Harare International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (HRE)

Harare International Airport is located approximately 15 km south-east of Zimbabwe's capital city centre.

It is the country's primary gateway and departure point for safaris in Hwange National Park and for the stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the ancient medieval capital and UNESCO World Heritage site that gave the nation its name.

Content verified on 06/09/2026

Official source: www.caaz.co.zw

How to get to Harare International Airport

Harare's downtown is about 15 km from the airport, with a journey of 20-40 minutes depending on traffic.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach downtown Harare in 20-40 minutes.

By Train

There is no way to reach the airport by train.

By Bus

There is no dedicated public bus service for passengers; transfers occur mainly via taxi.

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Tips Taxis have no meter: always agree on the fare before departing, or better yet book a transfer through your hotel for a guaranteed fixed price.

Average travel time to HRE

TrainNot available

Shuttle busNot available

Taxi / Private hire20-40 minutes (25-35 USD)

Parking near Harare International Airport

Parking is available adjacent to the terminal.

How to get to Harare from HRE

By Train

There is no railway connection to this airport.

By Bus

There is no public bus service for passengers; transfers are mostly by taxi.

By Taxi

A taxi to Harare's city center costs around 25-35 USD (up to 50 USD according to some sources) for a 20-40 minute journey; the fare should always be agreed in advance.

Need an airport transfer?

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Car rental at Harare International Airport

Leading car rental brands have desks in the arrivals area.

Bring your license, passport, and US dollars in cash; ATM withdrawals with international cards are not always reliable in the country.

Hotels near Harare International Airport

The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is about 15 km south of the centre of Harare, with no train or dedicated bus: an official taxi takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic and is paid only in US dollars cash, since Zimbabwean dollars are not accepted by the airport's taxi drivers. The real choice for those sleeping near the airport comes down to a single residential area south of the city, Arlington, a few minutes from the terminal; for everything else, from the business district to evening restaurants, you still have to get into the centre, where the only international chain featured in this guide is on the very central Samora Machel Avenue.

Airport area

Arlington, near the airport

About 6 km and 5 minutes by car from the airport, along Airport Road; the centre of Harare is then another 15-20 minutes away.

Best for: Short layovers and morning departures, with a stay in a private villa inside a guarded residential area a few minutes from the terminal.

Pros

A few minutes from check-in, useful for those who don't want to risk the city's traffic at dawn
A gated residential neighbourhood with round-the-clock security, its own generator and borehole water: useful given the unreliability of the local power grid

Cons

An exclusively residential area: no restaurant or shop within walking distance
For the centre of Harare or evening life you still need a car or a taxi

Recommended hotels

Arlington Estate - Modern Luxury Villa with Gym, Bar & Lounge, in a Secure Gated Estate Next to the Airport Three-bedroom villa inside a gated community about 6 km from the terminal, with round-the-clock security, a generator and borehole water; designed for those with an early flight who want to stay close without giving up the space of a house. View availability

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Centre of Harare

About 15 km from the airport, 25-45 minutes by taxi depending on traffic; cash only in US dollars, the airport taxis do not accept Zimbabwean dollars.

Best for: Those who want the business district, restaurants and shops of the centre within walking distance, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.

Pros

Samora Machel Avenue, the Fife Avenue Shopping Centre and Harare Gardens within walking distance
A district with more restaurants and evening life than the airport area alone

Cons

A longer transfer from the airport, subject to city traffic
Recent reviews report rooms and bathrooms needing renovation in some central hotels

Recommended hotels

Holiday Inn - Harare by IHG On Samora Machel Avenue, a 15-minute walk from the Fife Avenue Shopping Centre and Harare Gardens; outdoor pool and an in-house restaurant in the heart of the city centre. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

Zimbabwe's leading airport, with connections to southern and eastern Africa and select intercontinental destinations.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers local handicrafts, tobacco, and typical Zimbabwean products.

Lounges & relaxation

The airport offers a limited number of lounges for business passengers.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Travelers in the terminal's public areas can access Wi-Fi.

Families & Children

The airport offers basic services for travelers with children, focused in waiting areas.

Terminal guide

The terminal handles Zimbabwe's domestic and international connections to southern and eastern Africa and some intercontinental destinations.

To be safe, arrive 3 hours ahead for international flights.

Map of Harare International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Are power outages common in Harare?

Yes, Zimbabwe suffers from fairly frequent scheduled power cuts (load-shedding): most hotels and tourist facilities in Harare have backup generators, but it's useful to know in advance, especially for charging electronic devices.

Q. Do you need a visa to enter Zimbabwe via Harare?

Yes, most nationalities need an e-Visa or a visa on arrival (roughly 30-55 USD depending on type); those also visiting Zambia might consider the KAZA UniVisa, which is more economical.

Q. Is it worth bringing US dollars to Zimbabwe?

Yes, the US dollar remains the most reliable currency for tourism, while ATM withdrawals with international cards aren't always guaranteed: bring cash in small denominations.

Q. Is there a malaria risk in Harare?

The risk is low or absent in the capital; it's instead high in the Zambezi Valley and the Victoria Falls area from November to June, where specific prophylaxis is advisable.