Amsterdam to Zanzibar is one of the easiest long-haul beach escapes from Schiphol, and you can fly it non-stop in around nine hours — a rarity for an Indian Ocean island. This guide covers who really flies the route direct, the one-stop alternatives when the non-stops are full or pricey, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and when to book.
Route: Amsterdam (AMS) → Zanzibar, Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)
Distance: approximately 7,000 km (4,350 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 8h 35m – 9h 10m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — KLM and TUI fly operate non-stop from Amsterdam Schiphol to Zanzibar, though frequencies are limited and partly seasonal. One-stop options via Istanbul, Nairobi or Addis Ababa are often cheaper.
Fares from Amsterdam to Zanzibar (EUR)
Zanzibar’s peak travel window follows its dry seasons: the long dry season (June–October) and the short dry spell around Christmas and New Year draw the most visitors and the highest fares. The long rains (mid-March to May) are the quietest and cheapest. 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 (dry / holidays) |
| February | high (dry season) |
| March | medium |
| April | low (long rains) |
| May | low |
| June | medium-high (dry season begins) |
| July | high (peak dry / summer) |
| August | high |
| September | medium-high |
| October | medium |
| November | low-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We do not quote a target fare for this route.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
Non-stop (about 9 hours):
- KLM — non-stop Amsterdam → Zanzibar on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner; a full-service option with economy, premium comfort and business cabins. Frequency is limited (a few flights a week), so book early.
- TUI fly Netherlands — non-stop on the Dreamliner too, geared to holidaymakers; often sold as flight-only as well as with packages, and can be the cheapest direct seat.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 12–17 hours total):
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — frequent connections and often competitively priced.
- Kenya Airways via Nairobi — a natural East African hub with good onward links to Zanzibar.
- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa — another strong African routing, often competitively priced.
- Qatar Airways via Doha and other Gulf carriers — comfortable, though the detour adds hours.
The one-stop carriers compete hard and usually undercut the non-stops by €50–€120, especially in peak season. If time and simplicity matter most, grab a direct KLM or TUI fly seat early; if price is the priority, a single stop through Istanbul, Nairobi or Addis Ababa is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead, and even earlier for peak dry-season and Christmas travel — the limited non-stop seats sell out first.
- Travel in April, May or November for the lowest fares. April–May is the long rains (short, heavy downpours rather than all-day rain), and November is the quieter short-rains window.
- Avoid the peaks if you can: July–August and the Christmas/New Year holidays are the busiest and most expensive.
- Compare all-in prices including bags: full-service carriers usually include a checked bag, but the cheapest “light” or TUI fly flight-only fares may charge extra — check before you book.
- Watch the visa: most visitors need a Tanzania visa (available online in advance or on arrival), so factor that in rather than the fare alone.
Arriving in Zanzibar
Flights land at Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), about 7 km south of Stone Town. There is no train; the usual options are an airport taxi (roughly €10–€20 to Stone Town, agree the fare first) or a pre-booked hotel transfer, which most resorts on the east and north coasts arrange. Transfers to the far beaches such as Nungwi or Paje take 60–90 minutes. Tanzania’s currency is the shilling, but US dollars are widely accepted for transfers and hotels — carry some small notes.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from Amsterdam to Zanzibar?
Yes. KLM and TUI fly both operate non-stop from Amsterdam Schiphol to Zanzibar on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Frequencies are limited — only a few flights a week and partly seasonal — so the direct seats sell out early. One-stop flights via Istanbul, Nairobi or Addis Ababa are usually cheaper.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Zanzibar?
The non-stop takes about 8 hours 35 minutes to 9 hours 10 minutes southbound. One-stop itineraries through Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Nairobi (Kenya Airways) or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian) typically take 12 to 17 hours in total, depending on the connection.
How much does it cost to fly from Amsterdam to Zanzibar?
A typical economy return runs about €460–€700 depending on the season. Good deals dip to around €400, usually in the April–May low season or during airline sales, while the July–August dry-season peak and Christmas push toward €750.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Amsterdam to Zanzibar?
April, May and November are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid July–August and the Christmas/New Year holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Amsterdam to Zanzibar?
Non-stop: KLM and TUI fly. One-stop: Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Kenya Airways (via Nairobi), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) and Qatar Airways (via Doha), which often offer the lowest fares.
Which airport do I fly into in Zanzibar?
You arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), Zanzibar’s only commercial airport, about 7 km south of Stone Town. Most resorts arrange a transfer; a taxi to Stone Town is short, while the northern and eastern beaches are 60–90 minutes away.
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?
Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, which covers Zanzibar. You can apply online in advance (recommended) or buy one on arrival at the airport. Check your nationality’s current requirement and validity before you travel, and carry some US dollars for on-the-spot fees.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim for 2 to 4 months ahead, and earlier for the July–August peak or Christmas. The non-stop KLM and TUI fly seats are limited and fill first, so booking early is the best way to secure a direct flight at a fair price.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
