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Distance from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar/How Far Is Zanzibar from Tanzania?
To speak of the Zanzibar to Tanzania distance is a misnomer because Zanzibar is part of Tanzania.
The Zanzibar to Tanzania distance, meaning mainland Tanzania, by ferry is 81 kilometers.
If you would like to book flight or ferry tickets to cover this mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar distance, click here.
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The distance between Dar es Salaam, the largest city on the Tanzanian mainland, and Zanzibar, the famous Tanzanian archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is an important aspect for travelers and locals alike. This distance varies slightly depending on the mode of transportation chosen and the exact points of departure and arrival, but generally, it falls within a range of about 70 to 90 kilometers (43 to 56 miles).
Geographic Context of the Distance from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam is located on the eastern coast of Tanzania, along the Indian Ocean.
Zanzibar is an island situated about 25 to 30 kilometers off the coast, separated from the mainland by the Zanzibar Channel.
Zanzibar itself is composed mainly of two large islands — Unguja (commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba Island — with Unguja being the most popular and commonly visited destination.
Air Distance from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
When considering the air distance, the journey is approximately 72.6 kilometers (45.1 miles) in a straight line between Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar.
This straight-line distance is what airplanes cover and gives travelers the quickest route between the two locations.
Flights between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar are quite frequent, with multiple airlines such as Precision Air and Air Tanzania operating daily flights. The flight itself is very short, typically lasting between 20 and 35 minutes, making it a convenient choice for those looking to minimize travel time.
The relatively short flight duration and the frequency of flights make air travel a preferred option for tourists and business travelers who want to get to Zanzibar quickly.
Ferry Distance and Travel to Cover the Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Distance
For those who prefer a more scenic route or are traveling on a budget, the ferry is the most common alternative to flying. The ferry crosses the Zanzibar Channel, which is roughly 31 nautical miles (about 57.4 kilometers or 35.7 miles) wide at the narrowest point between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
More on the Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam Distance/Distance Between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
It is easy to travel between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. You can do so by either boat or plane.
Ferries shuttle the distance from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar by ferry several times a day.
For reasons of safety and excellence of service, I recommend using Azam Marine.
There are regular flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, with the duration of flight being only about 20 minutes.
You can fly between these destinations both on international airlines as well as local Tanzanian ones—both options being quite safe.
Given the distance and traffic between Dar es Salaam airport and the rest of Dar es Salaam, as well as the distance between Zanzibar airport and Stone Town, it might be more pleasant and time-efficient to travel between these cities by boat rather than by plane.
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