Flights from Spain to Zanzibar: Complete Guide and Tips

Airlines and Routes

Layovers in the Middle East

Madrid (MAD) → Doha (DOH) → Zanzibar (ZNZ)

Carrier: Qatar Airways Frequency: Daily MAD–DOH; daily DOH–ZNZ Flight times: MAD–DOH ~7 h 10 m; DOH–ZNZ ~5 h 50 m Typical fare (one‑way): USD 710 in economy when booked 2–4 months in advance Tip: Allow at least 2 hours for your Doha transit to clear immigration if you plan a lounge visit.

Madrid (MAD) → Dubai (DXB) → Zanzibar (ZNZ)

Carrier: Emirates (codeshare with flydubai) Frequency: Up to 3 daily MAD–DXB; 3–4 daily DXB–ZNZ Flight times: MAD–DXB ~7 h 05 m; DXB–ZNZ ~5 h 29 m Typical fare (one‑way): USD 800–900 including both segments Tip: Use the Dubai Connect service if your connection exceeds 8 hours for a complimentary hotel stay.

Layovers in Europe

Madrid (MAD) → Istanbul (IST) → Zanzibar (ZNZ)

Carrier: Turkish Airlines Frequency: 2 daily MAD–IST; daily IST–ZNZ (7 times/week) Flight times: MAD–IST ~4 h 10 m; IST–ZNZ ~7 h 25 m Typical fare (one‑way): EUR 850–950 including both legs Tip: Take advantage of the free Istanbul stopover hotel program on qualifying fares.

Layovers in Africa

Madrid (MAD) → Amsterdam (AMS) → Nairobi (NBO) → Zanzibar (ZNZ)

Carriers: KLM/Iberia to Amsterdam; KLM or Kenya Airways to Nairobi; Kenya Airways or Precision Air to Zanzibar Flight times: MAD–AMS ~2 h 30 m; AMS–NBO ~8 h 30 m; NBO–ZNZ ~1 h 40 m Typical fare (one‑way): USD 1,100–1,300 total Tip: If you prefer a single‑ticket itinerary, book through KLM’s website; codeshares handle baggage transfers seamlessly.

Typical Flight Durations and Stops

Spain to Zanzibar itineraries range from about 12 to 14 hours of flying time plus layovers. The fastest one‑stop is via Dubai (~12 h 35 m); Doha connections take roughly 13 hours. Multi‑stop routes via Amsterdam and Nairobi can exceed 15 hours of total travel when including ground time.

Average Prices and Seasonality

High season: June–October (peak beaches & safaris) – add 20–30 % to base fares. Shoulder seasons: November–December & March–May – moderate deals available. Low season: January–February – best discounts of up to 25 %, though early rainy showers possible. Booking window:

• Middle East connections: 2–4 months ahead.
• European/African connections: 4–6 months ahead.

Insider Tips for Travelers from Spain

• Use aggregator fare alerts: Set alerts on Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kayak to trigger when fares dip 10–15 % below average.
• Check nearby departure airports: Occasionally Barcelona–Doha or Valencia–Istanbul combos can yield savings.
• Visa considerations: No transit visa needed for Qatar or UAE if your layover is under 24 hours; Schengen nationals do not require a Turkish e‑visa for stays under 30 days when transiting via Istanbul.
• Lounge access hacks: Many credit cards (e.g., Iberia Visa) offer complimentary lounge entry at MAD and BCN—use them during long layovers.
• Pack strategically: For multi‑stop itineraries, choose airlines with generous baggage allowances (e.g., Emirates, Qatar) to avoid extra fees on regional legs.

Spain‑Specific FAQs

• Are there direct flights from Spain to Zanzibar? No—every route requires at least one stop, typically in Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Amsterdam/Nairobi.
• Which Spanish airport offers the fastest connection? Madrid‑Barajas via Dubai (Emirates) is the most time‑efficient one‑stop, averaging 12 h 35 m of flying time.
• Can I use Iberia Avios on these routes? You can redeem Avios on Iberia’s code‑share flights to Doha (with Qatar) or Dubai (with Emirates) when booked through the Iberia website.
• What’s the minimum connection time to book? For Middle East hubs, allow at least 2 hours. For Istanbul or Amsterdam, 3 hours is recommended to clear security and enjoy lounges.