🇹🇿 Flights to Dar es Salaam
Cheap Flights to Dar es Salaam from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). Dream Fare specialises in Tanzania routes with the best prices for Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s vibrant commercial capital and gateway to Zanzibar, the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Airlines to Dar es Salaam
All Airlines Flying London to Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is served via connections through major hubs. We compare every routing to find your best price for Tanzania.
Baggage Allowances — London to Dar es Salaam
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Excellent for families with extra luggage |
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Best two-piece allowance on the route |
| Kenya Airways | 1 bag up to 12kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Dar es Salaam & Tanzania
Dar es Salaam has a tropical coastal climate, warm and humid year-round. Tanzania’s safari and beach seasons follow different patterns across the country. Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
Dry Season
June — October
The best time for Tanzania overall. Warm and dry in Dar es Salaam (24°C to 30°C). Excellent for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the famous wildebeest migration. Ideal beach conditions in Zanzibar.
Short Dry Season
Dec — February
Hot and mostly dry (26°C to 32°C). Good for safaris in the southern Serengeti where the migration calves, and excellent beach weather in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Popular with UK visitors escaping winter.
Long Rains
March — May
The heaviest rainy season brings frequent downpours (24°C to 30°C). Some safari camps close. Lowest fares of the year. The landscape is lush and green. Less ideal for first-time safari or beach visitors.
Short Rains
November
Brief afternoon showers (24°C to 31°C) that quickly clear. A good value shoulder season for both Dar es Salaam city visits and combining with safari or Zanzibar beach time before the busy December peak.
About Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam — Haven of Peace
Dar es Salaam — meaning Haven of Peace in Arabic — is Tanzania’s largest city and commercial capital, a vibrant coastal metropolis blending Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences along the Indian Ocean. While Dodoma is the official capital, Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania’s economic and cultural heart, and the natural gateway to Zanzibar, the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro.
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Gateway to Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam is the primary departure point for Zanzibar, with frequent fast ferries (approximately 2 hours) and short flights (20 minutes) to Stone Town. The UNESCO World Heritage spice island, with its pristine beaches, historic architecture and rich Swahili culture, is easily combined with a Dar es Salaam stay.
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National Museum & House of Culture
Dar es Salaam’s National Museum houses important paleontological discoveries from the Olduvai Gorge, alongside Tanzania’s colonial history and the legacy of independence leader Julius Nyerere, after whom the international airport is named. The adjacent Village Museum showcases traditional architecture and crafts from Tanzania’s many ethnic groups.
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Coastal Beaches
Dar es Salaam’s northern beaches — particularly Coco Beach and the resort areas of Kunduchi and Bagamoyo — offer excellent Indian Ocean swimming and watersports without needing to travel to Zanzibar. The historic town of Bagamoyo, a former slave trade port and a UNESCO tentative site, is a worthwhile day trip combining beach time with significant history.
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Gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit
Dar es Salaam connects via domestic flight to Tanzania’s legendary northern safari circuit — the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park — home to the Great Migration and exceptional Big Five game viewing. The city is also the gateway for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.
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Swahili Coast Cuisine
Dar es Salaam’s cuisine reflects centuries of Swahili coast trade — Pilau (spiced rice with meat), Mishkaki (grilled meat skewers), fresh seafood including octopus and prawns in coconut curry, Chapati, Samosas and Zanzibar mix (a popular street food snack) are all essential food experiences, with strong Arab, Indian and Persian influences evident throughout.
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Vibrant City Markets
Kariakoo Market is one of East Africa’s largest and most vibrant markets, offering fresh produce, textiles, spices and an immersive glimpse into everyday Tanzanian life. The Slipway and Msasani Peninsula offer a more relaxed shopping and dining experience overlooking the Indian Ocean, popular with both locals and visitors.
Top Places to Visit Around Dar es Salaam
Zanzibar Stone Town (UNESCO)
2 hours by ferry or 20 minutes by flight from Dar es Salaam — Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its labyrinth of narrow alleys, ornately carved wooden doors and centuries of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European trading history. Combine with Zanzibar’s pristine northern and eastern beaches for the perfect Tanzania extension.
Serengeti National Park
A domestic flight from Dar es Salaam — the Serengeti is one of the world’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, home to the Great Migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra. Combined with exceptional resident populations of lion, leopard, cheetah and elephant, the Serengeti offers world-class game viewing year-round.
