All You Have to Know About Dar Es Salaam Airport
Dar es Salaam Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport (IATA code DAR), is the main airport in Tanzania. It has two terminals Terminal 2 – for international flights and bigger domestic aircraft and smaller Terminal 1 for domestic flights, mainly operating smaller aircrafts.
Despite being the main airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport is fairly small in comparison to other foreign airport and easy to navigate.
Getting Visa on Arrival on Dar Es Salaam Airport
Those travellers that arrive to Dar airport and need to obtain entry visa on arrival should be prepared to wait in long queue.
Getting Tanzanian visa is slow process and could take up to two hours according to our experience.
Usually air carriers distribute visa forms already prior to landing. If not, forms are available at the immigration area. It is wise thing to have pen with you in check in baggage. After filling in the immigration form, you hand papers, passport and exact sum of US Dollars to immigration officer. Make sure US banknotes are issued after 2006.
Customs and Visa Policy in Tanzania
From here on there is no processing order. You could be among first passengers submitting documents and money but it doesn’t mean you will get served first. Immigration clerks take time and work slow.
When is finally your turn, immigration staff calls your name, they scan your fingertips and eyes, you are ready to proceed to next window to get entry stamp. Next stop is baggage claim.
Dar Es Salaam Airport Guide
Layovers – Waiting at Dar Airport for Flight
In case you have a long layover and plan to wait at Dar airport get ready for uncomfortable metal benches in outside waiting area. Although airport is open 24/7, there is no bar or shop operating in the late hours. Bring a stock of drinking supplies and food with you.
Once you enter the departures lounge inside the airport, duty free shop is open as well as snack bar. In case you are a freezing type, bring a warm fleece or some other warm clothes as airport is heavily air conditioned.
Parking and Taxis on Dar Airport
Airport is 12 kilometres out of Dar es Salaam. Airport has reasonably big parking as well as taxis are easy to find. Actually, don’t worry taxi drivers will find you!
To assure your safety its good idea to arrange taxi or transfer from hotel.taxis are unmetered, make sure you confirm the price with taxi driver before you sit in!
Taxi prices from Dar Airport range between 25 to 40 US Dollars. The road to Dar airport is heavily congested during rush hours in the morning and afternoon. Despite the proximity, ride could take up to one hour or even more.
Dar es Salaam Airport – Going From Terminal 2 to Terminal 1
If you need to continue with flight from Terminal 1, there are airport vans available, ride will cost you 10 000 TSH, its slightly negotiable!
In general Terminal 1 is much nicer than terminal 2! Free internet available in departures lounge.
Air companies flying from Terminal 1
Small sized aircrafts: ZAN Air, Air Excel, Coastal Aviation, FlightLink, Tropical Air, Regional Air
Nearest Hotels to Dar Es Salaam Airport
The nearest accommodation to Dar es Salaam airport, less than a mile away is Transit Motel. They also have another location, similar proximity to the airport, called Transit Motel Ukonga. Prices per single room are around 40 USD.
If you plan to have some rest in either Transit Motel or Transit and Ukonga make booking as soon as possible in advance, as they are oftentimes fully booked.
They have 24/7 check in policy and are willing to arrange taxis for guests. Its just a five minutes drive from DAR airport, however those contemplating to get to hotel by foot, personally I wouldn’t walk there alone, neighbourhood might seem off-putting for Africa beginners. When I visited I remember having them only cold shower, be prepared:)
Motel is decent and if one has to choose either sitting at the airport during layover or going to rest here, Transit Motel will do just fine but dont expect a luxury. Bedrooms are small, plumbing can be sometimes air conditions could be loud, due to proximity of Dar es Salaam airport, noise from planes can be heard.
There are also Trinity Airport Hotel and Kicheck Guest House. All of them can be found on booking.com .
Thank you for your blog post, very useful! Do you have any idea whether the airport vans are still running and whether they run during the night time? I can’t find any information on this anywhere.
Hello Yasmin, uf I cant comment on this one. I have spent many times waiting for departure till 2 am at international terminal, but i dont remember seeing airport vans. I think its best if you call the airport and ask them. I will for sure research next time when on DAR airport again. Please let me know what you found out. Nina Zara
Hello, great information!
