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Flights from London Gatwick (LGW) to Zanzibar (ZNZ)

Escape to an idyllic cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean from London Gatwick, reaching Zanzibar via smooth connections through Dubai with our partner flydubai.
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Flights from London Gatwick to Zanzibar

London Gatwick is located near the town of Crawley, 45km south of Central London.

The airport has a vast number of train connections, including with several key stations in and around London. There is a direct, non-stop service from London Victoria, the Gatwick Express, which departs twice an hour and takes 30 minutes. You can also use the Thameslink train services from Central London stations like London Bridge and St Pancras International that take around 45 minutes.

We also have a partnership with Great Western Rail which allows you to combine your flight and rail journey to London Gatwick in one ticket if you’re arriving from Reading. As part of the partnership, you’ll receive two rail tickets valid on Great Western Rail trains from several stations across south-west England to Reading, and from Reading to the airport. The journey from Reading to London Gatwick takes roughly an hour and a half.

Coach and bus services to London Gatwick generally take about an hour and 45 minutes from Central London, while driving takes approximately an hour and a half via the M23. There are a range of parking options at London Gatwick, including short-stay, long-stay, premium and valet parking.

If you’re flying with us in First or Business Class, you can book our complimentary Chauffeur-drive service to and from London Gatwick Airport. We’ll collect you in a luxury car so you can travel in comfort to the airport from within 70 miles, or further for a little extra fee.

Following check-in at the airport, Business and First Class passengers and Emirates Skywards Platinum or Gold members can retreat to the tranquillity of the Emirates Lounge. It’s the ideal place to unwind ahead of your flight to Zanzibar. Sip champagne, premium spirits, beers and wines, indulge in a selection of mouth-watering dishes and enjoy a refreshing shower before boarding.

After your peaceful lounge experience, the relaxation continues on board your flight from London Gatwick. You’ll enjoy world-class service, award-winning entertainment and regionally inspired meals with complimentary beverages in Economy Class. Explore over 6,500 TV shows, movies, podcasts, music and more on your HD TV as the hours slip by. In the A380 Onboard Lounge in Business Class, you can wander to the back of the plane to a welcoming space where you’ll be treated to an array of light bites and drinks. In First Class, you’ll have a fully enclosed private suite with lie-flat seats, temperature controls and mood lighting - as well as access to the rejuvenating A380 Shower Spa.

After connecting in Dubai for your flight to Zanzibar with our partner flydubai, you’ll land at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport – the archipelago’s main airport. There are no trains from the airport, but you can easily reach your destination via a taxi or prearranged transfer. One alternative is a ‘dala dala’, a van or small minibus typically used by the locals.

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is a 10-20 minute drive from Zanzibar City, Unguja Island’s largest city. It will take around an hour to reach the beach resorts of Pingwe or Jambiani on the island’s east coast, while Kizimkazi in the south and Nungwi in the north are a similar journey away.

Adorned with dreamy palm-lined beaches, teeming with wildlife and surrounded by the sparkling Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is a picture book island destination. Its natural beauty is matched by its spellbinding culture and fascinating history too, with the mesmeric, thronging streets of Stone Town in Zanzibar City a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


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

  • Embark on a magical dhow tour
    Set sail on a traditional Arabian dhow, a vessel of choice for fisherman and traders for centuries, and watch the golden sun set over the rippling waters of the Indian Ocean. Cruise around clusters of small islands to the tune of Taarab, a lively and immensely popular form of Swahili orchestral music.
  • 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.
  • Take a trip to the Emerald Island
    Pemba Island is a world away from the main hustle and bustle of Zanzibar. Locals here have a much more traditional way of life, reflecting the area’s past. Tourists can explore stunning coral reefs and take guided tours of the island. The medieval Pujini Ruins, the site of a fortified palace, provide a further glimpse into Zanzibar’s history.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Flying from London Gatwick to Zanzibar

  • London Gatwick Airport is situated outside of the London transport system, beyond zone six, which is the furthest from the city centre. The fare system divides the city into zones and is used for calculating ticket prices for underground and overground rail services.

    You can still pay using your contactless payment card or Oyster card to travel to Gatwick Airport from London by tapping in and out at the ticket barrier. You can also book tickets online or purchase them from ticket machines at the station on the day you travel.

  • Dar es Salaam, another of Tanzania’s most coveted destinations, is 73km south of Unguja, Zanzibar’s main island. The vibrant port city is situated on mainland Africa – making it a popular launchpad for incredible safari adventures - and can be reached via a ferry from Stone Town in Zanzibar City. The ferry typically takes around an hour and a half, though some slower services run in the early morning or late at night, taking up to five hours.

    You can return to Zanzibar on the ferry or fly Emirates to London 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 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. In addition to London Gatwick, you can fly from London Heathrow and London Stansted.

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