Start with your exact hotel, arrival time and party size, then ask for a written transfer quote. One operator, GoZanzibar Transfers, publishes an Alphard fare of US$20 for airport–Stone Town hotels and US$45 for several beach routes. Those examples, checked on , are one supplier’s advertised vehicle fares, not a market-wide price or a confirmed booking total. Source: operator route list.
Published airport-transfer examples
The table below reproduces the Alphard entries from GoZanzibar Transfers’ route page. The journey times are that operator’s estimates for the listed airport-to-hotel routes. They are not independent measurements, door-to-door guarantees or advice on when to leave for a flight.
| From Zanzibar airport to | Listed Alphard fare (USD) | Operator’s estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Town hotels | $20 | 15–25 minutes |
| Nungwi | $45 | 70–100 minutes |
| Kendwa | $45 | 70–95 minutes |
| Paje | $45 | 55–80 minutes |
| Jambiani | $45 | 65–90 minutes |
| Kiwengwa | $45 | 55–75 minutes |
The operator’s homepage describes its prices as per vehicle. Ask it to confirm the total for your party, bags, exact address and landing time. The route name does not establish passenger capacity, luggage space, child-seat availability or accessibility.
Use a separate confirmed pickup plan for your return journey. Even a supplier’s own published time estimates can differ between arrival and departure entries. Include the airline’s current check-in requirements when agreeing when to leave your hotel.
Compare like with like
A useful quote states whether the price is per vehicle or per passenger, which vehicle will be supplied and what is included. Send the same details to every provider you are considering.
- Passengers and bags: list adults, children’s ages, large suitcases, hand luggage and bulky equipment. Ask for the vehicle that fits those requirements.
- Child seats: specify ages and sizes. Ask for the type and number of seats and written confirmation that they will be fitted.
- Access needs: describe the help or equipment needed. Ask about step height, space, boarding and the drop-off point.
- Timing: give the flight number, date and local landing time. Ask what happens after a delay and how waiting time is charged.
- Extra costs: ask about parking, additional stops, late arrival, waiting, luggage and payment charges.
- Changes: check how to amend the booking, the cancellation deadline and the refund terms.
A “24/7” service statement does not establish that every arrival time has the same fare. Ask about your actual flight rather than inferring a night-price policy from opening hours.
Why we have not called US$35 a guaranteed fare
On the check date, TaxiTrip Zanzibar’s Nungwi page and Paje page each showed a sedan “from” US$35 while route summaries on those pages showed “from” US$40. Its homepage also showed different starting amounts by vehicle. These are inconsistent advertised starting prices. Ask for a dated written quote; we have not used the lowest number to create a market price range.
Make the pickup easy to follow
- Before flying: save the provider’s confirmation, contact details, meeting instructions and your hotel’s full address where you can read them offline.
- Confirm who is meeting you: ask how the driver will identify you, how you can verify the booking and where to wait if you miss each other.
- Check the vehicle: confirm it matches the agreed passenger, luggage and child-seat arrangements before leaving.
- Keep changes explicit: if you want a stop or a different destination, agree the revised amount before changing the journey.
- For your return: reconfirm the hotel pickup point, flight details and pickup time with the provider.
If your hotel is arranging the car, ask whether the service is operated by the hotel or an outside supplier and who handles a missed pickup or refund. Keep the named service provider and payment recipient clear.
What to send in a quote request
Copy this checklist into your message and complete each line:
- Travel date, flight number and local landing time.
- Pickup point and full hotel name, address or map pin.
- Adults, children’s ages, bags and bulky equipment.
- Child seats or access requirements.
- Any extra stop or a different return destination.
- Request: total currency and price, vehicle, inclusions, meeting point, waiting policy, payment and cancellation terms.
Use the named operator’s own website to request its quote. For a question about how the transfer fits your trip, ask YourZanzibar on WhatsApp. A planning enquiry does not reserve a car or establish a confirmed fare.
Still choosing between Nungwi and Paje? · Return to the trip-planning guide
Source and review note
Published prices and timings were checked on against the linked GoZanzibar Transfers and TaxiTrip Zanzibar pages. This guide is a desk comparison of advertisements, not a YourZanzibar inspection of vehicles or verification of service quality, capacity, availability or final charges. No supplier was contacted for a quote.
Commercial disclosures · Report a changed price or correction