Photo via Unsplash
Paje sits on Zanzibar’s east coast, roughly 45 minutes from Stone Town by road, and it is one of the most visited beach villages on the island. Anyone landing in Stone Town for the first time usually asks the same question: how to get from Stone Town to Paje? The honest answer depends on your budget, your group size, and how much freedom you want once you arrive. This guide breaks down every option, with real distances, real travel times, and real costs, so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Skip the taxi queue. Get your own rental car delivered free to Stone Town and drive to Paje on your own schedule.
How Far Is Paje From Stone Town?
The driving distance between Stone Town and Paje is approximately 45 to 49 kilometers, depending on the exact route and your starting point within Stone Town. By car, the journey takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour under normal traffic conditions. The road runs southeast across Unguja Island, passing small villages, spice farms, and open countryside before reaching the coast at Paje. There is no direct rail or metro option in Zanzibar, so every route to Paje involves a road journey, whether you are in a taxi, a shared minibus, or your own rental car in Paje.
Your Transport Options From Stone Town to Paje
There are four practical ways to travel from Stone Town to Paje. Each one suits a different type of traveler, so compare them against your own priorities before booking.
Taxi
A private taxi is the most common choice for tourists who want a direct, door-to-door ride without stops. Prices typically range from $25 to $35 for the one-way trip, and the journey takes about 45 minutes. Taxis are convenient for a single transfer, but the price adds up quickly if you plan to explore other parts of the island during your stay.
Dala-Dala (Local Minibus)
The dala-dala is Zanzibar’s local minibus network and the cheapest way to travel, often costing as little as $1 to $1.50 per person. It is slower, less comfortable, and runs on informal schedules rather than fixed timetables. Dala-dalas depart from the Mwanakwerekwe market area outside central Stone Town, so budget travelers should expect some walking and waiting before departure.
Shuttle Bus
Shuttle services collect passengers from Stone Town, or from various hotels around the island, and drop them directly at their accommodation in Paje. Tickets usually cost around $10 per person, making this a reasonable middle ground between a taxi and a dala-dala. Departures are limited to fixed times, so this option works best if your schedule is flexible.
Self-Drive Rental Car
Renting your own car gives you full control over departure time, route, and stops along the way. With self-drive car rental in Zanzibar, you pay a flat daily rate rather than a per-trip fare, so the car becomes more cost-effective the moment you plan a second outing, whether that is a beach day in Jambiani or a spice farm tour near Stone Town. It is the only option on this list that lets you stop for photos, food, or a detour without renegotiating a price.
Stone Town to Paje Cost and Time Comparison
Here is how the four options compare side by side for a one-way trip.
| Transport Option | Approx. Cost (One-Way) | Approx. Time | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Taxi | $25 – $35 | 45 minutes | Fixed route, no stops |
| Dala-Dala | $1 – $1.50 | 60–90 minutes | Fixed stops, no schedule |
| Shuttle Bus | ~$10 | 50–60 minutes | Fixed departure times |
| Self-Drive Rental Car | From $25 per day | 45 minutes (your pace) | Full freedom, unlimited stops |
For a single transfer, a taxi or shuttle covers the basics. For a multi-day stay with more than one outing planned, a rental car quickly becomes the better value, since the daily rate stays fixed no matter how many stops you make along the way.
Compare the numbers yourself. Message us your travel dates and we will confirm your car in under 2 minutes.
Why Renting a Car Is the Best Way to Reach Paje
The comparison above shows the numbers, but the real advantage of self-driving goes beyond price. Here is what a rental car adds to the journey that no taxi, shuttle, or dala-dala can offer.
Freedom to Stop Along the East Coast Road
The road from Stone Town to Paje passes spice farms, small trading villages, and quiet stretches of countryside. With your own car, you can pull over for a coconut, a photo, or a roadside market without paying a driver to wait or explaining your plans to anyone else.
No Waiting, No Fixed Schedules
Shuttles and dala-dalas run on their own timetable, not yours. A rental car means you leave when you are ready, whether that is early morning to beat the heat or late afternoon after a slow breakfast in Stone Town.
Better Value for Groups and Families
A taxi charges per trip, so costs multiply fast for a family or group exploring multiple beaches during their stay. A rental car is priced per vehicle per day, which means four or five people travel for the same flat rate as one. You can browse our full fleet to find the right size vehicle for your group before booking.
What You Need to Self-Drive in Zanzibar
Driving yourself in Zanzibar is straightforward once you understand the local requirements. Here is what to prepare before you set off for Paje.