I have a flight arriving in Dar around 1.20pm with fastjet and departing on emirates at 4.50pm. in your experience do you think this will be enough transit time? Thanks 🙂
Hello Nicola, well theoretically you have enough time. Both airlines operate on international terminal, however be quick with picking up the luggage from Fastjet. There are usually queues to enter the airport again because of scanners and security check.
Hello,
i am arriving in Dar es salaam at 9:15 using fast jet and then flying to zanzibar at 12:00 PM using air viva and i would still get my visa during that time do you think this is enough or should i book another later flight to zanzibar? noting that i will have a backpack so i can just take it on board with me if possible
Hello Rowaida! Personally I would go for the schedule you have under condition both flights are operating on same terminal.In case there is crowed on customs for visa I would politely ask other travellers if they could let me skip the queue because of onward flight. Also mention to clerks dealing with visa. Just my opinion of course. Do same when checkin in again for flight for Zanzibar.
hello nice blog,
I have a flight arriving in Dar around 13.18 at international terminal and and then flying to zanzibar at 16:00 using Precision air, do you this is enough time for transfer from international terminal to domestic treminal?
as you mention there are airport vans available going From Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, is it easy to find ?
thanks
Hello Ming, if nothing changed in recent months, Precission air leaves from same terminal. If you are arriving to the main international terminal, you are ok. No need to go to the small one. Best thing is to check on Precision air counter just in case.
thank you~~
You are welcome Ming! Wish you great time in Tanzania! Nina Zara
Hi Nina,
Is there anything to do close to Dar airport to kill time?
How much time do you have?
We are arriving from IST (on Turkish), and then connecting on a SAA flight to JNB. We’re flying in business class on both legs, and have about a 3.5 hour layover, and will be checking in bags (hopefully all the way through; it’s all on one ticket, from what I understand.) Do I need to clear immigration & customs, or can I just simply walk from the arrivals gate to the departure gate?
Hello there, these are one of of those delicate questions, that its best to check with airline. Usually if you have one ticket, luggage is checked in at the beginning and you take it out at final destination. I never had a layover in Dar es Salaam with one flight so i am just guessing here – according to what i have seen, you will not be able to just walk out, I think you will have to go to transit and from there out through eye check, passport check, etc… and also buy transit visa which costs 30 USD. In three hours you will not be able to do anything in Dar es Salaam, the customs is slow, city is far or traffic is so congested that i would not risk going to the city if you want to catch a flight. Outside the airport there is not much, its actually one of those airports more on uncomfortable side, now they have a fast food chain and some booths selling mobile cards and souvenirs. I would just stay in transit if I was you.
Hello Nina, we’re travelling this summer to Zanzibar. To fly back home we have to be at 20:50 (last chek-in time) at terminal 2 in Dar es Salaam. Departure time is 22:20 (swiss air).
Have I enough time to go to the check-in in terminal 2, when I’ll land from Zanzibar at 18:20 at terminal 1 (Coastal)? Or is it better to take a flight with landing directly at terminal 2 at 18:05 or 19:30 (Percision Air)?
Thank you for any advice!
Been on this Swiss Air flight:) I usually try to complicate to zero degree, If I was you would take Precission air.
Many, many thanks Nina! So, you mean I should be in DAR at 18:05?
I am one of those people who are always afraid i will miss a flight, i would take the arrival at 18h, Staff at the airport is sometimes slow, so better be safe than sorry:)
You’re great! Many thanks!!
You are welcome Franco, wish you great time on Zanzibar!
We arrived at Dar Es Salaan on an international Turkish Airlines flight at 2:30 am. We plan to take a flight to Kilimanjaro airport by Precision Air at 5am. Is 2 hours and 30 minutes enough time to visa and change terminals? We only carry carry-on luggage so we won’t have to wait for luggage to be picked up.
Do you know which terminal Auric Air flies out of? We are flying into Dar internationally and then booking a flight to Zanzibar. Our options are Auric Air and Coastal Aviation. Are both reliable?
As far as I know both airlines fly from domestic terminal. There are licensed transfers, costing 10 000 TSH to take you there. Its near. Just in case double check on info stand to make sure. Didn’t fly with Auric, did fly with Coastal air, had no problems. Flights were always on time. Make sure you have the exact luggage weight, they are very touchy regarding the weight of luggage and charge for each exceeding kilo.
Hi, thanks for the guide, I a man flying to Zanzibar with air viva. Do you know which terminal that would be from?
