Zanzibar to Arusha by train
Arusha lies 418 km (259 mi) north-west of Zanzibar, 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.
| Zanzibar | Arusha | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Tanzania | Tanzania |
| Population | 709,809 | 617,631 |
| Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) | 1,415 m (4,642 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam) | UTC+3 (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam) |
| Stations on record | none listed | Arusha Central Train Station |
Where to book trains from Zanzibar to Arusha
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 Arusha
Our booking partner lists 652 places to stay in Arusha. Of the 345 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (209), and 14 are five-star. Across 58 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.5 out of 10. Guests have left 16,068 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Arusha
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 Arusha from Zanzibar?
418 km (259 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Zanzibar; by road roughly 509 km (317 mi).
How long does it take to get from Zanzibar to Arusha by train?
About 6 h, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Zanzibar and Arusha?
No, both are on Africa/Dar_es_Salaam at the moment.
Where can I stay in Arusha?
Our booking partner lists 652 places to stay in Arusha, 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.