Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Overview
Julius Nyerere International Airport is Tanzania's busiest, serving as the primary gateway for Serengeti and Kilimanjaro-bound safari travellers. A functional airport handling 5+ million passengers, with a modernized Terminal 3 opening having significantly improved facilities. Zanzibar is a 2-hour fast ferry from the city — most visitors connect through here.
Terminals
Terminal 1 (domestic), Terminal 2 (aging international), Terminal 3 (new international, most flights). The new T3 is a major improvement — bright, spacious, with good food options.
Transport to city center
Bolt app (essential — far cheaper and safer than street taxis): TZS 30,000–50,000, 30–60 min. Official taxis: TZS 50,000–80,000. No rail or bus service of note. Dar es Salaam traffic can be severe — allow 90 minutes during rush hours.
Lounges
Air Tanzania Business Lounge, Tanzanite Lounge (Priority Pass), KLM/Kenya Airways lounges. Facilities are improving with the new terminal.
Travel tips
Set up a Tanzanian SIM (Vodacom or Airtel) at the airport for Bolt access and M-Pesa payments. Most visitors use Dar es Salaam only to connect to Zanzibar (fast ferry, 2 hours) or to domestic flights to Serengeti/Kilimanjaro. The fast ferry terminal is 30 minutes from the airport by Bolt.