The Zanzibar ferry at a glance
The sea crossing from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town is the classic way to reach Zanzibar from the mainland. Boats run every day between the two ports. You leave from Sokoine Drive in Dar es Salaam and arrive at Malindi Port, which sits on the edge of the old town, so a short walk or ride takes you into the lanes.
The crossing takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the boat and the sea. This page lists the 2026 fares for each class, the usual departure times, the rules on luggage and children, and the safety points worth knowing.
Our picks: ferry and Zanzibar day trip
One is a one-way ferry ticket with a hotel transfer in Dar es Salaam, the other a full day trip there and back.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Zanzibar day trip from Dar es Salaam by Royal Class ferry
- Royal Class return ferry
- Hotel pick-up in Dar es Salaam
- Transfers on Zanzibar
A 12-hour day with a Stone Town walk, Prison Island, a spice farm and a local lunch. Ask whether entry fees are included before you book.
Check availability →
Fast ferry ticket to Zanzibar with Dar es Salaam hotel transfer
- One-way fast ferry
- Reserved seat
- Hotel transfer in Dar es Salaam
A one-way fast ferry ticket with a reserved seat and an air-conditioned car transfer from your hotel in Dar es Salaam, plus help with luggage at the terminal.
Check availability →Stone Town tours and day trips
Walking tours, Prison Island, spice farms and sandbank trips from Stone Town, with live prices and availability.
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry: fares in 2026
Non-resident fares in US dollars. Children are aged 5 to 11, adults from 12.
| Class | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $35 | $30 |
| Business | $40 | $40 |
| VIP | $60 | $60 |
| Royal | $100 | $100 |
These are the 2026 fares for non-residents. Check them again before you pay, as fares can change. For most visitors, economy is the standard choice for a short crossing.
Resident fares
| Class | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | TZS 40,000 | TZS 30,000 |
| Business | TZS 50,000 | TZS 50,000 |
| VIP | TZS 80,000 | TZS 80,000 |
| Royal | TZS 120,000 | TZS 120,000 |
Resident fares are for people who hold resident status. Staying in a hotel does not make you a resident, so book the non-resident fare unless you can show resident status.
Ferry times and the port
Boats leave several times a day in both directions, from about 07:00 in the morning to about 16:30 in the afternoon. Check the current timetable before you go and do not plan a tight connection around one departure. Boats run from the port of Dar es Salaam on Sokoine Drive and arrive at Malindi Port in Stone Town.
Allow time before departure for check-in and boarding, and ask the operator about the boarding deadline for your ticket. On arrival, you pass through the port and enter the old town on foot or by taxi. If you travel on to a beach on the island, Stone Town is the natural place to organise the onward ride.
- Morning boats give you most of the day in Stone Town, which suits a day trip from the mainland.
- Later boats arrive in the afternoon or evening, which leaves time for a walk along the waterfront.
- Return trips run on the same times in the other direction. Plan to be at the port well before the departure.
Tickets, booking and luggage
An online booking counts as confirmed only after you have paid. Some booking agents add their own fee, for example $10 per ticket on top of the non-resident fare. That is the agent's own charge and not a port fee, so compare the total with the operator's fare list.
Each person may carry 25 kg of luggage. Extra luggage is charged, so ask at the ticket desk for the amount if you have more.
Children under 5 are not covered by the ticket booking. Contact the operator about registration and carriage before you travel with a baby or toddler.
Safety, seasickness and alcohol on the ferry
The sea can be rough, and not every vessel is in good shape. Overloaded or unseaworthy ferries and pushy middlemen at the port are known problems. Buy your ticket from a counter or a booking page you trust, and do not hand money to someone who approaches you in the queue.
- Find the life jackets and the exits when you board, and do not board a vessel that looks unfit or overcrowded.
- Seasickness: sit in the middle of the boat, look at the horizon and take medication before departure if you are prone to it. Do not promise yourself a calm sea.
- Alcohol: carrying and drinking alcohol on the ferry is strongly restricted under the terms of travel.
- Insurance and entry: since October 2026, the compulsory travel insurance also applies on the mainland. If you entered on the mainland with a valid policy for the same trip, you do not need to buy another one for Zanzibar. Check the current rules before you travel.
For the airport route and other ways to arrive, see the guide from Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town.
After you arrive
Where to go once you step off the boat.
Zanzibar ferry: frequently asked questions
How long does the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar take?
Roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the boat and the sea. Do not plan a tight connection around the crossing time.
How much is the ferry in 2026?
For non-residents, economy costs $35 for an adult and $30 for a child. Business is $40, VIP $60 and Royal $100. Resident fares are in shillings, from TZS 40,000 for economy.
Where does the ferry arrive in Stone Town?
At Malindi Port, on the edge of the old town. From there you can walk or take a short ride to most places in the lanes.
Can children under 5 travel?
Children under 5 are not covered by the ticket booking. Ask the operator about registration and carriage before you travel.
How much luggage can I take?
25 kg per person. Extra luggage is charged, so ask at the ticket desk for the amount.
Can I bring alcohol on the ferry?
Carrying and drinking alcohol on the ferry is strongly restricted under the terms of travel, so leave it for the island.