Book Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar Ferry In Advance?

Hi d,
Usually early Jan most travell coming back to Znz/DSM for end year holiday and vice versa!
So if you can book in advance better!
And don't worry abt loosing your money they usually give another ticket refund if boat is missed has happened to many before !
Cheers

I'd agree, book in advance, but remember the traffic in town can be terrible so make sure you give yourself some time to get out of the airport & get to the ferry terminal!

Kira

I also forgot about the traffic issue I mean 2hrs only you will need to be quick at customs visa clearance and luggage collection abt 30mins wasted here ,get a taxi as soon as you exit the arrival gate ,and tell the driver to hurry you to the ferry !!
You will be lucky to reach the ferry in less than 2hrs !!
Most put at least 2hrs on way to ferry!
Cheers & Peace

And about Azam Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries do check in with their Facebook Page https://m.facebook.com/azammarine/ here much more reliable and with up-to-date information! You can even post a question there and expect to get reply in few days!!
Cheers

Thank you so much for the helpful information! I appreciate the replies and will surely book in advance.

Good luck! - but if you do miss the last ferry and have to spend the night in Dar, the Econolodge is a good, budget place to stay. It's about 10 mins walk back to the ferry terminal next morning.

Thanks Kaz!

The advice about the traffic is very correct; you also need to factor in how long it will take to get through Tanzanian Immigration - even if you have a visa. From my experiences with TZ Immigration at Dar count on a minimum 45 minutes (assuming 100 passengers to be processed). But even if its a smaller number you cannot count on getting to the ferry terminal before 4.00 PM. The ticket issuing process usually takes 35 mins - as you are a non-TZ citizen you will need to produce your passport - and pay the non-citizen price (count on it being around $50 US - but could be more, it will depend upon which company and which ferry). So start looking for a hotel in Ferry area of Dar and book to get on the first sailing - usually around 7.30 am (even if its timetabled to depart at 7.00 am). Hope you enjoy your time on my island paradise. Cheers

Hi,

Your 2 hours gap from time you arrive at airport to time your ferry departs is very short indeed. As someone has earlier said, you will be lucky if you make it.

So I suggest you either late a later ferry, if there is one available, which I doubt, I think 4.00pm one is the last one, or spend a night somewhere withing city centre so you can catch the fist ferry to Zanzibar in the morning.