cleo22

We are looking into flight from San Francisco to Zanzibar and we can't find anything less than $2500. Does anyone have any information on flights? Thanks.

Queenie

To get to Zanzibar, you will need to travel thru Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.

The most common flights (thru Europe)are:
-BA from London to Nairobi or London to DAR

-Swiss from Zurich to Nairobi or Dar

- KLM from Amsterdam to Nairobi or Dar

Not sure what dates you need, but just playing around I see SF-Heathrow on BA $400, Heathrow-DAR $559

Or SF-Zurich on AA or Swiss $500 and Zurich-DAR $1085 on Swiss

From Nairobi you can take an hour flight on Kenya Airways to Stone Town. You may need to buy a $50 Kenyan visa, however.

From Dar you can take a 30 minute flight on Precision Air to Stone Town for $55. Or the 2 hour ferry from Dar to Stone Town for $30.

Good luck!

cleo22

Thanks. We are planning on going next september.

welltraveledbrit

We flew back from Dar after a visit that ended in Zanzibar a couple of years ago. The flights varied from $1250-1500 return and we used Air France through CDG in Paris back to SFO.
We used the fast ferry...which I think was a large catamaran...which was fun. Definately check out out Emerson and Green in the stone town which is an incredible place to stay or to eat.

JamesA

Queenie's advice is right on the mark. There is only BA, Swiss and KLM these days, I would avoid Swiss as they are pulling off lots of flights. From SFO you may find KLM your best bet, they partner with Kenya Airways and I believe you can use either airline between AMS and NBO. KLM is partner with NW so that may be of help also.
You of course then have to get to Zanzibar.
So check with KLM first I would guess or BA.
Queenie-do KLM still fly to DAR?

Queenie

JamesA:
Yes, KLM does fly AMS to DAR daily leaving about 10:30 and arriving in DAR about 23:00 (with a stop at JRO first) 1 hour time difference.

I agree with NOT taking Swiss. Its a shame but we doubt that they will still be around (as Swiss anyway)in another 2 or 3 months.

DumaSafari

I have flown SF to London to Dar es Salaam for about $1500 round-trip. You can take British Airways or KLM; BA is usually cheaper. Try airfareplanet.com for tickets from the US to Africa. International ticket prices are more expensive from June 15 to Sept. 15.

From Dar es Salaam you can fly to Zanzibar for about $70 one way on ZanAir, Precision Air or Coastal Aviation. I have flown Coastal Aviation and Precision Air; both are fine although Coastal Aviation has smaller planes (bumpy rides).