Tanzania is East Africa's premier safari destination, home to the legendary Serengeti plains, Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro, and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Experience the Great Migration, explore ancient Stone Town, and discover incredible wildlife diversity.
- Public
- Dalla-dalla minibuses are cheap ($0.30-0.50) but crowded and confusing for tourists. DART BRT in Dar is better. No metro anywhere in Tanzania.
- Taxi
- Uber and Bolt operate in Dar, Arusha, and Zanzibar with transparent pricing. Essential for safe late-night travel.
- Rental
- Car hire good for exploring outside cities but 4WD essential for park and rural roads. Drive on the left.
- Walking
- Stone Town is very walkable. Dar city centre is manageable but sprawling. Safari park walking only with a licensed guide.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi: $25-35 (30-45 minutes)
- Shuttle
- Uber/Bolt: $15-25 (30-45 minutes)
- Bus
- Airport bus: $5 (1 hour)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Dar es salaam
- Dalla-dalla minibuses cost $0.30-0.50 per ride. Crowded but very cheap. DART BRT rapid bus system costs $0.40-0.60 with rechargeable cards.
- Arusha
- Dalla-dalla minibuses cost $0.25-0.40. Cover most areas but can be confusing for tourists.
- Stone town
- Walking is best for Stone Town. Local dala-dalas to other parts of island cost $0.50-1.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, tuk_tuk
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Standard
- Base fare $2-3, then $0.50-1 per km. Always negotiate price before departure. Airport taxis more expensive.
- Apps
- Uber and Bolt available in Dar es Salaam and major tourist areas. More reliable pricing than traditional taxis.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Routes: Dar-Arusha: $20-35 (8-10 hours), Dar-Moshi: $18-30 (9 hours), Arusha-Moshi: $5-8 (1.5 hours)
- Companies
- Kilimanjaro Express, Modern Coast, Dar Express, and Tahmeed are reliable companies. Semi-luxury coaches with A/C.
- Tips
- Book in advance. VIP/luxury buses worth extra cost. Overnight buses save time but less comfortable.
Flights
- Carriers
- Precision Air, FastJet, Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Regional Air offer domestic routes.
- Popular routes
- Dar-Zanzibar: $80-150 (30 min), Dar-Arusha: $100-180 (1.5 hrs), Arusha-Serengeti: $200-350 (1 hr)
- Tips
- Book flights early for better prices. Weight limits strict for small planes (15kg typical). Fly-in safaris expensive but save driving time.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Julius Nyerere International Airport
From centre: 13 km to Dar es Salaam city center
Options: Taxi: $25-35 (30-45 minutes); Uber/Bolt: $15-25 (30-45 minutes); Airport bus: $5 (1 hour); Hotel shuttle: $15-30 (pre-arranged)
Kilimanjaro International Airport
From centre: 46 km to Arusha, 42 km to Moshi
Options: Taxi to Arusha: $50-70 (1 hour); Shared shuttle: $25-35 per person; Hotel transfer: $40-60 (pre-arranged); Taxi to Moshi: $45-60 (45 minutes)
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
From centre: 5 km to Stone Town
Options: Taxi to Stone Town: $8-12 (15 minutes); Hotel transfer: $10-15 (pre-arranged); Taxi to Nungwi: $50-60 (1.5 hours); Shared minibus: $5-10 (destinations vary)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bolt
Best ride-hailing app in Tanzania with lower prices than Uber. Works in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar Stone Town.
Uber
Available in Dar es Salaam and useful for airport transfers. Slightly pricier than Bolt but reliable and widely used by expats.
Azam Marine App
Online booking for Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar fast ferry. Allows advance seat booking on popular morning departures.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Bolt and Uber before arriving - both operate in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar and are safer and cheaper than hailing street taxis.
Agree on taxi prices before getting in any vehicle that doesn't use an app meter. Airport taxis have fixed rates posted at the exit.
For long intercity journeys, book Kilimanjaro Express, Modern Coast, or Dar Express bus tickets the day before - these reliable companies run out of seats.
The Dar-Zanzibar fast ferry (Azam Marine) takes 2 hours and costs $35-40. Book at the ferry terminal on Kivukoni Front or online. Allow an extra hour for security checks.
Domestic flights between parks are expensive but save hours of driving. Precision Air and Coastal Aviation serve most park airstrips.
Dalla-dallas are the cheapest way to get around Zanzibar island ($1-3 to beaches) but routes are confusing without local help - ask your guesthouse.