Short answer: the fast ferry from Stone Town back to Dar es Salaam costs the same as the outbound trip. Through us you pay the ferry fare plus a USD 10 service charge per ticket, so a one-way seat starts at USD 45 in Silver. If you want a driver waiting at the Dar terminal to take you to your hotel or the airport road, that is USD 30 per one-way transfer. Pickups from your Zanzibar hotel to the port are on request. Departure times vary by day and season, so book a time of day and we confirm the exact boat.
Most guides to this route are written for people heading to the island. The trip back gets less attention, yet it is the leg that most often sits close to something you can't move: an international flight out of Dar, a safari start, a hotel checkout. This guide is about the Stone Town to Dar direction only. If you still need to plan the way out, read our Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry guide first.
Zanzibar Ferry is a booking service run by Horizon Hospitality Group in Dar es Salaam. We don't operate boats. We reserve your seats on the fast ferries, send your e-tickets, can arrange a driver on the Dar side and stay on WhatsApp in case anything changes.
What does the return ferry from Zanzibar cost?
Our fares are identical in both directions. Here is what one person pays for the Stone Town to Dar leg, with our service charge already added:
| Class | Adult, one way | Child 2–11, one way |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | USD 45 | USD 40 |
| Silver Plus | USD 45 | USD 40 |
| Gold | USD 60 | same as adult |
| Platinum | USD 80 | same as adult |
| VIP | on request | on request |
How the total is built, so there are no surprises:
- Ferry fare + USD 10 per ticket. The fare is set by the ferry company. Our USD 10 per ticket covers booking, e-tickets and support. If the company changes its fare, we tell you the new total before we book anything.
- USD 30 per one-way Dar-side transfer. This is per vehicle, not per person, so a couple or a family shares one price.
- Zanzibar-side transfers on request. A pickup from a Stone Town guesthouse and one from a resort on the east coast are very different drives, so we quote once we know the hotel.
A worked example: two adults in Silver Plus, coming back from Zanzibar with a driver from the Dar terminal to their hotel, pay 2 × USD 45 + USD 30 = USD 120. Add a second Dar transfer if you also want a ride from the terminal to somewhere else later, such as a separate hotel for a single night.
When do ferries leave Stone Town for Dar?
Boats run back to Dar several times a day, from morning into the afternoon, but departure times vary. The operator changes them with the season, the day of the week and sometimes at short notice, so we don't print a fixed list here. When you book, tell us the part of the day you prefer and we confirm the actual sailing for your date on WhatsApp. Our timetable guide explains how the crossing usually runs.
Timing the return around a flight
This is where people get caught out. The sea crossing itself typically takes somewhere around one and a half to two hours, but your day doesn't end at the dock. After landing in Dar you still have the port exit and then the road to Julius Nyerere International Airport, and the city's traffic is unpredictable, particularly on weekday afternoons.
A cautious plan looks like this:
- Work backwards from your flight. Your airline's check-in deadline is the fixed point.
- Allow generously for the drive to the airport. Ask us or your hotel for the current picture on the day; congestion can double a normal drive.
- Add the crossing and port time. Be at the Stone Town port well before departure; an hour is a sensible minimum.
- Keep a spare boat. If at all possible, choose a sailing that leaves an earlier or later ferry as a backup, not the last one that just works.
If your flight leaves early in the morning, the safest option is often to cross the day before and stay a night in Dar. Our sister brand Dar Day Tours can fill that spare afternoon with a city or food walk.
Leaving from Stone Town: the port routine
The ferry back leaves from the port on the edge of Stone Town, a short drive or walk from most hotels in the old town. A few things make the morning simpler:
- Passport in your hand luggage. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, but there are passport checks when you travel between the island and the mainland. Bring the original, not a copy.
- E-tickets on your phone. We send them on WhatsApp after booking. A screenshot saved offline helps if the port signal is weak.
- Ignore anyone offering tickets outside. The UK government's travel advice for Tanzania warns about ticket touts at ports. With seats already booked, you don't need to talk to them.
- Luggage. Big bags are usually handled separately from the passenger area. Keep valuables, medication and a water bottle with you.
- Getting to the port. If your hotel is outside Stone Town, ask us for a quote for a Zanzibar-side pickup, or arrange a taxi with your hotel and agree the fare before you set off.
Arriving in Dar es Salaam
The ferry docks in the city centre, close to the old harbour front. If you've booked our Dar transfer, the driver meets you after you leave the terminal and takes you to your hotel or onwards; the USD 30 per one-way transfer price covers one vehicle and one journey. Without a transfer, agree a taxi or ride-hailing fare before the car moves, and keep your bags close in the crowd around the gate.
Arriving in the late afternoon? Rush hour on Dar's main roads can be slow, so a pre-booked driver who already knows where you're going saves a lot of hassle.
Changing or cancelling your return ticket
Return trips change more than outbound ones, because people decide to stay longer on the beach. The rules are the same as for any ticket we book:
- Tickets are non-refundable once issued. This comes from the operator, so we can't refund issued tickets either.
- A date or time change costs USD 15 per ticket, provided the new sailing has seats. Message us on WhatsApp as early as you can; changes on busy days are harder.
- Not sure about your return date yet? You don't have to book both directions at once. Book the outbound leg now and the return when your plans are fixed.
Full wording is in our cancellation policy and terms.
Return trip checklist
| Before you leave Zanzibar | Done? |
|---|---|
| Return ticket booked for the right date and time of day | ☐ |
| Sailing confirmed by us on WhatsApp | ☐ |
| Enough time between ferry arrival and your flight, with a backup boat | ☐ |
| Zanzibar hotel to port pickup arranged (on request) or taxi agreed | ☐ |
| Dar-side transfer added if you want one (USD 30 per one-way) | ☐ |
| Original passport in hand luggage | ☐ |
| Entry requirements checked for your nationality (GOV.UK advice or your own government) | ☐ |
Which class for the trip back?
Silver and Silver Plus suit most people for a crossing of under two hours. Gold and Platinum give you more room, which can be worth it after a late night or if you're travelling with older relatives. Not every class is available on every boat, and the layout differs between vessels (on some sailings we book Zanfast boats), so we suggest the closest match if your first choice isn't offered. If you get seasick easily, ask for a morning sailing when possible; the sea is often calmer before the wind picks up.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam?
Booked with us, a one-way non-resident ticket is USD 45 in Silver or Silver Plus, USD 60 in Gold and USD 80 in Platinum. That is the ferry fare plus our USD 10 service charge per ticket. Children aged 2 to 11 pay USD 40 in Silver and Silver Plus. VIP is quoted on request.
What time does the last ferry leave Zanzibar for Dar es Salaam?
Departure times vary by day and season, so there's no fixed last boat we can promise. Tell us your preferred time of day when you book and we confirm the exact sailing on WhatsApp.
Can I take the ferry back to Dar on the day of my flight?
Many people do, but leave a big margin: the crossing, the port exit and Dar's traffic all add up. If your flight is early in the morning, cross the day before.
Do you offer transfers in Dar es Salaam after the ferry?
Yes. A driver from the Dar ferry terminal to your hotel or onward address costs USD 30 per one-way transfer, per vehicle.
Can you pick me up from my hotel in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar-side transfers are available on request. Send us your hotel name and we quote by location.
Can I change the date of my return ferry ticket?
Yes, for USD 15 per ticket, if the new sailing has seats. Tickets are non-refundable once issued.
Do I need my passport on the ferry back to Dar?
Yes. Carry your original passport; it is checked when you travel between Zanzibar and the mainland.