Tanzania Airports Guide 2026
Tanzania has three international airports serving its diverse tourism offerings: Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (the commercial capital), Kilimanjaro International Airport (gateway to safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro), and Zanzibar Airport (the tropical island paradise). Whether you are climbing Kilimanjaro, seeing the Great Migration in the Serengeti, or relaxing on Zanzibar's beaches, this guide covers everything.
Tanzania's Airports
| Location: Kipawa, Dar es Salaam | Distance to City: 13 km |
| Terminals: 3 | Passengers: ~3.2 million/year |
Tanzania's busiest airport and main international hub. Direct flights to Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Zurich, and many African cities. Gateway to Zanzibar (20-min flight), southern safaris, and Mafia Island.
Full Airport Guide| Location: Between Arusha & Moshi | Distance to Arusha: 46 km |
| Terminals: 1 | Passengers: ~900,000/year |
Gateway to the northern safari circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) and Mount Kilimanjaro. Direct flights from Amsterdam (KLM), Istanbul, Doha, and Nairobi. Starting point for Africa's highest peak.
Full Airport Guide| Location: Kisauni, Zanzibar | Distance to Stone Town: 5 km |
| Terminals: 2 | Passengers: ~1 million/year |
Gateway to Zanzibar's UNESCO Stone Town and world-class beaches. Direct flights from Istanbul, Doha, Muscat, and seasonal European charters. Growing rapidly as Africa's premier beach destination.
Full Airport GuideEssential Airport Information
Visa
Most nationalities can get visa on arrival ($50) at all three airports, or apply for an e-Visa at visa.immigration.go.tz. EAC citizens enter visa-free. The same visa covers Zanzibar (no separate entry needed).
Currency
The Tanzanian Shilling (TSH) is the local currency. USD is widely accepted for tourism services. Bring clean US dollar bills printed after 2006 — older bills may be rejected.
SIM Cards & M-Pesa
Vodacom Tanzania has the best coverage and offers M-Pesa mobile money. SIM registration requires passport. Data is very affordable (1GB from TSH 1,000).
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
| Your Plan | Best Airport | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) | JRO (Kilimanjaro) | Closest to Arusha, safari starting point |
| Climb Kilimanjaro | JRO (Kilimanjaro) | 40 km from Moshi (climbing base) |
| Zanzibar Beach Holiday | ZNZ (Zanzibar) | Direct access, 5 km to Stone Town |
| Safari + Zanzibar Combo | JRO in, ZNZ out | Open-jaw ticket; fly to safari, end at beach |
| Southern Safaris (Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha) | DAR | Domestic flights from DAR to southern parks |
| Business / Transit | DAR | Most international connections |
Airport Comparison
| Feature | DAR | JRO (Kilimanjaro) | ZNZ (Zanzibar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Routes | 15+ | 5+ | 5+ seasonal |
| Visa on Arrival | Yes ($50) | Yes ($50) | Yes ($50) |
| Taxi to City | TSH 40-70K | $40-60 | $10-15 |
| Terminal Quality | Good | Good | Upgraded |
| WiFi | Free | Available | Free |
| Safari Access | Southern parks | Northern circuit | Via DAR/JRO |