Buying a SIM Card in Zanzibar: Best Prepaid SIMs for Tourists (2026)

If you are traveling to Zanzibar and want to stay connected, buying a local prepaid SIM card is still the best and cheapest way to get mobile data in 2026.

This guide is written specifically for travelers who want to buy a SIM card in Zanzibar on arrival and need clear, practical information about where to buy, which mobile network to choose, how SIM card registration works, and what prepaid data plans cost.

Based on independent mobile coverage data and personal travel experience, local prepaid SIM cards offer better coverage and better value than international SIM cards, roaming or tourist SIMs sold at the airport.

While eSIMs can be convenient for instant connectivity, they are generally more expensive. eSIMs are a great solutions, but higher price per Gigabyte.

Below you’ll find everything you need to know to buy a prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar quickly and confidently, including the best network, where to buy it, and what to expect when you arrive.

If you are traveling beyond Zanzibar or want a broader overview, you can also read my complete guide on buying a SIM card in Tanzania, which covers mobile networks, SIM card options, and SIM card prices across the country.

Last update: March 2026.

Best SIM Card for Zanzibar: Quick Recommendation

Video: In the video below, I show exactly how buying a SIM card in Zanzibar works and share my personal experience using local prepaid SIM cards on the island.

Where to Buy a SIM Card in Zanzibar

There are two main places where tourists can buy a prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar: at Zanzibar International Airport or in Zanzibar City / Stone Town. While SIM cards are available in both locations, there are important differences in price and value.

Buying a SIM Card at Zanzibar Airport

After arriving at Zanzibar International Airport, you will find SIM card kiosks in the arrivals area selling prepaid tourist SIM cards. There are two SIM card shops right are after the luggage belts area but BEFORE you go through the last customs luggage check.

There are only 2 luggage belts and on both sides there is a small SIM card shop.

Airport SIM cards are easy to buy and activated on the spot, but they are significantly more expensive than SIM cards sold in the city. Data packages and prices are clearly marked up for tourists. eSIMs are available as well as physical prepaid SIM cards.

Prices are not in local currency but in Euros and USD. That is your sign that you are dealing with tourist prices.

Conclusion: Buying a SIM card at Zanzibar Airport is convenient, but not recommended unless you need mobile data immediately after landing and don’t mind paying more.

But in that case you are better off ordering an eSIM for Tanzania online. Traveltomtom recommends Airalo and Sim Local eSIMs for Zanzibar.

Buying a SIM Card in Zanzibar City / Stone Town

The best place to buy a prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar is in Zanzibar City (Stone Town). Here you will find official mobile operator stores and small phone kiosks selling SIM cards at local prices. eSIMs are available as well as physical prepaid SIM cards.

In Stone Town, you can easily buy SIM cards from providers like Tigo Tanzania and Airtel Tanzania. Staff will register the SIM card for you, activate a data bundle, and make sure everything works before you leave the shop.

Prices in the city are much lower than at the airport, and you usually get better value in terms of data volume and validity.

Conclusion: If possible, wait until you reach Zanzibar City or Stone Town and buy your SIM card there. It is the best option for tourists.

Buying a SIM from Street vendors

The fastest way to get a local SIM in Zanzibar is from one the street vendors. They sit randomly under an umbrella around touristy hotspots, for example at the Stone Town spice and fish market.

These guys are fast, eSIMs are available, speak good English, do the proper SIM card registration in just 2 minutes and you get data plans for local prices.

Mobile Networks in Zanzibar (Coverage & Performance)

Tanzania has several mobile internet operators, but their coverage and performance vary significantly across Zanzibar. For travelers, choosing the right network makes a big difference, especially outside Zanzibar City.

The main mobile networks you will encounter in Zanzibar are Tigo Tanzania, Airtel Tanzania, Vodacom Tanzania, and Halotel. Based on independent mobile coverage data, only two of these networks are suitable for most tourists.