Hello Henry, i think air viva is only meta search engine for flights, you should look for airlines logos of local tanzanian airlines, like zan air etc.. I suggest you double check your booking and find the airline name.
Hello. I fly into Dar Es Salam at 5:45 am and my connecting flight is with Precision Air at 7:30 am. I already have my Tanzania visa. Is this enough time or should I hire an escort service to fast track me thru the airport? Thank you Kim
Hi Kim, if you have visa in your passport you will go straight to customs where they will check your documents and take your fingerprints and eye scan. Since majority that arrives is applying for visa, you will be probably among the first passengers that will come through. However, you will have to wait for your luggage.
Hi Nina,
You seem to be very good in answering questions about travelling in and out of Tanzania so here is mine 🙂
We have our flight from dar es salaam to abu dabi at 12.30. Do you think we can catch this flight if we take the first boat from zanzibar to dar that same day? The boat should leave at 7am and arrive in dar at 9am so this gives us 3 hours to go to the airport and check-in. Would this be possible to your opinion?
Another question is: we will enter Tanzania over land via the Kenyan border in Namanga, do you know if we can get our visa for Tanzania at that border control point?
Thanks a lot!!!
Kind regards,
A.
hello Arianne! Thanks for stopping by, yes this post comment thread turned into Q and As. Its hard to say, whatever you decide, keep in mind that traffic in Dar es Salaam in the mornings is heavily congested therefore If I was you I would not risk, in my opinion the time frame is just too small and ferry port is not that close to the airport. Why arent you flying form Zanzi? There are cheap flights and you get straight to the airpot and save time? Tough question.Regarding Namanga border, I didn’t cross it personally so I can not give you any info from first hand.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Nina, this page is incredibly helpful, thank you! I am wondering if you have any advice from your knowledge: I am flying in to Dar on Rwanda Air landing about midnight, and then have a domestic flight on Auric Air around 7AM. The folks I am coming to stay with told me I WILL be able to get my VISA during this time, so that is good, but I am wondering about how else to pass the time safely… since I’m coming in on an international flight but leaving domestic, and the nice Tanzanite Lounge is apparently in the international departures area, am I doomed to an uncomfortable wait? Will I be generally safe? And is there wifi wherever I will need to be waiting? Thanks so much if you’re able to help!
Polly
Hi Nina, is the Visa Office open 24 hours a day? We will land at Julius Nyerere airport in the heart of the night, 3:15 am ! Thank you in advance ! Gabriele
Hi Gabriele, yes every time plane lands customs and visa are open. Its part of process to obtain visa.
Hi Nina – This page is very informative! I am flying on my own from Kilimanjaro airport to Julius Nyerere and then on to Abu Dhabi. My flight from Kilimanjaro gets in at 23.20 and the flight out to Abu Dhabi is not until 13.35 the following day so I have a 14 hour wait overnight at the airport. Will there be somewhere safe and comfortable to be and will I be able to get Wifi?
Hi Ella, thanks for reading. Wow this is such a long time:) I am not sure about wifi, I always use my mobile internet from local sim card that is reasonably cheap, things might change. If you have a chance book something near airport and get a sleep and breakfast in the morning rather than spending night at Dar airport. If you will have to wait outside on the metal benches, everything is closed after 10 pm. As far as i know you can only enter the lounges (too nice word it) after you check in for flight that means about three hours before departure.
Hello Nina,
Thanks for such a great website and resource. I’m heading to Kilimanjaro and need to take one of the low cost carriers to and from JRO (Fastjet or Precision Air). My main question is in regard the timing between flights at DAR airport. I have business class flight on South African Airlines that leave DAR at 15:35. My planned Fastjet flight from JRO to Dar arrives at DAR at 13:50. That gives me 1hr 45mins to collect my baggage and check into the flight run by SAA and then clear security. Do you think that is reasonable? I was also wondering if having a business class ticket would help at all with check in and security for the SAA flight. I am leaning toward Fastjet as they have a bit more liberal carry on allowance (for my camera gear) than does Precision Air, even though Precision Air has an earlier flight. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
Doug
Hi Doug, thanks for stopping by! I am not familiar with SAA policy about the check in times, usually three hours before departure one should be at the airport for international flights. All carriers have Business class has special check in line until they clear the passengers… I really dont feel its my place to say what you should do, i can say flights are on time in Tanzania, if there are no delays its probably enough time for you to catch the next flight but keep in mind you need to reenter airport and the there is scanner usually queue, then check in, go through customs procedure, eye scan, fill in papers for exiting the country,,.. this can consume time. It a bit tight:) Regarding the carry on allowance, it depends on the person that works on the counter, i oftentimes travelled with too big luggage for carry one standards (Fast jet) and nobody asked me anything, maybe I was lucky.
