Julius Nyerere International Airport serves Dar es Salaam, the main city and port of Tanzania, approximately 12 km from the center.
Gateway to the country's most populous city, as well as a transit hub for Zanzibar and the southern national parks.
How to get to Julius Nyerere International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to DAR
Parking near Julius Nyerere International Airport
The multi-level parking garage sits directly next to the terminal.
Rates are consistent with standards for a major East African hub.
How to get to Dar es Salaam from DAR
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Julius Nyerere International Airport
Car rental desks are found in the arrivals area.
Prepare your driver's license, passport, and credit card: an IDP is generally necessary for car rental.
Hotels near Julius Nyerere International Airport
Airport area, Kipawa and Kiwalani
Both hotels are about 2 km from the terminal, 5-10 minutes by car, and offer a free shuttle on request running around the clock.
Best for: Short layovers, night arrivals and dawn departures, when it pays to stay a few minutes from the terminal rather than risk the traffic into town.
- A free shuttle available at any hour, useful for the overnight flights many airlines run toward the Gulf
- No dependence on city traffic, often unpredictable along Nyerere Road
- An industrial and residential area with no evening life: dinner is at the hotel
- The seafront and historic centre remain 25-40 minutes away, worth considering only for a daytime visit
Recommended hotels
- Airport Transit Lodges About 2 km from the terminal in the Kipawa district, with a free round-the-clock shuttle and buffet breakfast included; designed for those who just need to sleep between one flight and the next. View availability
- Triniti Airport Hotel In the same airport area, with a transfer service flagged by reviews as the property's strong point; spacious rooms, though some guests find it pricey for the category. View availability
Kivukoni and the historic centre
About 11-12 km from the airport; 20-40 minutes by taxi outside rush hour, over an hour with the heavy Nyerere Road traffic during the morning and evening bands.
Best for: Those who work in the city or want the seafront, the Askari Monument and the National Museum within walking distance, accepting unpredictable city traffic toward the airport.
- Kivukoni Road seafront, ferries to Zanzibar and the Askari Monument within walking distance
- Greater choice of restaurants and offices, handy for those in town for work
- Unpredictable traffic toward the airport at rush hour: better to leave with a wide margin
- A crowded area by day, with little evening life outside the hotels
Recommended hotels
- Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro On Kivukoni Road, overlooking the harbour and the Indian Ocean, 10 minutes on foot from the Askari Monument and the National Museum; it takes its name from Kilimanjaro, in honour of Africa's highest mountain. View availability
- Four Points by Sheraton Dar Es Salaam New Africa On Sokoine Drive, near the ferry terminal for Zanzibar; the building began in 1896 as a residence for Kaiser Wilhelm II, then a hospital in the First World War and finally the historic New Africa hotel, taken over by Marriott and renovated in 2019. View availability
Oyster Bay and Masaki
About 15-18 km from the airport, usually under an hour by car outside rush hour; no direct link, only taxi or a private car.
Best for: Those who want restaurants, bars and cleaner sea on the residential peninsula north of the bay, with embassies and international offices nearby.
- The Slipway and the beaches of Coco Beach and Oyster Bay within walking distance or a few minutes by car
- A district with more restaurants, bars and international shops than the historic centre
- Further from the airport than the historic centre, worth considering for morning flights
- An expensive residential area, with hotel rates higher than the city average
Recommended hotels
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay On the corner of Haile Selassie Road and Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, linked to a shopping centre; a convenient location for both Masaki and downtown. View availability
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Dar es Salaam On Slipway Road, on the Masaki peninsula: bungalows over the water with wooden walkways, a few minutes from diving and snorkelling toward Bongoyo Island. View availability
- Element by Marriott Dar es Salaam On Yacht Club Road, 4 minutes on foot from The Slipway shopping centre and near the Sea Cliff Casino; a brand built for long stays, with kitchens in the rooms. View availability
Kunduchi, the northern beaches
About 28 km from the airport, 45-60 minutes by car depending on traffic; no direct bus, only taxi or a private transfer.
Best for: Those with a free day who want just sea and pool, with no plans in the city, on a beach quieter than those near downtown.
- Jangwani beach with direct access from the resort, less crowded than the central areas
- Pools and play areas designed for families, rare among the hotels closer to downtown
- Nearly an hour from the airport and downtown: to be ruled out for short layovers
- An isolated area, with little beyond the coastal resorts
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, the country's main hub, handles connections to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
A 3-hour advance is recommended for international flights.
Map of Julius Nyerere International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it better to use Uber or a traditional taxi in Dar es Salaam?
Uber and Bolt are generally cheaper (25,000-50,000 TZS) and more reliable than negotiated traditional taxis (40,000-70,000 TZS).
Q. What is tanzanite?
A rare gemstone, mined almost exclusively in Tanzania, available in the airport's duty-free area.
Q. Is Dar es Salaam a good stopover for Zanzibar?
Yes, many visitors transit through here on their way to the island of Zanzibar or the national parks in the south of the country.
Q. Do taxis have meters?
No, always firmly agree on the fare before getting in.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