Tigo Tanzania

Tigo Tanzania offers the best overall mobile coverage in Zanzibar. The network shows strong signal density in Zanzibar City and along the north and west coast, where most hotels, resorts, and attractions are located.

Tigo also has a strong 5G coverage in Zanzibar City and several other places around the island. While the 5G is not exactly like the 5G at home, its presence indicates newer infrastructure and generally strong LTE performance across the island.

Conclusion: Tigo Tanzania is the best mobile network in Zanzibar for tourists in terms of coverage and reliability.

Airtel Tanzania

Airtel Tanzania has good 4G/LTE coverage across large parts of Zanzibar and performs well along main roads and populated areas. Coverage is generally reliable, but signal density is weaker compared to Tigo.

Airtel remains a solid option if Tigo SIM cards are not available, but it does not match Tigo’s overall coverage strength on the island.

Conclusion: Airtel Tanzania is the second best mobile network in Zanzibar.

Vodacom Tanzania

Vodacom Tanzania has limited and fragmented coverage in Zanzibar. The network mainly focuses on Zanzibar City, with weak or inconsistent signal in many tourist areas and along the coast.

Conclusion: Vodacom is not recommended for most travelers visiting Zanzibar.

Halotel

Halotel has very limited mobile coverage in Zanzibar and is not suitable for tourists who rely on mobile data for navigation, communication, or internet access.

Conclusion: Halotel should be avoided when buying a SIM card in Zanzibar.

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Best Prepaid SIM Cards for Tourists in Zanzibar

Based on independent mobile coverage data and real-world usability for travelers, there are only two prepaid SIM cards worth considering in Zanzibar. The others do not offer sufficient coverage to be reliable during your trip.

Note: when buying an eSIM for Tanzania on the internet check carefully on which mobile network the eSIM operates.

Best Prepaid SIM Card for Zanzibar: Tigo Tanzania

Tigo Tanzania is the best prepaid SIM card for tourists visiting Zanzibar. It offers the strongest and most consistent mobile coverage on the island, especially in Zanzibar City, along the west coast, and in popular tourist areas.

Tigo prepaid SIM cards are easy to buy in Stone Town, affordable, and suitable for navigation, messaging, social media, and general internet use throughout your stay.

Why choose Tigo Tanzania:

• Best overall mobile coverage in Zanzibar
• Strong LTE performance in tourist areas
• Solid 5G network
• Prepaid data bundles at local prices
• Widely available in Zanzibar City / Stone Town

Second Best Option: Airtel Tanzania

Airtel Tanzania is a good alternative if Tigo SIM cards are not available. Airtel offers decent 4G/LTE coverage in Zanzibar, particularly in tourist destinations and along main roads.

While Airtel performs well for basic use, coverage is slightly less dense than Tigo, which is why it ranks as the second-best option.

Why choose Airtel Tanzania:

• Good 4G/LTE coverage across large parts of Zanzibar
• Affordable prepaid data bundles
• Easy SIM registration in official stores

SIM Cards to Avoid in Zanzibar

Vodacom Tanzania and Halotel are not recommended for tourists visiting Zanzibar. Their mobile coverage on the island is limited and unreliable, especially outside Zanzibar City.

For this reason, these providers should be avoided when buying a prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar.

The same logic applies when choosing an eSIM for Zanzibar. Always check which local mobile network an eSIM provider uses before buying. Some international eSIMs operate on Vodacom Tanzania or other weaker networks in Zanzibar, which can result in poor coverage and unreliable data speeds.

If an eSIM clearly states that it operates on Vodacom and Halotel in Zanzibar, it is best to avoid it. For acceptable performance, an eSIM should connect to either Tigo Tanzania or Airtel Tanzania.

Zanzibar SIM Card Prices (2026)

Prepaid SIM cards in Zanzibar are very affordable when bought at local prices in Zanzibar City or Stone Town. Mobile data prices in Tanzania have been stable for years and usually become better over time, either through lower prices or larger data bundles.