Hi Nina,
Thanks for such great and informative website.
I have another question about connection time in DAR. I will be taking one of the low cost carriers( Fastjet or Precision) to and from Kilimanjaro airport. My question pertains to my flight from JRO to DAR. The proposed fast jet flight arrives at 13:50 and my next flight on South African Airlines leaves at 15:35. That gives me 1 hr 45 min to collect my luggage and check in and clear security with SAA. Seems tight to me but the Fastjet has more liberal carry on requirements (for my heavy camera gear). The last point is that my flight on SAA will be in business, so I wasn’t sure it that would speed up my check in and security in DAR?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks
Hi thanks for all that info, a useful service.
I arrive at Dar 230 AM in a few weeks and propose to book a 7AM onward flight to Zanzibar with Flight Link. I have my visa. They tell me the airports are 15 mins apart although other sources suggest the domestic and international terminals are just a few hundred meters apart.
Is there more than one domestic terminal?
Is it fairly hassle free with somewhere to sit? With arrival procedure and check-in times I probably only have about 3 hrs to wait. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks for reading Barrie! If nothing changed then the other smaller terminal that serves for small planes is just about 5, 7 minutes away by car. I changed airports during the day, so I am not sue if domestic terminal is open in the night. It is very basic airport. I just went to licensed airport transfer…
I would suggest you to ask Flight Link if its open in the middle of the night, otherwise rather wait on DAR airport and leave later, its not that comfortable but at least there are benches outside to sit and rest room.
Much obliged for the response – can I call you Safari? I’ll take your advice and lurk in in Nyerere for a while.
Hi,
We arrive on precision air from Zanzibar and have 1.5 hours to catch our KLM flight to Amsterdam…is this enough time, and do we have to go to a different terminal?
I assume our checked baggage will proceed through so we won’t need to collect & queue again-is that right?
Thanks, in anticipation
Anth
Hi Anthony, the usual rule for international flights is to be there at least three hours before the boarding. I suggest you check on your flight ticket or contact the airlines for accurate check in time.
Hi Nina,
Loving your responses to all questions on the blog! I have a question for you too. We’re heading back from Zanzibar to Chicago with an 8 hour layover in Dar Es Salam. Same KLM flight out to Amsterdam that Anthony has mentioned above. We land around 3:30 PM and flight out is at midnight. Do you have any recommendations on things to do to kill time/explore the city? We’re not even sure what we could do to our luggage for those 8 hours in case we decide on leaving the airport and visiting the city. Any ideas/recommendations?
If you do think it’s not worth leaving the airport and figuring out a way to store our bags we could just delay our flight to Dar Es Salaam so that the layover was shorter too
Hello ZeeQ, thanks for stopping by on my blog:) My opinion and experience, as far as it feels looong time, its just right. You arrive at half past three, you will have to pick up baggage from the flight, this may take 5 minutes or 30 minutes, then consider traffic jams, its rush hour in Dar es Salaam, means you can spend up to two hours to get to the city, (if you believe it or not I have been through this), Dar es Salaam itself is huge, its not like Barcelona or other cities where you go and do some sightseeing, so there is not much to see, it is also good to know areas if you go, as it is can be dangerous ( muggings, etc) then you have to go back to airport, again a gamble, might be 45 minutes might be two hours, then you have check in and waiting in line, filing the papers for exit, going again through customs, scanners,….. another thing is, if nothing changed, there is no possibility to lock luggage at the airport. I would stick to the airport:)
Hi,I have question for you too!!! We arrive from Istambul on friday 03:05:00. We already have Tanzania vizas, so we want to buy tickets to Arusha about 7AM(I think it is the first plane in the morning). Is it enought time to collect our luggage and check in and clear security ???
Hey Rima, Are you flying Turkish? My experience with similar times, I flew from Istanbul and had a 7 AM flight to Lusaka from Dar es Salaam airport, it was enough time.
