Zanzibar is about 80 minutes from JKIA. This guide covers which airlines fly the route, what return flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar cost in Kenya shillings, the mandatory Zanzibar insurance and what to carry at check-in. When you are ready, we compare fares for your dates and book your ticket, payable by M-Pesa.
Flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar
Airlines, Fares in KES, Insurance and Entry Rules for 2026
How Long Is the Flight from Nairobi to Zanzibar?
The quick answer
Direct flights from JKIA land in Zanzibar in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Safarilink’s daily flight from Wilson Airport takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Return fares can start at around KES 45,000 per person, although most travellers should budget KES 50,000 to 75,000 depending on dates, airline and baggage.
Kenyans do not need a visa for Zanzibar. You do need a valid passport and Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound insurance, which costs USD 22 for Kenyan adults. If you would rather not book each piece separately, our Zanzibar packages include return flights from Nairobi.
Which Airlines Fly from Nairobi to Zanzibar?
Two Nairobi airports, several options. Schedules change, so we check what is flying on your dates.
Kenya Airways flies direct from JKIA to Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, and Tanzanian carriers such as Precision Air and Air Tanzania have also served the route. The flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.
JKIA suits you if you want a jet, a bigger baggage allowance or an onward connection.
Safarilink flies to Zanzibar from Wilson Airport, which is closer to the CBD and Lang’ata than JKIA. The flight takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Wilson flights use smaller aircraft, so baggage limits are tighter. Check your allowance before you pack.
What about Jambojet? Jambojet does not fly from Nairobi to Zanzibar. It launched Mombasa to Zanzibar flights in 2024 but suspended the route in 2026, so travellers from the coast usually fly through Nairobi or go by road and ferry.
How Much Is a Flight from Nairobi to Zanzibar?
Indicative return fares per person in Kenya shillings. Your quote shows the exact fare for your dates.
From KES 45,000
KES 50,000 to 75,000
KES 1,000
What moves the price? Travel dates matter most. August, Christmas and New Year sell out early and cost more. Checked baggage, the time of day and how far ahead you book also make a difference.
No single airline is always the cheapest. We compare the options side by side and show you the full fare before you pay anything.
How to Book Your Zanzibar Flight with Baecation
Four steps on WhatsApp or email. Pay by M-Pesa or bank transfer.
Tell us your travel dates, departure airport and each traveller’s name exactly as it appears on their passport.
We send a written quotation comparing the available airlines, times, baggage and fares.
Once you accept, you pay the full ticket price plus our KES 1,000 service fee per passenger, by M-Pesa or bank transfer.
We issue the ticket once your payment clears and send your e-ticket by WhatsApp and email.
What You Need Before You Fly to Zanzibar
Check these at least a week before departure.
Travel on a valid passport, ideally with at least six months left on it. A Kenyan national ID alone is not accepted for an international flight to Zanzibar. Every child needs their own passport.
Buy it before you travel on the official portal, inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz. It costs USD 22 for Kenyan adults and for children, and USD 44 for other foreign adults. Save the certificate and QR code on your phone and carry a printed copy.
Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate. Tanzanian health officials can ask for it from travellers arriving from Kenya, and airlines sometimes check it at check-in.
Check your baggage allowance, especially on smaller Wilson flights, and book your airport transfer ahead. We can arrange the transfer to Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje or wherever you are staying.
Your own medical or travel insurance does not replace Zanzibar’s mandatory policy, so keep both. Only buy the Zanzibar cover through the official portal.
Can You Go to Zanzibar by Road from Kenya?
Yes, but plan for a full day or longer each way.
You can travel by road to Dar es Salaam through the Namanga border via Arusha, or along the coast through the Lunga Lunga border via Tanga, then take a ferry across to Zanzibar. The ferry from Dar es Salaam takes about two hours, longer in rough seas, and non-resident economy fares start at around USD 35 one way.
Mainland Tanzania introduced its own mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors on 1 October 2026. Reports indicate that East African Community citizens are exempt on the mainland, but the rules are still settling, so confirm the current requirement before you cross the border.
