Find the cheapest flights from Oslo to Zanzibar in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Oslo (OSL) → Zanzibar (ZNZ)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 11h 30m – 16h 30m (1-2 stops)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €650 | high |
| February | €680 | high |
| March | €550 | medium |
| April | €420 | low |
| May | €350 | low |
| June | €480 | medium |
| July | €620 | high |
| August | €680 | high |
| September | €520 | medium |
| October | €470 | medium |
| November | €400 | low |
| December | €720 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €450 — Book via Turkish Airlines website directly for best prices; their Oslo-Istanbul route is excellent with frequent departures.
- Emirates (connecting): from €580 — Use Skyscanner to compare; Emirates often runs promotions in January. Consider a stopover in Dubai if you have time.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €520 — Qatar Airways consistently offers good value on this route; their Oslo-Doha service uses modern aircraft.
- KLM (connecting): from €480 — KLM often has competitive prices; check their Oslo-Amsterdam-Zanzibar routing.
- Ethiopian Airlines (connecting): from €420 — Best option for checked baggage allowance; often the cheapest carrier on this route.
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) (connecting): from €500 — Convenient for Norwegian travelers; book SAS Plus for included baggage. Codeshare connections available.
Booking Strategy
For the Oslo to Zanzibar route, booking 10-12 weeks in advance yields the best prices, particularly for travel between April-May and November when prices drop to €350-450. December through February sees prices surge to €650-750 due to European winter escape demand. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €50-100 cheaper than weekend flights. Use Skyscanner’s ‘everywhere’ search to identify the cheapest routing, then book directly with the operating carrier. Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines consistently offer the lowest fares at €400-480. Consider flying into Dar es Salaam (DAR) instead – it’s only 45 minutes from Zanzibar by ferry and often has cheaper flights. Avoid booking during Norwegian school holidays (weeks 7-9, 17-18, 28-30) when prices spike significantly.
Route Tips
- Consider flying into Dar es Salaam (DAR) instead of Zanzibar – flights are often €50-150 cheaper, and the ferry to Zanzibar takes just 45 minutes with tickets at around €12.
- Norwegian visa-on-arrival costs $100 USD for most nationalities – have exact change in USD and a passport photo ready to avoid delays.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul typically offers the best combination of price, flight frequency, and connection time from Oslo.
- Book SAS flights through their website using NOK pricing – Norwegian currency sometimes yields better EUR-converted rates during favorable exchange periods.
- Pack light – many carriers on this route have restrictive hand luggage policies; consider a carry-on only to avoid checked baggage fees on budget options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Oslo to Zanzibar?
There are no direct flights from Oslo to Zanzibar. The shortest route with one stop takes approximately 11h 30m, typically via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines (2-3 hour layover). Most routes require 1-2 stops with total travel times between 11-17 hours depending on your connection. Common hub options include Istanbul (TK), Dubai (EK), Doha (QR), Amsterdam (KL), and Addis Ababa (ET). Plan for layovers of 2-6 hours, with some routes requiring overnight stops, pushing total journey time to over 20 hours.
How much does it cost to fly from Oslo to Zanzibar?
Prices range from €300-450 in the low season (May, November) up to €650-800 during peak season (December-February). The absolute cheapest fares at €300-350 are typically available through Ethiopian Airlines or Turkish Airlines in May, but these require 2 stops. One-stop flights in shoulder season cost €450-550. During European winter (December-February), expect to pay €600-750 for one-stop options. Budget an additional €30-50 for the ferry from Dar es Salaam if you find cheaper flights there.
Are there direct flights from Oslo to Zanzibar?
No, there are no direct flights from Oslo (OSL) to Zanzibar (ZNZ). This route always requires at least one connection. The most practical options are through Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Amsterdam (KLM), or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). All carriers serving this route are quality airlines, with Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways offering the best balance of price and flight frequency. If you’re open to it, flying into Dar es Salaam (DAR) often offers more flight options and can be combined with a quick ferry to Zanzibar.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Oslo to Zanzibar?
May is the cheapest month to fly from Oslo to Zanzibar, with average prices around €350-450 for one-stop flights. November also offers excellent value at €380-480. These months fall during Zanzibar’s low to shoulder season, offering pleasant weather with occasional short rains. January-February is the most expensive period at €650-750 due to European winter holiday demand. Avoid late December (Christmas/New Year) when prices peak at €700+. If your schedule is flexible, May and November offer the best combination of low prices and acceptable weather.
Which airlines fly from Oslo to Zanzibar?
Six main airlines operate this route via their hub airports: Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul, most frequent, €450), Qatar Airways (via Doha, €520), Emirates (via Dubai, €580), KLM (via Amsterdam, €480), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa, €420, best baggage at 2x23kg), and Scandinavian Airlines (via various hubs, €500). Norwegian travelers can also use Norwegian Air’s codeshare connections. Ethiopian Airlines typically offers the lowest fares with the best baggage allowance, while Turkish Airlines provides the most convenient connections from Oslo with multiple daily departures.
What airport do I fly into in Zanzibar?
You will fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), located on Unguja Island just 5km southeast of Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historic center. Taxis to Stone Town cost approximately TZS 15,000-25,000 (€5-8), while to popular beach resorts in Nungwi or Kendwa in the north, expect to pay €25-40 for a 1-hour drive. Airport transfer boats are also available. Note that many cheaper flight options route through Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, where you’ll need a 45-minute ferry (TZS 35,000/€12) across to Zanzibar.
How far in advance should I book Oslo to Zanzibar flights?
Book 10-12 weeks (2-3 months) in advance for optimal prices. This is particularly important for travel during peak season (December-February) when you should book even earlier, ideally 14-16 weeks out. For the cheapest months (May, November), 8-10 weeks is sufficient as availability remains good. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) rarely yield deals on this route as carriers price-fill aggressively and prices tend to rise. Set price alerts on Skyscanner and Google Flights for 10 weeks before your target travel dates. Avoid booking during Norwegian school holidays.
Is it cheaper to fly from Oslo to Zanzibar on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is noticeably cheaper on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €50-100 cheaper than Friday-Sunday flights. This price difference is most pronounced during shoulder and low seasons when airlines have more unsold seats to fill. Saturday departures often have the highest prices due to weekend leisure travel demand. For the best deal, aim for Tuesday or Wednesday departures with a Tuesday return. However, the savings must be weighed against having limited connection options – some hubs have fewer departure times midweek, potentially resulting in longer layovers that offset the ticket savings.
Data updated: 2026-03
