Transportation between Cities of Tanzania

The transportation infrastructure in Tanzania is not as good as compared to other developed Countries, but the goverment is improving everyday especially the major Cities of Tanzania. Every year the government is taking measures to improve it, but at the moment it is far from what one would expect in most developed countries.

By Plane:

The safest and most hassle-free way to travel both within the country and to other destinations is by plane. Tanzania has three main international airports: Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) serving Dar es Salaam, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) serving Zanzibar City, and Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is located halfway between Arusha and Moshi. In addition, there are several domestic airports connecting the major Tanzanian cities. Although domestic flights are quite frequent (if not always punctual), they are surprisingly expensive. Air Tanzania, ZanAir and Coastal Aviation are the three main domestic airlines.

By Train:

If flying is too expensive and you have a bit more time on your hands, you can take the train. Tanzania is served by two railway companies which operate different routes. The first company is Tanzania Railways Limited. It operates two east-west lines, the Central Line, which runs from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, and the Tanga Line, which runs from Tanga to Arusha, as well as a north-south line from Korogwe to Morogoro which connects the two. Unfortunately, the trains are quite old and unreliable and run rather infrequently. There is also a high risk of theft and pickpocketing on the trains.

TAZARA (The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority) has newer and nicer trains, but they are also not known for their punctuality. The company offers several express trains, such as the Kilimanjaro Express and the Mukuba Express. Especially during holidays, these trains can fill up quickly, so be sure to make your booking well in advance.

By Long-Distance Bus:

Taking a long-distance bus is also a way to travel around Tanzania. All these buses are operated by private companies, so do your research when choosing an operator, as some of the buses are old and in disrepair. Buses usually depart early in the morning, as they are not allowed to drive at night, but they will not leave until every seat is taken. As Tanzanian drivers tend to be a bit reckless – a popular saying goes, “Mungu akipenda, tutafika” (If God wills it, we shall arrive) – safety is also an issue to consider.