Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) Guide 2026
Julius Nyerere International Airport (IATA: DAR, ICAO: HTDA) is Tanzania's largest and busiest airport, serving Dar es Salaam, the country's commercial capital. Located 13 km south of the city centre, the airport handles over 3 million passengers annually. Named after Tanzania's founding father, it serves as a major hub for connections to Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, and Tanzania's world-class safari destinations including the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | DAR |
| Location | Kipawa, Dar es Salaam |
| Distance to City Centre | 13 km south |
| Terminals | 3 (T1 — domestic charters, T2 — domestic scheduled, T3 — international) |
| Annual Passengers | ~3.2 million |
| Runways | 1 (3,000m) |
| Operator | Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) |
| Elevation | 55 metres (182 ft) |
Getting There & Away
| Transport | Destination | Cost (TSH) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Taxi | City Centre | TSH 40,000-70,000 | 30-60 min | Agree fare before departure |
| Uber/Bolt | City Centre | TSH 20,000-40,000 | 30-60 min | Pick-up at car park |
| Airport Taxi | Msasani / Masaki | TSH 50,000-80,000 | 40-70 min | Expat/diplomatic area |
| DART Bus | City Centre | TSH 650 | 45-75 min | Cheapest option; walk to Kipawa stop |
| Hotel Shuttle | Various | Free-$30 | Varies | Most hotels offer transfers |
| Car Hire | Self-drive | $40-80/day | N/A | Available at terminal |
Dar es Salaam Traffic: Traffic in Dar is severe, especially on the main arteries during rush hours (7-9:30am and 4:30-7:30pm). The BRT (DART) bus system has improved commute times along its corridors. Allow extra time if departing during peak hours.
Terminal Facilities
Terminal 3 (International)
- Lounges: VIP lounge, Pearl Lounge ($35 per visit), airline lounges
- Food & Drink: Restaurants, cafes, fast food — options improved with terminal upgrades
- Shopping: Duty-free, Tanzanite shops, African crafts, coffee, spices
- WiFi: Free WiFi available (basic speed)
- Charging Points: Available at departure gates
- ATMs: CRDB, NMB, Stanbic, Standard Chartered
- Currency Exchange: Forex bureau in arrivals
Terminal 2 (Domestic)
- Scheduled domestic flights (Precision Air, Auric Air, Coastal Aviation)
- Basic food and refreshment options
- Transfer shuttle to Terminal 3 for international connections
Immigration & Visa on Arrival
Tanzania offers both visa on arrival and e-Visa:
Visa on Arrival
- Cost: $50 single entry (most nationalities)
- Documents: Passport (6+ months validity), return ticket, hotel booking, passport photo
- Payment: USD cash or card at the visa counter
- Processing: 15-30 minutes at the visa counter
e-Visa (Recommended)
- Apply at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel
- Faster processing on arrival
- Same cost ($50)
EAC Citizens: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and DRC citizens enter visa-free.
Queue Times: Immigration can take 30-60 minutes, especially when multiple international flights arrive simultaneously. e-Visa holders usually process faster.
Customs & Declaration
- Currency: Up to $10,000 (or equivalent) without declaration
- Alcohol: 1 litre spirits, 2 litres wine
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco
- Gifts: Items up to $500 in value
- Prohibited: Narcotics, firearms, ivory, wildlife products, plastic bags (thin type)
- Tanzanite: Export of unprocessed Tanzanite requires a permit
Currency Exchange & SIM Cards
Currency Exchange
- Forex Bureau: Available in arrivals — rates are fair for airport exchange
- ATMs: CRDB, NMB, Stanbic dispense TSH; international cards accepted
- USD: Widely accepted for tourism services; bring clean bills printed after 2006
- Tip: Exchange enough TSH for taxis and tips; USD works for hotels and safaris
SIM Cards & Data
| Operator | SIM Cost | 1GB Data | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom Tanzania | TSH 1,000 | TSH 1,000 | Best nationwide |
| Airtel Tanzania | TSH 500 | TSH 1,000 | Good urban coverage |
| Tigo (merged with Airtel) | TSH 500 | TSH 1,000 | Good in cities |
| Halotel | TSH 500 | TSH 1,000 | Growing rural coverage |
Vodacom M-Pesa is widely used in Tanzania for cashless payments. Register at the airport kiosk with your passport.
Airlines Operating at DAR
| Airline | Destinations | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Dubai | T3 |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | T3 |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | T3 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | T3 |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | T3 |
| South African Airways | Johannesburg | T3 |
| KLM | Amsterdam | T3 |
| Swiss | Zurich | T3 |
| RwandAir | Kigali | T3 |
| Precision Air | Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza | T2 |
| Coastal Aviation | Zanzibar, Selous, Mafia Island | T1 |
| Auric Air | Zanzibar, Arusha, Serengeti | T1/T2 |
Zanzibar Connections
| Option | Duration | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 20 min | $60-150 | Precision Air, Coastal Aviation, Auric Air |
| Fast Ferry | 2 hours | $35-70 | Azam Marine from Dar port; several daily |
| Charter Flight | 20 min | $200+ | Private charter available |
The fast ferry is popular and scenic but can be rough in bad weather. Flights are quick and affordable. Book either in advance during peak season (July-September, December-January).
Accommodation Near the Airport
Near Airport
- Protea Hotel by Marriott DAR — 5 km, modern, pool ($100-180/night)
- Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam — 8 km, reliable chain ($90-160/night)
- Airport Transit Hotel — Adjacent, basic transit accommodation ($40-60/night)
City Centre / Msasani
- Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam — Msasani, 5-star luxury ($180-350/night)
- Slipway Hotel — Msasani Peninsula, waterfront ($80-140/night)
- Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel — City centre, 5-star ($150-280/night)
Tips for Travellers
Arrival Tips
- Have your e-Visa or visa on arrival fee ($50 USD) ready
- Bring clean US dollar bills (printed after 2006) — old bills may be rejected
- Get a Vodacom SIM for M-Pesa and data connectivity
- Dar es Salaam is hot and humid year-round (28-33°C)
- Use Uber/Bolt rather than unofficial taxis for safety and fair pricing
Departure Tips
- Arrive 3 hours before international flights
- Buy Tanzanite at duty-free (unique to Tanzania)
- Allow extra time during rush hours for traffic
Transit Tips
- If connecting to Zanzibar, consider flying (20 min) rather than the ferry
- For safari connections to northern Tanzania, fly to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha
- Southern Tanzania safaris (Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha) connect from DAR on Coastal Aviation
Frequently Asked Questions
Airport taxis cost TSH 40,000-70,000 (30-60 min). Uber/Bolt costs TSH 20,000-40,000. The DART rapid transit system is cheapest at TSH 650 but requires walking to Kipawa stop. Most hotels offer transfers.
Yes, most nationalities can get a visa on arrival for $50 (single entry). Bring USD cash, passport photos, return ticket, and hotel details. Apply for an e-Visa at visa.immigration.go.tz for faster processing.
Fly (20 minutes, $60-150 on Precision Air, Coastal Aviation, Auric Air) or take the Azam Marine fast ferry (2 hours, $35-70). Both depart frequently. Book in advance during peak season.
Yes, free WiFi is available in the terminals. Speed is basic. Buy a Vodacom or Airtel SIM with data at the arrivals hall for better connectivity and M-Pesa mobile money.
Bring clean US dollar bills printed after 2006 — older notes may be rejected. USD is widely accepted for tourist services. TSH is used for local purchases. ATMs dispense TSH.