Based on recent pricing trends, the examples below give a realistic indication of what travelers can expect to pay for prepaid mobile data in Zanzibar in 2026.

Typical Data Usage for Tourists

• 5 GB data: suitable for light to moderate use (maps, messaging, browsing)
• 10–15 GB data: ideal for navigation, social media, and regular internet use
• 20 GB or more: useful if you rely heavily on mobile data or have unreliable hotel WiFi

The WiFi in hotels was pretty disappointing in my experiences. I stayed at Nungwi Dreams by Mantis, House of Royals, Dantes Zanzibar and The Nest in Paje but mostly use my local SIM card data.

Tigo Tanzania Prepaid SIM Card Prices

Tigo Tanzania offers a wide range of prepaid data bundles and is the best-performing network in Zanzibar. In Tigo stores tourist can choose between a physical prepaid SIM cards as well as eSIMs.

For tourists, Tigo prepaid data prices in Zanzibar typically look like this:

• Small data bundles (around 5 GB): approximately $4–5 USD
• Medium data bundles (around 10 GB): approximately $8–10 USD
• Larger data bundles (around 20 GB): approximately $15–20 USD

Tigo charges a small one-time fee for registering a new SIM card, usually well under $1 USD.

Airtel Tanzania Prepaid SIM Card Prices

Airtel Tanzania offers SIMple and competitively priced prepaid data bundles. In Airtel stores tourist can choose between a physical prepaid SIM cards as well as eSIMs.

In practice, Airtel prepaid SIM prices for tourists are very similar to Tigo and can be expected to fall in these ranges:

• Small data bundles (around 6 GB): approximately $4–6 USD
• Medium data bundles (around 12 GB): approximately $9–11 USD
• Larger data bundles (around 20 GB): approximately $15–20 USD

Airport SIM Card Prices (What to Expect)

SIM cards sold at Zanzibar International Airport are tourist SIM cards and are priced significantly higher than local prepaid SIM cards sold in the city.

In 2026, travelers can realistically expect airport SIM card prices to look roughly like this:

• Small data packages (around 5 GB): approximately $20 USD
• Medium data packages (around 10 GB): approximately $30 USD
• Larger data packages (around 20 GB): approximately $40 USD

Compared to buying a prepaid SIM card in a local phone store around the island, airport SIM cards are typically two to three times more expensive for similar or smaller data allowances.

Conclusion: Airport SIM cards are convenient but offer poor value for money. Buying a prepaid SIM card in the city remains the best option for most travelers.

SIM Card Registration in Zanzibar (Passport & Activation)

SIM card registration is mandatory in Zanzibar and throughout Tanzania. Tourists can easily register a prepaid SIM card, but you will need to present your passport at the time of purchase.

When buying a local prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar, you also receive a local Tanzanian phone number starting with +255. This is useful for making local calls, receiving calls from hotels or tour operators, and sending SMS messages.

Most prepaid tourist data bundles in Tanzania also include local calling minutes and SMS, which can be handy if you need to contact local businesses or drivers without relying on internet-based apps.

This registration process is standard across Tanzania. For a full breakdown of how it works on the mainland, read my Tanzania SIM card guide.

What You Need to Register a SIM Card

• A valid passport
• A photo
• Your fingerprint

Registration is handled by the shop staff. People in Zanzibar are super friendly, but be patient. The staff will take a copy of your passport and enter all your details into the system, then they will take a photo of you and finally they will get your fingerprint. You do not need a local address.

How Long Does SIM Card Registration Take?

In most cases, SIM card registration in Zanzibar takes 5 to 10 minutes. But at times you can be unlucky with long waiting lines at the phone shops. Once registered, the SIM card and data bundles are activated immediately.

Staff will normally insert the SIM card into your phone or activate the eSIM for you, configure the internet settings if needed, and make sure mobile data is working before you leave the shop.