Hi Nina,
I am so glad I came across your blog! Really appreciate you responding to every question posted here. I have a question too- I am traveling to Dar from Accra (Ghana) on Ethiopian Airlines flight which lands at 1:45 AM in DAR. Being a single female traveler I am really concerned about safety at that hour. I have to stay in DAR for about a week but I am concerned about leaving the airport at 2:30 AM to check in to a hotel. Do you think it’s better to wait outside at the airport till say 5 AM and then take a taxi to the hotel? or take taxi to nearby airport motel for that night few hours; till I can check in to my actual hotel? Any suggestions from you would be of great help! I am traveling for work and there are limited options in my complicated itinerary. Thanks.
Hey, thanks for stopping by. In case like that, I did book a hotel in Dar es Salaam, but i requested hotel to send me their trusted driver, usually hotels have their trusted taxi drivers, better ones transfers on their own. If you choose to go to hotel, I think its better to ask for hotel transfer and even if it costs a little bit more, safety comes first always rather than regretting few bucks later… Usually night transfers both with hotels and taxis are slightly more expensive, you will get nightly rate.
Hi, is there a transit visa required if i am connecting in Dar from international (from Amsterdam) to international (to Nairobi)
Hyro, unfortunately I dont know answer to this question.
will Dar allow an international to international transit without yellow fever card?
Please check tanzaninan site, i found something here for you: http://www.opengov.go.tz/files/publications/attachments/c1ea28e62732fbd7342b94a4db1d4c46.pdf transit are mentioned in this paragraph, i am quoting the document: Entry screening will be conducted and travellers coming or transited for 12 hours or more in the countries listed above will be required to produce a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate at points of entry upon arrival.
I will be flying on Rwanda air from Kigali to Dar es salaam , arriving at DAR at 3:45 A.M. I plan to book a flight on Precision air but the earliest available flight is at 12:40 Noon time. After I pick up my luggage from my KGL to DAR flight, can I stay on the air side, wait for luggage and wait for flight on Precision air or do I need to go through custom, then from land side , check in for my precision flight? I will already have my TZ visa with me. This is for mid Februray travel.
TIA
Hi, We come with Turkish airlines at 3 in the morning to international airport, we have 4 hours for transfer to domestic – we connecten with Fůyghtlink to Serengeti . But: we need to buy visas and we’ll have a luggage problem – we need to have a big luggage at the airport because we can only have 20 kg of soft luggage in the serenge. Is there a luggage storage at home? and we’ll have enough time to handle the visa? Thanks
Hello Irena, according to my experience, you will buy visa on customs, with time gap you have I you will be all right. About the luggage I dont think there is place at the airport. Flight ink allows access luggage for 3 USD per additional kilo above 20 kilos allowed. They also allow carry on baggage uo to 5 kilos. (source: flightlink website)
Nina, It’s wonderful of you to provide so much information. Here is my question: we arrive at DAR on Emirates at 14:30. We will already have our visas, and we plan to have carry-on baggage only. There’s a Precision Air flight to JRO at 15:30 and another at 20:00. I’d love to make the earlier flight but was uneasy, so I bought tickets on the 20:00. Do you think that, if we arrive on time, we can stand by for the earlier flight? Or is it unreasonable to even dream of making that connection?
Hi Matt, i can only speak theoretically but one hour is not enough on any airport in the world:) I think you made a wise decision.
Hello,
Are there any facilities to store luggae at the airport? Also, is there an ATM? Thanks
Hi Amy, two ATMs are outside but none inside the airport. I never needed luggage storage but my guess is – no.
Hi,
As previous posters said, it’s awesome that you’re willing to answer all these questions! I have a flight with Emirates to Kilimanjaro from Dubai via Dar es salaam, and all of Emirates’ flight this route only has one hour layovers in Dar. Would I need to go through visa, picking up luggage etc. at Dar or would all of this just happen at Kilimanjaro Airport? Thanks!
Hi Amanda, according to your information i assume its a flight where you will pick up luggage at the end, in Kilimanjaro airport and also get visa there. I think you will only stop in Dar, probably wait on the plane (if you have amadeus printed ticket, you can see if its also aircraft change or not in Dar). However, when you make check in in Dubai, ask the check in staff to make sure.
