When is the best time to buy tickets to Zanzibar from Moscow? Consider the best travel periods and the cost of plane tickets to Tanzania using direct flights and with transfers, we will find out when is the best time to relax.
If you are tired of a banal sea vacation, and you want something fresh and unusual, pack your bags and go to Zanzibar, this island will captivate even seasoned travelers.
An archipelago of seventy-five islands located off the east coast of Africa in the southern hemisphere. The largest island 80 km long is called Zanzibar. It is he who is the main island of the archipelago.
When to relax in Zanzibar
European tourists have chosen the coast of Zanzibar for a long time. Most of all Italians are here, they can be found in almost every hotel by the sea. Europeans come to the island more often in the summer.
When it is summer in the northern hemisphere, winter comes in the southern one. No, it doesn't snow on the island. Traveling around the island in Zanzibar winter is quite comfortable, the air temperature is about +26 - 29 degrees.
But the summer in Zanzibar is quite hot +31 - 38 degrees. Therefore, there are significantly fewer Europeans, they tolerate the heat less firmly than the Russians. For our tourists, winter is the best time to visit warm countries, because we have severe frosts at this time. And so I want to recharge with solar energy and the power of the ocean.
For all the versatility and beauty of the African island, you rarely meet Russians here. More often come those who have already seen many countries and who need new, vivid and unusual impressions.
The weak flow of our tourists is due to the very small promotion of this resort in our homeland, the high cost of air travel and the high cost of staying in hotels in Zanzibar.
The most convenient way to get to the island is by plane, ticket prices to Zanzibar from Moscow are different, there are also expensive ones, but if you know the tricks, you can get cheaper ones.
In fact, the price of a plane ticket to Zanzibar from Moscow does not differ much from a ticket to Thailand, but vacationers often prefer proven options and fly to Asia.
Where to find cheap tickets
Based on our personal experience as a traveler, we recommend using Aviasales.
Let's take a look at all the possible flight options and prices for flights Moscow-Zanzibar-Moscow.
First, let's decide on the date of the vacation and see the cost of the flight to Tanzania by months in the price calendar:
Tickets Moscow-Zanzibar, direct flights
For those who save time and who care about the speed of arrival from Moscow to Zanzibar, it is best to take a direct flight. The cost of a ticket for such a flight is from 36 to 45 thousand rubles. This flight is the most expensive of all options, but the fastest and most convenient.
But even the fastest flight is not completely direct. Aircraft of the company "Fly Dubai" land at the airport in Dubai. Docking takes place within 3-5 hours. You will spend this time in the transit hall, you cannot go to the city of Dubai, since you have a single ticket.
All other options for flights from Moscow to Zanzibar are carried out with two transfers, but they are slightly cheaper.
Plane tickets, direct flights:
How to save on a flight to Zanzibar
- Method 1 - More transfers
Flights from Moscow to Zanzibar with two transfers will cost significantly less - 30-32 thousand. But this flight option loses in time.
There is a flight from Moscow to the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam, with a stop at one of the airports in the major Asian capital. Most often, this is a docking in Dubai or Istanbul. After a few hours of docking, the air transport goes to Dar es Salaam.
In a Tanzanian city, you do not need to get off the plane, the stop is only about an hour, it is made to disembark passengers. Continue straight to your destination to the white sandy beaches of the island.
- Method 2 - Even more transfers
If you have enough time, want to save money and fly on different planes, then a trip to Zanzibar with several transfers will suit you.
If you're lucky, the cost will cost 22-26 thousand rubles.
In this version, you need to make several transplants. The first connection can be made in Dubai, Istanbul or in one of the cities of Europe. Next flight to Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Cairo. After that, another flight to Dar es Salaam, and you are almost there. There are two ways from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar - again by plane or by ocean.
How much money should I take with me? All prices in Zanzibar: the cost of food, hotels, tickets, entertainment, where to eat, can be found on a separate page.
How to get from Dar es Salaam
Flights Dar es Salaam Zanzibar
If flights were not enough for you and you want even more thrills, we recommend using an air taxi. A small rattling airplane for only $ 30 will take you to an island paradise.
There is no need to go through control and all formalities are not required. Liquids and alcohol in particular are allowed to be taken inside the plane, and in general, no one is inspecting anything here - you are almost in Zanzibar, so Hakuna matata!
Tickets for the Dar es Salaam-Zanzibar plane →
From Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar by sea
The price of a ferry ticket to Zanzibar does not differ from a flight ticket - $ 30. The difference in time is significant, the ferry crossing will take about 3 hours, and the flight is only 20 minutes.
In terms of entertainment, both options are good. The flight is more extreme, and the ferry is colorful. The local population will ride with you on water transport, and it is interesting and funny to watch them.
We read a separate article about all the ways to get to the island and prices for travel, which will help you save a significant amount.
- Method 3 - Promotions
One of the ways to save on flights is to buy promotional tickets. To do this, you need to regularly visit the sites where you can see promotional offers from airlines.
In winter, you should not wait for such promotions, this is the very peak of the season for trips to Zanzibar. In spring and autumn, promotions are quite possible. In October, you can get a ticket with one change for 20-25 thousand rubles.
In order not to miss the best deals for the desired destination, we recommend using the online subscription on the flight search page.
- Method 4 - Seasonality
Most of all, I want to go to relax on the sea in winter, but it is during this period that ticket prices bite and reach their maximum. But in April or October, you can buy a ticket with one or two transfers for only 18-25 thousand rubles, sometimes even cheaper.
In this case, the question of weather conditions is acute - is it worth saving and getting into bad weather and rains, or is it better to overpay, but fully enjoy the beauty of Zanzibar.
Read about the climate, weather conditions and the rainy season on our website in the description “Weather in Zanzibar”
Travel tips for Zanzibar
- For those who decided to fly to Zanzibar during the coronavirus period, it is worth knowing - they do not require a PCR test for Covid-19 upon arrival.
- A visa can be issued upon arrival at the airport (the airport is small, you certainly won't get lost here). The cost of registration is $ 50 per tourist. Payment is made in cash without change or by bank transfer with Visa and MasterCard. Here you will have to fill out a migration card and a visa application form. Everything will take about 20 minutes.
- We advise you to change money at the airport. Banks and hotels are holding the most disadvantageous course. We do not recommend changing money on the street - there are many scammers.
- Important! Dollars on the island are accepted not older than 2009!
- You shouldn't take the Euro, here they are equal to the dollar. That is, 1 $ = 1 €, it is not profitable for Russians.
- In restaurants, fruit shops, souvenir shops, cafes - it is profitable to pay with local currency (shillings).
- SIM cards of local operators can be more easily purchased upon arrival at the airport. The cost of a SIM card with a regular tariff is about $ 22 for 10 MB of Internet.
- If you use the services of Fly Dubai, find out if they are fed during the flight, some flights, even long ones, do not have meals. Bring some snacks or extra money to buy food on board with you.
- Find out the reviews of tourists who have already been here and know about all the nuances of a vacation by the sea in Tanzania.