Important Things to Know

• SIM cards cannot be registered without a passport
• Registration is required even for short stays
• Each SIM card must be registered to one person
• You can use an eSIM alongside a local SIM

If you arrive late or on a day when phone shops are closed, this is another reason why having a small eSIM data plan as a backup can be useful until you are able to register a local prepaid SIM card.

Airalo already has an Tanzania eSIM with 1 GB data for less than $5 USD.

How to Buy & Activate a SIM Card in Zanzibar (Step-by-Step)

Buying and activating a prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar is straightforward and usually done for you at the shop. Follow the steps below to know exactly what to expect.

Step 1: Choose the Right Mobile Network

Based on mobile coverage and performance in Zanzibar, choose Tigo Tanzania as your first option or Airtel Tanzania as a backup if Tigo is not available.

Step 2: Visit a SIM Card Shop or street vendor

Go to an official mobile operator store, a reputable phone shop or an official street vendor around the island. These shops sell SIM cards at local prices and handle registration on the spot.

Step 3: Present Your Passport for Registration

Hand over your passport to the shop staff. SIM card registration is mandatory in Tanzania and cannot be completed without a valid passport.

The staff will enter your details into the system, take a photo of you and get your fingerprint as part of the registration process.

Step 4: Choose a Prepaid Data Bundle

Tell the staff how long you are staying and how much data you need. Most travelers choose a prepaid data bundle between 10 and 20 GB, depending on usage.

The staff will activate the selected data bundle for you.

Step 5: SIM Card Installation & Activation

The SIM card is usually inserted into your phone by the shop staff. They will activate mobile data, configure the internet settings if needed, and make sure the connection works before you leave.

Step 6: Test Your Connection

Before leaving the shop, make sure mobile data is working properly. Open a website or map app to confirm you are connected.

Once confirmed, you are ready to use mobile data throughout Zanzibar.

Best eSIM for Zanzibar (Convenience Option)

If you want the best mobile internet in Zanzibar, a local prepaid SIM card remains the best option. No international eSIM currently operates on the Tigo network, which offers the best coverage on the island.

That said, an eSIM can still be useful as a temporary solution, especially on arrival or as a backup until you buy a local SIM card.

Important: Check Which Network the eSIM Uses

When choosing an eSIM for Zanzibar, always check which local mobile network it operates on. Many eSIM providers do not clearly state this information.

For example Saily, SimOptions, Sim Local and GigSky do not specify the network used in Tanzania. If an eSIM operates on Vodacom or does not specify the local network at all, it is best avoided for Zanzibar.

At the moment, the best possible eSIMs for Zanzibar operate on the Airtel Tanzania network.

Best eSIM Option for Zanzibar

The most reliable eSIM option for Zanzibar is:

• Airalo (Tanzania eSIM) – operates on Airtel Tanzania

Airalo clearly states the local network it uses, offers affordable small data plans, and is easy to install before travel.

It is best used with a small data package (for example 1–3 GB) to stay connected during your first day. Airalo eSIM prices start from less than just $5 USD.

Click here for more info or to order an Airalo eSIM for Tanzania.

Traveltomtom readers now get $3 USD off their first Airalo eSIM when using the coupon code 'TOMTOM3' at check out.

When an eSIM Makes Sense in Zanzibar

• Late or early arrivals when phone shops are closed
• Getting online immediately after landing
• Navigation, ride pickup, and hotel check-in
• As a short-term backup alongside a local SIM

Conclusion: Use an eSIM in Zanzibar for convenience, not as a replacement for a local prepaid SIM card.

My Personal Experience Using SIM Cards in Zanzibar

The first time I landed at Zanzibar Airport and wanted to buy a local SIM card I was shocked by the tourist prices. I had traveled to Tanzania before and I knew how affordable local data plans were. So I was happy with my 1 GB eSIM to get through the arrival process without buying a sim card at the airport.

