
You can, however, pre-book your rides with Welcome Pickups. Welcome offers on-time, reliable, and safe taxi services not just to and from the airport, but to anywhere on the island.
Useful taxi numbers in Zanzibar
The most reliable way to arrange a taxi in Zanzibar is to phone a Zanzibar taxi number directly. Companies usually feature their number on the side of each taxi vehicle, or if you find a friendly and honest driver, you can take down their number for future use. Otherwise, hotels often organize rides on behalf of guests with drivers they know to be trustworthy. Some popular taxi companies include:
- Friendly Taxi and Tours: +255 776 416 155
- Zan Island Taxi: +255 777 577 207
- ZTrans: +255 777 041 191
- Zanzitaxi: +255 773 104 273
Benefits of booking your Zanzibar taxi in advance
When arriving at a new destination, the last thing you want to do is haggle with unlicensed taxi drivers or waste precious vacation time trying to get from A to B. That’s why a pre-booked taxi with Welcome Pickups is the best way to travel around the island. Welcome Pickups guarantees on-time pickups, premium customer service, fully personalized transfers, and friendly local English-speaking drivers, handpicked and trained by us. Moreover, with an easy-to-use mobile app, you can book your Zanzibar taxi in under 60 seconds!
Zanzibar Taxi Tips
- Most private taxi companies in Zanzibar also operate as tour companies.
- It is uncommon to tip your taxi driver; however, it is appreciated. Most travelers leave a couple of extra dollars if they have been given a fair price.
- Be aware that many unlicenced taxis operate around the island; ensure you book an official and reputable taxi company.
- Most taxis in Zanzibar don’t accept credit card payments. However, you can use your credit card if you pre-book your taxi online.
- Prices should be posted at the airport and you can ask your hotel for a guide price whenever you plan on taking a ride.
- Make sure you arrive on the island with plenty of cash on you. There are often power outages and limited ATMs available so relying on card payments isn’t recommended.
- Boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) and bajajs (tuktuks) also serve as taxis on the island, although these aren’t nearly as safe. That being said, they are very cheap and outside of Stone Town, are much more common than regular taxis.
- Always agree on a price with your driver before starting your ride. For the best possible rate, it is best to pay in shillings rather than US dollars.
- Don’t rely on using a taxi app while in Zanzibar as the island currently doesn’t support this type of taxi booking. If you’re traveling off the beaten path, always pre-book your ride with a trusted company like Welcome.
Zanzibar Wheelchair Accessible Taxis and Transfers
Regular Zanzibar taxis don’t have a lot of space for luggage, however, if you are traveling light then it is possible to store a foldable wheelchair in the trunk. If you require a specialized vehicle, it is best to book a taxi through a larger private company like Sun Tours which may be able to accommodate your specific needs.
Taxi Safety and Complaints in Zanzibar
Zanzibar taxi drivers are known to be very friendly and accommodating, however, foreigners regularly report being overcharged. Furthermore, there are rare occurrences of unofficial taxi drivers scamming or robbing unaware tourists. To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable ride, only use registered taxi drivers and always confirm the price of your journey upfront.
If you do encounter any issues, it is best to file a complaint in person to the Zanzibar police. The station is located in Stone Town in the Malindi area, or you can phone them at +255 24 223 0772. Make sure you note down any valuable information such as the driver’s name and registration, as well as the vehicle registration number and taxi company, if relevant.