Hi. How far is it from the airport to the port where there are beforward offices for the purposes of collecting a vehicle from Japan. Are there taxis that ply that route and how much do they charge? Thank you
I dont know where vehicles are collected, but port is quite far from the airport. If its the same thing, then taxis are around 45000 TSH to 50 000TSh, approximately. Please note that the road is often jammed with traffic and might take also two hours to get to the port if you are really unlucky with traffic timing.
Hi Nina
we are flying with Zanair to Dar es Salaam. Would arive at 1;40pm .Our next flight with Emirates is 4:45PM. Do you think it is enough time? take our bags and check in, security… It is in July ! Do you know if it is in same Terminal? Thank you !!!
Hi Lenka, Zan Air operates on domestic terminal which means you will have to go to international terminal which is not far but still requires driving like two minutes or so… According to my knowledge Zanair offers free complimentary service to ZanAir passengers, you can apply for free transfer voucher at their website with your flight number/booking reference and they will organise the ride free of charge. You find this form on their website under Services menu / terminal transfer Dar es Salaam.
Hi Nina,
I am flying from Zanzibar with Precision Air to DAR, landing at 21:40. My next flight is 03:25 to London with Turkish Airlines. Do you know if the airport shuttle van is running at that time or if should I book a taxi in advance being a young solo female traveler?
Hey Ava, i am 99 percent sure Precision flies from the big terminal so you will not change terminal. Check your ticket.
Hi Nina,
I am arriving in Dar es Salaam on Turkish Airlines at 2:30 AM on 25 June 2018. I will be a solo female traveler, going to a conference in Dar es Salaam. Do you have any advice on how to get a safe ride from the airport to the Holiday Inn downtown (which does not offer a shuttle service) in the middle of the night? Thank you!
Hi Paulina! I am surprised that brand like Holiday Inn doesn’t provide shuttle. If you choose to pick taxi from airport I am sure they will be there waiting despite the late hours. I flew Turkish many times and remember. So taxis will be, if i remember correctly, the last time i think i saw like a licensed taxis, am not 100 percent sure, but all the men offering taxis had kind of keychain around the neck with id. Try to look around if you decide to take taxi from Dar airport. Other trick to know that person is real taxi driver, if nothing changed in a year when i last been to Tanzania, its good to check car license plates that in mainland in Tanzania for taxis, rental cars and buses are white color, and yellow plates for private cars. Listen to your self and do what you think its best. Hope you have good time in Dar!
I am flying to Dar on Coastal Airways and Ned to transfer to Emirates flight to Dubai – I have 2 hours from landing to departure – is this long enough? I’m starting to get concerned this is not long enough…….. can I walk between terminals or is that not possible? If not what is the best method of transferring and how much will it cost me? Many many thanks.
Its best if you contact Coastal Aviation if they take care for transfer to international terminal, I know some other companies do.
Hi Nina.
Thank you so much for hosting on this blog.
My question is similar to Ava’s earkier this year.
Coming from Zanzibar in the afternoon on Precision to Dar and then out on the 0325 Turkish flight.
You thought there is no terminal change, which I believe is also true.
My question is, will we be allowed to transit through the airport and remain inside until our 0325 am flight. Or do we collect our luggage and get tossed outside – only being allowed to return 3 hours before the flight.
In one post you mention even 8 hours can be tricky to go into the port area with traffic and get back in time.
I would book a day room at a hotel until midnight if the family gets put out on the street. But if we can stay inside, I would pay for lounge access and avoid the traffic risk.
Your thoughts are always appreciated.
Hi Mike, thanks for stopping by. I dont know if Zanzi is part of your whole flight ticket or you bought ticket Znz – Dar separately. If you did, you will probably have to collect luggage and then you can hang out outside of the terminal. They have some metal benches, some fast food restaurant and some kiosks operating during the day. If nothing changed at this airport ( its quite small) they let inside only people who need to check in, for Turkish morning flight I think its around ten PM that they start letting passengers through first scanner and check in opens. Also inside there is no lounge, its kind of a waiting room before boarding, same metal chairs, nothing really exciting except for freezing air condition.
Hi Nina
Excellent website and support.
We are flying down Seronera arriving around 3pm – and then depart as a lot of people do, on the Turkish flight at 3.25am. It looks like we have time to get into Dar and have a walk round and have something to eat. But do you know if there is anywhere to securely leave luggage at the airport – or the best bet is to book a room at the Transit Motel and dump bags there for a few hours? Then we can get changed, have a shower and jump on the flight refreshed in the early hours?