I have used multiple SIM cards and mobile data options while traveling around Zanzibar, including local prepaid SIM cards and international eSIMs.

In practice, the difference between networks on the island is noticeable. With a local prepaid SIM card on the Tigo Tanzania network, mobile data was consistently reliable across Zanzibar City, Stone Town, and when traveling around the island.

I also tested Airtel Tanzania, which performed reasonably well in urban areas but was slightly less consistent outside the main towns. Still, Airtel remains a solid second-best option if Tigo is not available.

When traveling to Zanzibar I always use a small Airalo eSIM for Tanzania data plan to get connected immediately after landing and to avoid buying an overpriced tourist SIM card at Zanzibar airport

This is super helpful for ordering a taxi, navigating to my hotel, and staying online until I visit a SIM card shop nearby my accommodation. However, since I am a heavy data user eSIMs are SIMply too expensive. Sometimes I use up to 3-5 GB per day.

My takeaway: get a small eSIM for the arrival then buy a local prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar for the best experience.

FAQ: SIM Cards in Zanzibar

Can tourists buy a SIM card in Zanzibar?

Yes. Tourists can easily buy a prepaid SIM card in Zanzibar. You will need a valid passport for SIM card registration, which is mandatory in Tanzania.

Where is the best place to buy a SIM card in Zanzibar?

The best place to buy a SIM card in Zanzibar is in Zanzibar City or Stone Town. SIM cards sold at the airport are available but significantly more expensive.

Which SIM card is best for Zanzibar?

The best SIM card for Zanzibar is Tigo Tanzania, as it offers the strongest and most reliable mobile data coverage on the island. Airtel Tanzania is a good second-best option.

Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Zanzibar?

Yes. A passport is required to register any SIM card in Zanzibar. SIM cards cannot be activated without passport registration.

Are eSIMs available for Zanzibar?

Yes, eSIMs are available for Zanzibar, but they operate on the Airtel Tanzania network and not on Tigo. eSIMs are best used as a short-term or arrival solution rather than a replacement for a local prepaid SIM card.

Is 5G available in Zanzibar?

Limited 5G coverage exists in Zanzibar City, but most travelers will use 4G/LTE. Coverage quality depends more on the network than on 5G availability. Tigo has the best 5G network in Zanzibar.

Does a Zanzibar SIM card also work in mainland Tanzania?

Yes. A SIM card bought in Zanzibar works throughout mainland Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and other cities.

Is WiFi in Zanzibar good enough without a SIM card?

WiFi in hotels and restaurants in Zanzibar can be slow or unreliable. Having a local prepaid SIM card is strongly recommended for navigation, communication, and general internet access.

Final Conclusion: Best Way to Get Mobile Data in Zanzibar

If you want the best mobile internet experience in Zanzibar, buying a local prepaid SIM card remains the clear winner in 2026.

Based on independent mobile coverage data and real-world use, Tigo Tanzania offers the strongest and most reliable coverage on the island, making it the best choice for most travelers. Airtel Tanzania is a solid second option if Tigo is not available.

Buying your SIM card in Zanzibar City or Stone Town gives you the best value for money. SIM cards sold at Zanzibar airport are convenient but come at tourist prices and are not recommended unless you need immediate connectivity.

eSIMs can be useful as a short-term solution, especially on arrival or as a backup, but they currently operate only on the Airtel Tanzania network and do not match the performance of a local prepaid SIM card.

For the best experience, use an eSIM only as a temporary bridge and switch to a local SIM as soon as possible. Traveltomtom recommends Airalo eSIMs for Zanzibar.

In short: arrive with a small eSIM if you want to stay connected right away, then buy a local prepaid SIM card in town for the rest of your trip.

Curious about my endless travels around the world and my road to visit every country? Check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom. As of 2026 I have visited almost every country, just a handful countries to go before finishing 197.

Enjoy your trip to Zanzibar!

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