Travel to Tanzania
Flying to Tanzania
Tanzania is well connected by international air routes, with three main international airports serving different parts of the country.
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam is the principal gateway and handles the majority of long-haul and regional traffic. It offers connections to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other African destinations. Major international carriers flying into DAR include Emirates, KLM, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways, alongside regional operators such as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and RwandAir.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located between Arusha and Moshi, is the preferred entry point for visitors heading to the northern safari circuit or planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It receives direct and seasonal flights from several European cities as well as regional hubs.
For those travelling directly to the Zanzibar Archipelago, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) provides international connections, particularly from the Middle East, Europe and East Africa. Charter flights are common during the high season.
The national carrier, Air Tanzania, operates selected regional and international routes, while domestic airlines such as Precision Air and Coastal Aviation connect major cities with safari airstrips and island destinations. Most long-haul travellers reach Tanzania via a hub in Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Addis Ababa or Nairobi, with onward connections into the country.
Flight times:
From London to Dar es Salaam: 11 hours (including stopover).
Airport guides
Airport Code: DAR. Location: Julius Nyerere International Airport is situated 12km (8 miles) southwest of Dar es Salaam. Money: There are banks, ATMs and a bureau de change at the airport. Read more
Travel by rail
The most notable route is the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, commonly known as TAZARA, which connects Dar es Salaam with Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. Built in the 1970s with Chinese assistance, the line provides a cross-border passenger service linking Tanzania with southern Africa. Trains operate several times a week, though schedules can vary and journeys are long, often taking more than 40 hours. Sleeper cabins are available.
There are currently no direct passenger rail services between Tanzania and Kenya or other neighbouring countries.
Driving to Tanzania
Tanzania shares borders with Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, providing multiple entry points across East and Southern Africa.
The busiest and most straightforward crossing is between Kenya and Tanzania at Namanga, linking Nairobi with Arusha. This is a well-used route for safari travellers combining Kenya and Tanzania. Another popular crossing is at Holili/Taveta, near Mount Kilimanjaro, which is convenient for those travelling between Mombasa and northern Tanzania.
From Zambia, the Tunduma border post is a major entry point on the Great North Road, forming part of the Cape to Cairo overland route. To the south, crossings from Malawi and Mozambique are used by regional traffic and overland expeditions. The Rusumo border between Rwanda and Tanzania is another key crossing in the west.
Border procedures can take time, particularly during busy periods, so travellers should allow extra time for formalities. In addition, foreign visitors driving into Tanzania must ensure they have valid vehicle registration documents, insurance recognised in Tanzania and, if applicable, a COMESA Yellow Card for cross-border motor insurance. An International Driving Permit is recommended in addition to a national driving licence.
Getting to Tanzania by boat
Tanzania has a long Indian Ocean coastline and several major lakes, but international passenger arrivals by water are limited.
There are no regular international ferry services linking Tanzania with neighbouring coastal countries such as Kenya or Mozambique. Most maritime traffic along the coast is commercial rather than passenger-based.
On the Great Lakes, cross-border boat services do operate, though they are generally local rather than tourist-oriented. Passenger ferries run across Lake Tanganyika between Tanzania and ports in Zambia and Burundi, and there are services on Lake Victoria linking Tanzanian ports with Uganda. Schedules can change and facilities are basic, so these routes are mainly used by regional travellers and those undertaking overland journeys.
Cruise ships:
Cruise ships occasionally call at Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar during the East Africa cruise season. Port of Dar es Salaam is the country's main seaport and receives visiting cruise liners, while ships also anchor off Stone Town in Zanzibar, allowing passengers to explore its historic streets and coastal attractions.
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