Tanzania Transportation

How to Get There

By Plane:
Tanzania has three international airports: Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport and Zanzibar International Airport. Many international airlines offer direct flights to Dar es Salaam, for example, there are flights from England, Netherlands, Switzerland, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia and so on. Besides, departure tax of about USD30 is levied on all international flights from the airports in Tanzania, and the tax is usually included in the air fares.

By Ship:
Time-consuming as it may be, to get to Tanzania by ship is a good way to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the ocean. And remember that the ship routes involving Kenya, Uganda, the Republic of Congo and Malawi are easily affected by the weather. And you will be charged a USD5-port-tax when taking regional or international passenger ship departing from Tanzanian docks.

By Bus:
If you plan to get into Tanzania by highway, you are advised to cross Kenya and enter Tanzania through the main border town, Namanga, which lies between Nairobi and Arusha. It is relatively easy to take regular shuttle buses and private vehicles connecting the two places to transit. And don’t forget to contact the corresponding agencies before starting the journey to obtain the required permission, such as Exit and Entry Permits, International Insurance, Vehicle Registration Certificate and Effective Driving License.

How to Get around in Tanzania

By Plane:
Air Tanzania and Precision Air Services provide domestic and regional flights with good service. Air Tanzania flights connect major cities and the islands of Zanzibar and Mafia. And there are flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha to Zanzibar everyday. Most of the planes are small-sized with a capacity of 12-15 passengers.

By Railway:
Tanzania’s railway network is making great progress, and there are two major railways: Tanzanian Railway Corporation and TAZARA. Domestic railways connect the main destinations: Kigoma, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam.

By Ship:
As there are many lakes in the country, travelling by ship is very convenient and low-cost. And it is necessary to travel by water from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. There are speedboats and ferryboats between the two places. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours, with fixed deparure everyday. Though it is a little risky, travelling by ship is a more relaxing and romantic way for travelers to experience Tanzania’s native culture.

By Intercity Bus:
Tourists usually choose intercity bus as land transportation means. There are several popular bus companies, like Royal Coach, Air Msae Bus Service, Scandinavian Express, and Tawfiq Bus Service.

By City Bus:
Bus is the main transportation mean inside the city. The buses are small-sized, poor-conditioned, but with low fare, thus it is a convenient and cheap way.

By Taxi:
Taxi is not so common in Tanzania. Only the major cities provide taxi service. What is more, there is no taximeter, so you have to set the taxi fee with the driver before taking it. It takes 500-550 Tanzania shillings from the airport to the city, about 60 Tsh for a short distance in the city and 70-80 Tsh for a 5-10 minute ride.