Tanzania has two main gateways that are hundreds of kilometers apart, so choosing the right airport is the first big decision. Here is how to plan.
Tanzania at a glance
- Main international gateways: Julius Nyerere International (DAR), Dar es Salaam; Kilimanjaro International (JRO), near Arusha and Moshi; Zanzibar (ZNZ).
- Busiest fare periods: June to October, and December to January.
- Often better-value period: March to May, the long rains.
- Student peaks: Tanzanian students in the US often fly home in late May and December.
When to fly
The dry season from June to October is the high season for tourism and the busiest time for fares, and December and January are also busy. The long rains, from March to May, usually bring lower fares and hotel rates, but rural access can be limited.
Students heading home commonly travel in late May and December, so those are the dates to book early. Mission teams doing rural work may prefer the dry months despite higher fares.
Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro?
Fly into Kilimanjaro (JRO) if you are going to Arusha, Moshi or northern projects, and airlines including KLM, Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways have served it. Choose Dar es Salaam (DAR) for the coast, southern regions, and ferry access to Zanzibar.
Tanzania restricts plastic carrier bags, and travelers are expected to remove them from luggage before arrival. Check the current rules, including what is allowed for toiletries.
Domestic flights and getting around
Air Tanzania and Precision Air link Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro to regional airports. Domestic flights often use smaller aircraft with tighter baggage limits, commonly around 15 to 20 kg per person, so budget for excess fees. For group travel on the ground, arrange a private coaster or 4×4 through your host or a recognized operator.
How to pay less on flights to Tanzania
- Consider the long rains. The dry season from June to October is the busiest and most expensive, and December and January are also busy. March to May usually brings lower fares and hotel rates, but rural access can be limited.
- Choose the right airport first. Kilimanjaro suits Arusha, Moshi and the north, and Dar es Salaam suits the coast, the south and Zanzibar ferries. A cheaper fare to the wrong airport can cost a long domestic flight or drive.
- Book student dates early. Tanzanian students in the US often fly home in late May and December, so those are the dates to secure first.
- Budget for domestic baggage. Domestic flights often use smaller aircraft with tighter limits, commonly around 15 to 20 kg per person, so a low international fare can be offset by excess fees.
For the general method, see how we find cheap flights. Send us your dates and a specialist compares the options for this route.
Before you go
Check passport validity and Tanzania’s current visa process through the official government portal for every traveler, and apply before you fly. We do not quote fees here.
Yellow fever: Tanzania asks for a certificate if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk, and the CDC recommends the vaccine for some travelers. Check the rule against your exact routing, especially if you connect through other African hubs.
Malaria: the CDC lists malaria risk throughout Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam and the safari areas, with lower risk on Zanzibar’s tourist routes than the mainland. Ask your clinic about prevention tablets.
Other advice: hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are commonly recommended. At the time of writing the CDC carried a polio-related notice for Tanzania, so check that routine polio vaccination is up to date. See the CDC page for Tanzania for current notices. Book a travel clinic visit four to six weeks before departure, because some vaccine courses take time.
Health notes below reflect the CDC’s Travelers’ Health pages as we last checked them (October 2026). Notices and outbreak levels change quickly, so read the current page before you book vaccines.
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Airline routes, schedules, baggage rules and entry requirements change, so your specialist confirms the current options when they quote your trip.
Planning a trip? See our Tanzania flights page, our mission travel and student travel page, or send us your dates for a quote.
Questions, answered.
Should I fly into Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro?
Fly into Kilimanjaro (JRO) for Arusha, Moshi and northern Tanzania. Choose Dar es Salaam (DAR) for the coast, the south and ferries to Zanzibar.
When are the cheapest months for Tanzania?
The long rains, March to May, usually bring lower fares and room rates, though access to rural areas can be limited. June to October and December to January are the busiest.
Can I bring plastic bags into Tanzania?
Tanzania restricts plastic carrier bags. Remove them from your luggage before you travel, and check current rules, including what is allowed for toiletries.
