Cheap Flights Dubai to Zanzibar 2026 — Fares, Airlines & Best Time to Book

Dubai to Zanzibar is the short cut to the Spice Island — the turquoise water and white sand of Nungwi and Paje, the coral reefs and the Swahili alleys of Stone Town. It is a genuine nonstop route: flydubai and Air Tanzania fly it direct in around five and a half hours, and Emirates markets a codeshare on the flydubai service. This guide covers who flies it, a fair return fare in dirhams, and when to book for the best price.

Fares from Dubai to Zanzibar (AED)

Zanzibar is a beach and diving destination, so fares follow the island’s dry seasons and the holiday calendar. The long dry season (June–October) and the December–February short-dry season with the Christmas peak are the busiest and priciest; the long rains of April–May are the cheapest and quietest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in UAE dirhams.

Checked against every return fare on sale as we write: the whole market sits between AED 1,712 and AED 2,224, with a median of AED 2,015. So the "good return" band of roughly AED 1,700–1,900 is right — but the dearest fare we can find anywhere is AED 2,224, so the four-figure peak prices often quoted for this route do not appear at all, and that includes the December departures in our sample. flydubai supplies almost every cheap seat at AED 1,712–2,190. Anything under about AED 2,015 return is worth booking quickly.

Airlines on this route

Non-stop (about 5½ hours):

• flydubai — the most frequent nonstop, around two flights a day from Dubai International Terminal 2; the everyday value option, though check whether checked baggage is bundled in your fare.
• Air Tanzania — the Tanzanian flag carrier flies its own nonstop from Dubai, a full-service direct alternative into its Zanzibar base.
• Emirates — sells a codeshare on the flydubai nonstop, so an Emirates ticket usually means flying flydubai metal; useful if you are collecting miles or connecting on an Emirates itinerary.

One-stop (occasionally cheaper):

• Qatar Airways via Doha, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, and Kenya Airways via Nairobi — connecting options that can undercut the nonstops on quiet dates, at the cost of a longer journey.

With flydubai and Air Tanzania both flying direct, the nonstop is usually the fastest and best-value choice — a one-stop only makes sense if it is clearly cheaper on your dates.

When to book & how to save

• Book 2–4 months ahead for the dry-season and Christmas peaks; the cheapest nonstop seats to the island go early.
• Travel in the shoulder months — March, late May, October and November are cheaper and still warm, with fewer crowds on the beaches.
• Avoid the peaks if you can: Christmas/New Year and the July–August summer are the most expensive and busiest.
• Compare all-in prices including bags: Air Tanzania includes checked baggage, but flydubai’s lightest fares may charge extra — add the bag before comparing.
• Check entry requirements: most visitors need a Tanzania visa (available online or on arrival) and, from some regions, a yellow-fever certificate — sort both before you travel.

Arriving in Zanzibar

Flights land at Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), about 7 km south of Stone Town. There is no train, so the usual options are a pre-booked hotel transfer or an airport taxi. A ride into Stone Town takes around 15–20 minutes and costs roughly AED 40–70; the popular north and east beach resorts at Nungwi, Kendwa and Paje are 45–90 minutes away and cost more. Most beach hotels include an airport pick-up — confirm this when you book. The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling; US dollars are widely accepted for hotels, tours and the visa fee, and cards work in larger resorts.

Frequently asked questions

Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.