Flying from Muscat Airport (MCT) to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ): what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 5 hours 20 minutes.
The timezone in Zanzibar is UTC+3, which is one hour behind Muscat.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your MCT to ZNZ flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
Flying during a peak time such as August? School holidays and other popular periods can result in longer queues at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Getting to Zanzibar (and then exploring more of Tanzania!) is a cinch with Oman Air. This popular airline offers direct flights from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport.
Most travellers choose to fly with Oman Air on this route.
Oman Air is the most punctual carrier that offers MCT to ZNZ flights. An exceptional 82.35% of its services on this route arrive as planned.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to visit the city of your choice. Worthwhile stopovers between MCT and ZNZ include:
Dubai Airport
Hamad International Airport
Addis Ababa Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Muscat Airport (MCT) to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport flight is 218 €. A round-trip plane ticket right now is 350 €. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
It's usually best to book early if you're hoping to get cheap tickets from MCT to ZNZ. That's because flight prices are based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
May is the cheapest month for flights from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Snapping up cheap flights from MCT to ZNZ is a cinch with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a new discounted fare appears.
Lock in the right flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Handy information about Muscat Airport (MCT)
79% of flights taking off from Muscat Airport land at their destination on time.
Central Muscat to Muscat Airport is approximately 31 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 30 minutes to get there if you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving.
Expect a journey time of about 50 minutes on public transport.
Looking for a handy hotel close to MCT? If you've booked an early flight from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
Arriving at Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)
Consider booking a hotel near ZNZ if you're taking a late Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport flight. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Zanzibar Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from KARIBU KWETU ZANZIBAR, Auto-Union or Green Motion and explore beyond Zanzibar's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Zanzibar Airport about one week before your departure date.
When to fly to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)
The quietest month for a flight from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport is March, while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit Zanzibar based on whether you prefer a more fast-paced or easygoing experience.
The warmest month in Zanzibar is February, with the temperature ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your flights from Muscat Airport to Zanzibar Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap tickets from MCT to ZNZ in July if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF) on average.
Explore more of Tanzania
Zanzibar has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Tanzania you'll want to see. Around 418 kilometres north-west of Zanzibar, a visit to Arusha will keep you on the move. Start with popular sights like Kilimanjaro info, Kilimanjaro tours and kilimanjaro trekking.
If you're ready to explore another well-known destination in Tanzania, consider Morogoro, roughly 177 kilometres south-west of Zanzibar. Choma Waterfalls, Selous Choma Waterfall and Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve are among its highlights.