For a short trip, flying is usually the better choice. The road saves on fares but costs you at least a day each way.
When Is the Best Time to Fly to Zanzibar?
Weather and demand both affect what you pay.
Sunny, breezy and the busiest stretch for beach holidays. August is peak season, so book early.
Calm seas and clear water make these popular months for the beach, snorkelling and diving.
Short rains are possible, although conditions often improve towards Christmas. Christmas and New Year sell out first.
The long rains usually fall from March to May. Fares are lower then, but some beach resorts close for part of that period.
Zanzibar Packages with Flights Included
Prefer one price for everything? Our Zanzibar packages bundle return flights from Nairobi with your hotel and transfers.
Ready to Fly to Zanzibar?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will send a written quote comparing airlines, fares and baggage.
Couples, families, friends and solo travellers are all welcome. Already booked your flights? We can still arrange your hotel, airport transfers or a full Zanzibar package. Planning further afield? See all our international destinations.
Reach out:
For enquiries or bookings, write to [email protected]. We’ll revert within 20 minutes during business hours.
Nairobi to Zanzibar Flight Questions
Quick answers to what Kenyan travellers ask most.
Direct flights from Nairobi’s JKIA to Zanzibar take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Safarilink flights from Wilson Airport take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Actual flight times and operating schedules depend on the airline and travel date.
Return flights can start at approximately KES 45,000 per person, and most travellers should budget KES 50,000 to 75,000, depending on dates, airline, baggage and availability. When you book through Baecation, our KES 1,000 service fee per passenger is added and shown on your quote. No airline is always cheapest. We compare the airlines for your dates and show you the options side by side.
Kenya Airways flies direct from JKIA to Zanzibar. Jambojet does not fly from Nairobi to Zanzibar, and it suspended its Mombasa to Zanzibar route in 2026.
Yes. You can travel by road to Dar es Salaam through the Namanga border, or along the Kenyan coast through the Lunga Lunga border, then take a ferry to Zanzibar. The journey can take a full day or longer, depending on connections, border procedures and ferry schedules. Mainland Tanzania introduced its own visitor insurance in October 2026, so confirm the current rules for Kenyan citizens before you cross.
Travel on a valid passport. A Kenyan national ID alone is not enough for an international flight to Zanzibar.
No. As East African Community citizens, Kenyans visit Tanzania, Zanzibar included, without a visa.
USD 22 for Kenyan adults, about KES 2,900 at current exchange rates. Children pay USD 22 and other foreign adults pay USD 44. Buy it on the official portal, inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz.
We recommend purchasing Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound travel insurance before departure through the official portal at inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz. Do not rely on buying it on arrival. Keep your insurance certificate and QR code saved on your phone and preferably carry a printed copy.
Your existing private travel or medical insurance does not replace Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound insurance policy. You should retain your own insurance as additional protection for risks or expenses that may not be covered by the ZIC policy.
The Zanzibar insurance costs USD 22 per child, and ZIC lists children under 3 as free. Confirm the current age bands on the official portal when you buy. Airfares for children depend on the airline and fare class, and we quote them with your adult fares. An 11-year-old needs their own passport.
Yes, when you book through Baecation. After you accept our quotation, you pay the full ticket price and our KES 1,000 service fee per passenger by M-Pesa or bank transfer. We issue the ticket once your payment has cleared.
June to October is Zanzibar’s main dry season. January and February are also generally drier and popular months for beach holidays. December can experience short rains, although conditions often improve towards the Christmas and New Year period. August, Christmas and New Year are busy travel periods, so book early.
Yes. Unmarried couples can generally travel to Zanzibar together. A marriage certificate is not normally required as an entry document. However, accommodation policies can vary, so Baecation confirms the hotel’s requirements when arranging your stay.
Of course. We can arrange airport transfers and hotels, point you to the official Zanzibar insurance portal, or turn your trip into a full package. Send us your flight details on WhatsApp.