TUI has announced it will become the only UK package holiday provider to offer non-stop direct flights from London to Zanzibar, an archipelago often described as a magical alternative to the Maldives. The new route, part of TUI's Winter 2027 programme, will depart from London Gatwick twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays starting November 3, 2027, with the last outbound flight on March 22, 2028.
Zanzibar, located off the coast of Tanzania, is a melting pot of African, Arab, Persian, and Indian cultures, offering idyllic beaches that rival the white sands of the Maldives. Tourism to the islands is booming, with 917,167 visitors in 2025, up 24.5% from the previous year. Tickets for the new route go on sale July 2.
Historically, travel to Zanzibar from the UK involved lengthy journeys with layovers. For example, a Metro reporter's trip in 2025 took 14 hours via Addis Ababa. Air Tanzania recently launched direct flights from London to Kilimanjaro, with plans to extend to Zanzibar. TUI's commitment further eases access for Brits.
Costs for travel vary: a flight via Nairobi in October 2026 costs around £668, while a route via Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines is about £1,021. Zanzibar's beaches, such as Kendwa, Nungwi, and Paje, offer crystal-clear waters, white sand, and activities like kite surfing. Kendwa was recently voted the best beach in Africa and fourth best in the world.
With easier access on the horizon, Zanzibar is poised to become a top winter destination for UK travelers seeking tropical beauty and cultural richness.