Ngorongoro Crater
A domestic flight followed by a short drive from Dar es Salaam — the Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, containing one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa, including a healthy population of black rhino, within its dramatic 600-metre walls.
Mount Kilimanjaro
A domestic flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dar es Salaam — Africa’s highest peak (5,895m) and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain is climbable by several routes without technical mountaineering experience, making it one of the most accessible major summits on earth. A bucket-list trek for adventurous travellers.
Bagamoyo Historic Town
A scenic 1.5 hour drive north of Dar es Salaam — Bagamoyo was once a major Swahili coast trading port and a tragic centre of the East African slave trade, now a UNESCO tentative site. The old German colonial buildings, Kaole ruins and Bagamoyo beach combine significant history with relaxed coastal scenery.
Mafia Island Marine Park
A short flight from Dar es Salaam — Mafia Island offers exceptional, uncrowded diving and snorkelling, including seasonal whale shark encounters (October to March), pristine coral reefs and a relaxed, far less developed alternative to Zanzibar for travellers seeking genuine Indian Ocean tranquility.
Travel Tips
Dar es Salaam Travel Guide
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Visa for Tanzania
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. A single-entry tourist visa costs approximately $50 USD. Alternatively, apply online at visas.immigration.go.tz before travel to save time at the airport. Dream Fare will advise on current entry requirements.
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Currency & Money
Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). USD is widely accepted for safari payments, park fees and at hotels (post-2008 notes only, no marks or tears). Cards are accepted at major Dar es Salaam hotels. ATMs are available throughout the city. Bring sufficient USD cash for safari extensions and remote areas.
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Onward Connections
Dar es Salaam offers excellent domestic connections to Kilimanjaro International Airport (for safari and Kilimanjaro treks), Zanzibar (frequent flights and fast ferries) and Mafia Island. Precision Air and Air Tanzania operate the main domestic network, making Dar es Salaam an ideal hub for combining multiple Tanzania experiences.
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Getting Around Dar es Salaam
The Dar Rapid Transit (DART) bus system offers efficient city transport on dedicated lanes. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are widely available and recommended over unmetered taxis. Traffic can be heavy at peak times — allow generous time for airport transfers and city journeys.
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Weather in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam has a tropical coastal climate, warm and humid year-round (24°C to 32°C). June to October is the most comfortable dry season. March to May brings the heaviest rainfall. The Indian Ocean keeps temperatures relatively consistent throughout the year. Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
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Culture & Etiquette
Dar es Salaam has a significant Muslim population alongside Christian and other communities — modest dress is respectful, particularly away from beach resort areas. Swahili (Kiswahili) is the national language alongside English. Tanzanian hospitality is renowned, and greetings are an important part of social interaction — take time to exchange pleasantries before business.
Flights to Dar es Salaam FAQ
How do I fly from London to Dar es Salaam?
Qatar Airways via Doha is one of the most popular and reliable routings to Dar es Salaam. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, Kenya Airways via Nairobi, Emirates via Dubai and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul also serve Dar es Salaam well. Dream Fare will find the best routing for your travel dates and any combined safari or Zanzibar itinerary.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. A visa on arrival is available at Julius Nyerere International Airport for approximately $50 USD. Alternatively, apply online at visas.immigration.go.tz before travel to save time. Dream Fare will advise on current entry requirements.
Is Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar better as an arrival point?
Dar es Salaam offers more international flight options and is the better gateway for combining the northern safari circuit with a beach extension. Zanzibar has its own international airport with growing direct connections and is ideal if your trip focuses primarily on the spice island. Many visitors fly into Dar es Salaam and take a short flight or ferry onward to Zanzibar.
How do I get from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is easily reached from Dar es Salaam by fast ferry (approximately 2 hours, several daily departures) or a short domestic flight (approximately 20 minutes) with several airlines operating frequent services. Both options are affordable and well-established, making it simple to combine a Dar es Salaam stay with a Zanzibar beach extension.
Is Dar es Salaam a good base for a Tanzania safari?
Dar es Salaam is an excellent gateway, with convenient domestic flight connections to Kilimanjaro International Airport, the main hub for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro. Most visitors spend 1 to 2 nights in Dar es Salaam before flying onward to the northern safari circuit, then returning via Zanzibar for a beach extension.
How much do return flights from London to Dar es Salaam cost?
Return flights from London to Dar es Salaam start from approximately £499 with Dream Fare. Qatar Airways via Doha and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa are typically the most competitive options. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and complete Tanzania safari and beach travel advice.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.