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Flights from Manchester (MAN) to Zanzibar (ZNZ)

Depart from one of the UK’s northern gems and arrive in a tropical island off Africa’s east coast, via a simple connection through Dubai with our partner flydubai.
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Flights from Manchester to Zanzibar

Situated 11km south-west of Manchester city centre, Manchester Airport is one of the UK’s largest airports.

It has excellent transport connections, including train, tram and bus services. There are regular trains to the airport from Manchester Piccadilly station – which is well connected to other UK cities – with the journey taking around 20 minutes. Our partnership with First TransPennine Express means you can book your entire journey with Emirates and pay one fare. 

You can also use the Metrolink tram service, which departs from Manchester Victoria station and makes several stops throughout the city, reaching the airport in just under an hour. To reach Manchester Airport by coach ahead of your flight to Zanzibar, you can make use of our partnership with National Express. This allows you to book your flight and coach journey from Manchester Coach Station on Chorlton Street to Manchester Airport in 25 minutes, or book travel to more than 25 other UK destinations.

By car, it is approximately a 30-minute drive from the city centre. The airport is located close to the M56 and has easy links to the M6, M60 and M62. There are a multitude of official airport car parks, including valet options that allow you to drop off your car in front of the terminal.

Emirates First and Business Class passengers can book our complimentary Chauffeur-drive service to and from Manchester Airport. You’ll be collected in a luxury car and enjoy a comfortable journey the airport from within 70 miles, or further for a small additional fee.

Once you’ve checked in for your flight to Zanzibar, Business and First Class passengers and Emirates Skywards Platinum or Gold members can enjoy the stylish, peaceful Emirates Lounge at Manchester Airport. Indulge in tantalising food and beverages, including champagne, premium spirits, liqueurs and wines, as you unwind in refined surroundings.

Your journey will continue in superior comfort and style once you board, with spacious seats, an elegant cabin and world-class service on your Emirates flight. You’ll be treated to regional dishes and complimentary beverages in Economy Class, all while you enjoy award-winning entertainment on your personal HD TV, including over 6,500 movies, TV shows, music tracks and more. In the A380 Onboard Lounge in Business Class, you’ll be able to stroll down the aisle to a stunning bar area where you can enjoy delicious snacks and premium drinks. In First Class, you can slide the doors closed on your private suite and stretch out on lie-flat seats - and even freshen up prior to your arrival in our A380 Shower Spa.

Following a smooth connection in Dubai for your flight to Zanzibar with our partner flydubai, you’ll touch down at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. There are a few options for travelling to your destination from the airport in Zanzibar. A taxi or prearranged transfer is the most convenient, though you can use ‘dala dala’, a small minibus or van that’s a popular with the locals.

It is a 10-20-minute drive from the airport to Unguja Island’s largest city, Zanzibar City. Beach resorts on the east coast like Pingwe or Jambiani take around an hour to reach, as does Nungwi on the northern tip of the island and Kizimkazi in the south.

Graced with staggering natural beauty, from achingly beautiful white sand beaches to lush rainforest that throngs with life, Zanzibar also boasts an enchanting local culture. While lazy afternoons can be spent lounging underneath palm trees and snorkelling in crystal clear waters, its towns – most notably the storied UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town - hum with life morning and night.

Products and services may vary on actual flights depending on routes, aircraft configuration and whether your journey involves flights with a partner airline. Operational requirements may also cause last‑minute changes to the aircraft used on scheduled flights.

Trip insipration

What to do in Zanzibar

  • Watch the sunset from Nungwi Beach
    The village of Nungwi is home to one of Zanzibar’s most esteemed beaches, and this staggering ribbon of white sand on the northern tip of the island is an unforgettable spot to watch the sunset. Arrive early to savour unobstructed views over the Indian Ocean as the dropping sun casts a phenomenal palette of orange and pink across the sky.
  • Dine at The Rock 

    For a restaurant experience like no other, The Rock is hard to beat. With 360-degree ocean views, you reach this unique restaurant via a short boat ride. Nestled atop a small outcrop, take in the fresh air of the Indian Ocean while dining on classic Zanzibari dishes with an Italian twist.  


  • Excite the senses at Forodhani night market 

    With so many influences, Zanzibari cuisine is a diverse array of flavours and smells. Nowhere is that more apparent than at Forodhani night market which comes alive after dark. Enjoy tasty treats like Zanzibar samosas and wash it down with a refreshing sugar cane juice. 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Flying from Manchester to Zanzibar

  • The train station at Manchester Airport is in a convenient location between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

    It’s only a short walk from all three of the airport’s terminals, with each accessible in no more than 15 minutes.

    There is an indoor Skylink walkway, accessed via lifts and escalators, to get from the station to the airport terminals.

  • Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja, is 73km north of Dar es Salaam, an energetic port city on the mainland. Like Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam is an esteemed Tanzanian destination and is often used as a base for the various safaris the country is famous for. There are ferry services that depart from Stone Town in Zanzibar City, which generally takes an hour and a half – though some early morning and late-night services can take up to five hours.

    You can return to Zanzibar on the ferry or fly Emirates to Manchester from Dar es Salaam.

  • A visa is typically required for British nationals travelling to Tanzania, but you should check all the visa and passport requirements prior to your flight to Zanzibar.

    marhaba offers Meet & Greet services(Opens an external website in a new tab) which can fast track you through the immigration and visa process at Zanzibar airport.

  • You can fly Emirates to Zanzibar from several UK airports, including from three London airports - London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted.

    You can also enjoy Emirates luxury when you fly to Zanzibar from Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.