There is no non-stop flight from London to Zanzibar, so every itinerary connects once — most efficiently through a Gulf or East African hub such as Doha, Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Istanbul. The good news is that competition between those carriers keeps fares to the island reasonable for a long-haul beach destination. This guide covers the realistic routings, what a fair return fare looks like in pounds, and when to book.
Route: London (LHR / LGW) → Zanzibar, Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)
Distance: approximately 7,000 km (4,350 miles) direct
Typical journey time: about 13–17 hours with one stop
Direct flights: No — there are no scheduled non-stop London–Zanzibar flights. The quickest one-stop routings go via Doha (Qatar Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Nairobi (Kenya Airways) or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines).
Fares from London to Zanzibar (GBP)
Zanzibar’s dry seasons drive the fares: the cool, dry high season (June to October) and the Christmas/New Year peak are the priciest, while the long rains (March to May) are the cheapest and quietest. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | high |
| February | high |
| March | medium |
| April | low (long rains) |
| May | low |
| June | medium-high |
| July | high (dry season) |
| August | high |
| September | medium |
| October | medium-high |
| November | medium (short rains) |
| December | very high (holidays) |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Every option connects once. The Gulf and East African hubs are usually the fastest and best value:
- Qatar Airways via Doha — frequent, highly rated, and often the smoothest single-stop from Heathrow.
- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa — a short second leg into Zanzibar and frequently among the cheaper fares.
- Kenya Airways via Nairobi — multiple daily connections and a quick hop across to the island.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — competitive prices and a strong network, though a longer overall routing.
European-hub carriers are an alternative if the timings suit:
- KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris — comfortable one-stop routings from Heathrow, occasionally cheaper on sale.
Because these carriers compete hard for leisure traffic, fares to Zanzibar are often lower than you’d expect for the distance. Compare a couple of hubs — Doha, Addis Ababa and Nairobi frequently trade places on price.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Zanzibar rarely improve at the last minute, especially over the dry season and Christmas.
- Travel in the shoulder or low season (March–May, or late November) for the lowest fares — the long rains come in bursts, and you’ll pay noticeably less.
- Avoid the peaks: July–August and the Christmas/New Year holidays are the busiest and most expensive weeks.
- Check checked-bag rules: full-service carriers to Zanzibar generally include 23–30 kg, but compare the all-in price if you’re on a “light” fare.
- Be flexible on the hub. The cheapest fare often depends on which hub is on sale — check Doha, Addis Ababa and Nairobi side by side.
Arriving in Zanzibar
All flights land at Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), about 6 km south of Stone Town. There’s no train, so the usual options are a taxi or a pre-booked hotel transfer: expect roughly £12–£20 to Stone Town and more to the northern and eastern beach resorts (agree the fare before you set off). Many hotels include an airport pickup, which is often the easiest choice after a long journey. Most UK visitors need a visa (available on arrival or online) — check the current requirements before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from London to Zanzibar?
No. There are currently no scheduled non-stop flights between London and Zanzibar. Every itinerary connects at least once — the quickest and best-value routings go via Doha (Qatar Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Nairobi (Kenya Airways) or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines).
How long is the flight from London to Zanzibar?
With one stop, the total journey typically takes 13 to 17 hours depending on the hub and layover length. A well-timed connection via Doha or Addis Ababa can be around 13–14 hours gate to gate; a longer layover or an Istanbul routing pushes it toward the upper end.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Zanzibar?
A typical economy return runs about £550–£850. Good deals dip to around £460–£550, usually in the long-rains shoulder season (March–May) or during airline sales, while the July–August dry season and December holidays push toward £900.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Zanzibar?
April and May (the long rains) are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid July–August and the Christmas/New Year peak, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Zanzibar?
All connect once: Qatar Airways (via Doha), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), Kenya Airways (via Nairobi) and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) are the main options, with KLM (Amsterdam) and Air France (Paris) as European alternatives. The Gulf and East African hubs are usually fastest and best value.
Which airport do I fly into in Zanzibar?
You arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), Zanzibar’s main gateway, about 6 km from Stone Town. From there it’s a short taxi or hotel transfer to Stone Town, or a longer drive to the northern (Nungwi) and eastern beach areas.
How far in advance should I book London to Zanzibar flights?
Aim for 2 to 4 months ahead. Fares tend to climb closer to departure, particularly for the June–October dry season and the Christmas peak, so booking early almost always saves money. The long-rains shoulder season is both cheaper and easier to find seats.
Is it cheaper to fly via a particular hub?
Often, yes — but which one changes with the sales. Doha, Addis Ababa and Nairobi routinely trade places as the cheapest, so it pays to compare them side by side. A shorter second leg (Addis Ababa or Nairobi to Zanzibar) usually also means the fastest overall journey.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
