Dar es Salaam Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and economic capital, is primarily served by one major international airport. However, the aviation landscape is undergoing a historic transformation with the opening of a brand new mega-airport. This guide explains the airports serving Dar es Salaam, including IATA codes, terminal layouts, and clear, plain-English explanations of how to get to and from each one.

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

Overview: This is Dar es Salaam’s longstanding primary international airport, located approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) southwest of the city centre. Named after Tanzania’s founding president, it has been the main gateway for international visitors and a hub for domestic flights to destinations like Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, and the Serengeti. Note: Its role is changing (see below).

Terminals:

• Terminal 2: The newer and larger international terminal, handling most international flights and some domestic services.
• Terminal 3: The older domestic terminal, primarily for flights to Zanzibar and other Tanzanian destinations.
• Terminal 1: A small, older facility used for cargo and some charter operations.

Transferring between Terminal 2 and 3 requires exiting security and walking or taking a short taxi ride (5 minutes).

Getting to and from DAR:

• Taxi:
  The most common option. Official airport taxis are available outside arrivals. Crucially: Fares are not metered. You MUST negotiate the price firmly before entering the vehicle. Expect to pay between TZS 25,000 to 40,000 ($10-$16 USD) to the city centre. Pre-booking through your hotel is often advised.
• Ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt):
  Uber and Bolt operate reliably in Dar es Salaam. This is often the best option for transparent, fixed pricing. The pick-up point is in the parking area; follow app instructions after collecting luggage.
• Hotel Shuttle:
  Many hotels and safari companies offer pre-arranged pick-up services.
• Private Transfer:
  Can be booked in advance for a stress-free arrival, especially for groups or those with lots of luggage.
• Public Bus (DART):
  The Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) system has a stop near the airport. It is extremely affordable but not recommended for travellers with luggage due to crowding and potential confusion with routes.

Best for: As of early 2025, DAR is still handling a significant portion of air traffic. However, its long-term role is transitioning as the new airport opens.

New International Airport (Under Development / Partial Opening)

Important Update: Tanzania is constructing a massive new airport, the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) Mega Project, at Kipawa, about 45 km (28 miles) southwest of the current DAR airport. As of late 2024/early 2025, the new facility has begun partial operations (e.g., some cargo flights).

What Travellers Need to Know:

• Phased Transition: Commercial passenger flights are expected to gradually move from the old DAR to the new JNIA over the coming months and years. The transition may be chaotic.
• Critical Action: When booking travel to Dar es Salaam from 2025 onward, and for several years, you must triple-check which airport your flight uses. Confirm the airport name and code with your airline. The IATA code may change or be reassigned.
• Distance: The new airport will be much farther from the city, making transportation more expensive and time-consuming (likely 60-90 minute drives).

Which Dar es Salaam Airport Should You Choose?

For the immediate future, most commercial passengers will still use the existing Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). However, this is a fluid situation.

Your #1 Priority: When you book your flight and again before you travel, explicitly confirm with your airline which airport your flight arrives at or departs from. The names are confusingly similar, but the locations are vastly different. Assume nothing.

Essential Information for Dar es Salaam Travel

Before You Go:

• Visas: Most travellers require a visa for Tanzania. These can often be obtained online as an e-Visa (recommended) or on arrival at the airport (which can involve long queues).
• Health: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. It may be checked.
• Currency: The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Have some US Dollars in crisp, new bills (post-2006) for potential visa-on-arrival fees, and then withdraw or exchange for shillings. ATMs and forex bureaus are available at DAR.

Upon Arrival at DAR:

• Immigration: Lines can be long and slow. Have all documents (passport, visa/printout, completed arrival form) ready.
• SIM Cards: Vendors are available in the arrivals hall. Purchasing a local SIM (Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo) with data is highly recommended for navigation and ride-hailing.
• Ground Transport: If not pre-booked, use the Uber/Bolt app for the best price control. If taking a taxi, negotiate aggressively before getting in. Do not accept the first price offered.

Domestic & Zanzibar Connections:

• DAR is the main hub for domestic flights to national parks (Kilimanjaro Airport-JRO, Seronera) and to Zanzibar (ZNZ).
• If connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, you must collect baggage, clear customs, check in again at the domestic terminal (T3), and clear security. Allow at least 3 hours between flights if on separate tickets.

Travel Tips for Dar es Salaam

Traffic: Dar es Salaam has some of the worst traffic congestion in Africa. Always add a significant buffer (1-2 hours) for any road journey to the airport, especially during rush hours (7-10am, 4-8pm).

Safety: Exercise standard big-city precautions. Use official transport, avoid displaying valuables, and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

Language: Swahili is the national language. English is widely spoken in the tourism sector, airport, and hotels, but less so by taxi drivers. Learning a few Swahili phrases (or having Google Translate ready) is helpful.

Bottom line: Dar es Salaam’s airport situation is in historic flux. Currently, you are most likely to use the existing DAR airport. Your absolute mandate is to confirm your airport with your airline. Plan for slow immigration, negotiate transport prices firmly or use ride-hailing apps, and always, always account for insane traffic when departing for your flight.