Independent operator guide
Azam Marine tickets for Zanzibar
Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries operate the principal passenger crossing between central Dar es Salaam and Stone Town. This page focuses on the operator-specific questions travellers ask before choosing a departure: published fares, age bands, cabin classes, luggage, reporting and fleet variation.
Current published reference
Fare categories are tied to residency, age and cabin
Azam publishes separate adult and child prices for Tanzanian residents and non-residents. Children are defined as ages 5–11, adults as 12 and over, and the operator states that children under five are not eligible for booking. The booking result for the exact departure remains the governing price.
| Class | Resident adult | Resident child | Non-resident adult | Non-resident child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | TZS 40,000 | TZS 30,000 | USD 35 | USD 30 |
| Business | TZS 50,000 | TZS 50,000 | USD 40 | USD 40 |
| VIP | TZS 80,000 | TZS 80,000 | USD 60 | USD 60 |
| Royal | TZS 120,000 | TZS 120,000 | USD 100 | USD 100 |
Checked against Azam Marine's published rates on 23 September 2026. Online totals, taxes, exchange treatment and available classes can change.
Before choosing a class
The vessel matters as much as the class name
Azam runs a mixed Kilimanjaro fleet. Published layouts show that not every vessel carries every cabin: Kilimanjaro VI lists Royal, VIP, Business and Economy; Kilimanjaro VII lists Royal, VIP and Economy; and other vessels have their own configurations. A class name is therefore not proof of one identical room on every sailing.
Compare the class offered on the actual date, look for the assigned vessel where the seller provides it, and expect substitutions to remain possible for operational reasons. Economy is the straightforward budget choice. A higher class may provide more space or a quieter cabin, but every passenger remains on the same vessel and experiences the same sea conditions.
Travel-day rules
Report early and keep documents accessible
Azam's general terms ask passengers to report at least one hour before departure. Follow the confirmation when it gives an earlier or more specific time. Carry the passport or accepted travel document used for the booking, along with any evidence needed for a resident fare.
The operator publishes a 25 kg luggage allowance per passenger and charges for excess. Ask in advance about unusually large items, and keep medicine, documents, valuables and electronics in your carry-on. Azam also tightly restricts carrying and consuming alcohol; do not assume that a sealed bottle in checked luggage is acceptable.
For changes or cancellations, act before departure through the channel named on the ticket. Azam's published rates page says cancellation should be handled at its office at least two hours before departure and warns that a missed sailing is not refundable. The purchased fare terms take precedence if they are more specific.
Booking decision
Choose the departure that protects the whole itinerary
Start with the date and direction, then compare departure time, final total, class and change conditions. A slightly later ferry can be the better choice after an international flight because airport formalities and Dar traffic occur before the port's reporting window. For the return, leave a large buffer before any flight because the tickets do not protect one another.
Continue planning