Arusha to Zanzibar by train
Zanzibar lies 418 km (259 mi) south-east of Arusha, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 6 h at the speeds typical of Tanzania rail, over roughly 509 km (317 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Arusha | Zanzibar | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Tanzania | Tanzania |
| Population | 617,631 | 709,809 |
| Elevation | 1,415 m (4,642 ft) | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam) | UTC+3 (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam) |
| Stations on record | Arusha Central Train Station | none listed |
Where to book trains from Arusha to Zanzibar
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Zanzibar
Our booking partner lists 119 places to stay in Zanzibar City. Of the 55 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (24), and 8 are five-star. Across 63 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.2 out of 10. Guests have left 47,879 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Zanzibar
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Zanzibar from Arusha?
418 km (259 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Arusha; by road roughly 509 km (317 mi).
How long does it take to get from Arusha to Zanzibar by train?
About 6 h, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Arusha and Zanzibar?
No, both are on Africa/Dar_es_Salaam at the moment.
Where can I stay in Zanzibar?
Our booking partner lists 119 places to stay in Zanzibar City, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.