Thanks
Hi Mark, Thanks for reading my blog. I dont think there are luggage storages, because i would use them too if there were:) Transit motel is good solution. Just make sure you really book early for Transit motel, its really full all the time. Check in starts around 10, 11 pm for Turkish, so this would be the time frame to get back to DAR airport.
I will be flying to Dar Es Salaam on Coastal Aviation arriving around 2PM. My flight to Boston on KLM leaves at 11:20 PM. I will have my luggage. Will I have to sit outside for 6 hours until I can get into the airport?
Unfortunately yes 🙁
Hi, We come with Turkish airlines at 3 in the morning to international airport, we have 4 hours for transfer to domestic – we connect with Fůyghtlink to Serengeti . But: we need to buy visas and we’ll have a luggage problem – we need to have a big luggage at the airport because we can only have 20 kg of soft luggage in the syringe. Is there a luggage storage at home? and we’ll have enough time to handle the visa? Thanks
I think you will, but i dont see in the future:) With same time frame I managed to fly onward to international flight to Zambia. Good luck and have a great trip!
Hello Nina,
Which terminal (Terminal 2 or Terminal 1) served by Air Tanzania? Thank you.
Sorry i have no idea for air Tanzania,never used them… i am guessing the international, big terminal.
We arrive to DAR from Zanzibar, then we have a 12 hour wait until our flight to Istanbul. They are on different tickets. Based on the comments here I expect we will collect our luggage and switch terminals. Is it true we can only get into the International terminal 2-3 hours before our flight? Are there any exceptions for business class passengers?
Once we get into the International terminal is there a business class lounge?
Thanks for all the great info!
Hi Mark, thanks for visiting and reading this blog. My experience was exactly like that. Dar es Salaam airport is small and airport crew starts letting passengers into the airport for check in about 4 hours before departure. Even if you want to sneak along with other passengers for earlier flights, they check the ticket and will ask you to come back later. There is no business class, not that I know of. Waiting area upstairs for boarding is very dull, uncomfortable seats and freezing air condition.
Hi, I am arriving at Dar e salaam at 3:30 in the afternoon and at 5:35pm I have a flight to Mwanza. I am planning to get visa on arrival. so is the time enough to get the visa and catch the next flight.
Hi, do you have contact details of a taxi driver in Dar? We want to go from the ferry to the airport.
Thank you by the way for the recommended taxi driver in Zanzibar, Assead!
Best Regards,
Hi Nina,
Thank you for all valuable info! We will arrive in Dar and get a Visa, however we will go to Mauritious after 10 days and get back to Dar airport after 6 days as transit to go back to europe. Do we need a Visa again to re-enter in Dar ?
Hi Antony, thanks for visiting my website. You will have to buy new visa once you get back to Tanzania. I think you may qualify for transit visa that is valid for 14 days if you plan to travel onward to Mauritius. Ask on the airport, its a bit cheaper as I remember.
Hi, was hoping you could help me with my question…
We’re flying out of Zanzibar and connecting thru DAR en-route to Zurich on SWISS. We need to book a Precision Air flight from ZNZ to DAR. My SWISS flight departs at 10:20pm from DAR, and there is one flight that arrives at DAR at 9pm or one that arrives at 7:10pm.
Is the 9pm arrival into DAR cutting it too tight for our 10:20 connection? Do we have to change terminals, or go through security again etc? We are flying business class on SWISS, so I’m assuming that we will have a separate check-in area to expedite, but please let me know if the 9pm is too close for comfort.
Thx
Hi
We arrive at 9.05 pm in Dar with Swiss. The next day we have a flight at 6.00 am from dar to kilimandjaro with air tanzania. Now my question, would you recommend to book a hotel/motel close to the airport or is it better to spend the time at the airport. I heard from the airport lounge as well, but not sure if its worth it?
Thanks for your answer 🙂
I had similar situation, i slept in Transit Motel, its very close. Spending night at the airport will very tiring and uncomfortable.
Hello – your website provides such useful information!
I’m looking at a flight from Cairo to Nairobi, via EgyptAir, that allows just 59 minutes for a layover in Dar airport. How risky is this?
Thanks! -Carrie
I never heard about this flight, Egyptair has direct flights between Nairobi and Cairo. If its one hour stop its probably tehnical stop and you will have to remain on the plane.