Driving Permit Requirements
Visitors need a valid driver’s license from their home country, held for at least two years, along with an International Driving Permit obtained before travel. Zanzibar also requires a separate local temporary driving permit, which costs around $25 and is mandatory for any tourist driving on the island. This permit is arranged as part of the rental process, so there is no need to visit a government office yourself.
Road Conditions and Driving Tips
The main route between Stone Town and Paje is a sealed, well-maintained road. Traffic drives on the left, mirroring UK road rules, which can take a short adjustment period for visitors used to right-hand traffic. Watch for speed bumps near villages, motorbikes weaving between lanes, and pedestrians walking along the roadside, especially near market areas.
Fuel and Parking in Paje
Fuel stations are available along the main road before reaching Paje, so it is worth topping up before you arrive, since options within the village itself are limited. Most guesthouses, villas, and kite schools in Paje offer free parking for guests, and the village itself is compact enough that a car is rarely needed once you have settled in.
Photo via Unsplash
Best Route From Stone Town to Paje
The most direct route runs southeast out of Stone Town toward the airport road, then continues east across the island through small villages and spice-growing areas before reaching the coast at Paje. This road is used daily by taxis, tour vehicles, and rental cars, and it remains the fastest and most reliable way to reach the east coast. A vehicle with good ground clearance, such as the Toyota RAV4, handles this route comfortably, including the final stretch of sandy village roads leading into Paje itself.
Things to Do Along the Way to Paje
Driving yourself opens up the whole east coast, not just Paje. A short detour south takes you into Jambiani, an authentic fishing village with a quieter beach and fewer crowds, and travelers with an extra day often continue south to Jambiani for a slower pace after Paje’s livelier kite scene. Heading further south still, many visitors combine their trip with a Kizimkazi dolphin tour, watching wild dolphins in the Indian Ocean before heading back up the coast. None of these stops are practical on a fixed-schedule shuttle, which is another reason self-driving suits travelers who want to see more than one beach during their stay.
Photo via Unsplash
How to Book Your Rental Car for This Route
Booking a car for the Stone Town to Paje route takes a few minutes. Send your pickup location, travel dates, and preferred vehicle over WhatsApp, and you will receive confirmation along with your driving permit arrangements shortly after. Cars are delivered fully fueled to your hotel in Stone Town at no extra charge, with GPS and documentation ready before you leave. ZanDrive has handled this route for thousands of travelers, and you can learn more about our team before you book if you want background on how the service works. For questions about specific dates or vehicle availability, feel free to get in touch with our team directly.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to get from Stone Town to Paje
How far is Paje from Stone Town?
Paje is approximately 45 to 49 kilometers from Stone Town by road, on the southeast coast of Unguja Island.
How long does it take to drive from Stone Town to Paje?
The drive takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic and your exact route out of Stone Town.
How much does a taxi cost from Stone Town to Paje?
A private taxi typically costs between $25 and $35 for the one-way trip from Stone Town to Paje.
Is it better to rent a car or take a taxi to Paje?
For a single transfer, a taxi is simpler. For a multi-day stay with more than one planned outing, a rental car works out cheaper and gives you the freedom to stop, detour, and explore beyond Paje itself.
Can I drive myself from Stone Town to Paje?
Yes. The road is sealed and well maintained. You will need a valid driver’s license, an International Driving Permit, and a local Zanzibar temporary driving permit, which is arranged as part of the rental process.
What is the cheapest way to get to Paje from Stone Town?
The dala-dala is the cheapest option, costing around $1 to $1.50 per person, though it is slower and runs on informal schedules rather than fixed departure times.
Do I need a permit to drive a rental car in Zanzibar?
Yes. Alongside your home driver’s license and International Driving Permit, Zanzibar requires a separate local temporary driving permit, priced at around $25, which rental companies typically arrange on your behalf.
Is renting a car in Zanzibar safe for tourists?
Yes, provided you hold the correct permits, drive cautiously on the left-hand side, and stay alert for pedestrians, motorbikes, and speed bumps near villages. The main roads connecting Stone Town to the east coast are in good condition and used daily by tourists.
Can I get picked up from the airport instead of Stone Town?
Yes. Many travelers begin their journey directly from Zanzibar Airport rather than Stone Town, and cars can be delivered to arrivals so you can drive straight to Paje without a separate transfer first.
Ready to skip the taxi fares and drive to Paje on your own schedule? Reserve your car now and get on the road today.
