Transport in Tanzania

On arrival in Tanzania there are various ways to get around.  This can either be by bus, train, taxi, ferry or by one of the many domestic airlines.  

When arriving by air, either into Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar, the best way to get into town is by taxi.  Most tourists arriving in Tanzania have usually booked their safaris in advance, which includes airport transfers, so taxis will not be required. 

The most practical ways to travel between the cities on mainland Tanzania, is either by bus or airplane, which leave on a daily basis from all main towns/cities.  

There is a train that travels between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma (via Dodoma) in the west and between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi (via Tunduma border) in Zambia.  

When travelling to Zanzibar from Tanzania mainland one can either fly, or the more adventurous, travel by ferry.   From Zanzibar there is also the option of a ferry to Pemba Island.   To travel cross Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria there are a few boats offering ferry services. 

We would love to boast that all of Tanzania's transport is reliable and efficient but unfortunately that is not always true!  No matter how prepared you are please keep in mind that there are invariably delays or cancellations, so take a good book, plenty of water (or a few cold beers) and snacks in case you have to wait it out.   

AIRLINES

There are daily flights between Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Mwanza, Mbeya and the more popular national parks.  For smaller towns and the islands, the flights are not always on a daily basis, and schedules will also change during the low and peak tourism months.  April and May are the long rains in Tanzania so most national parks are normally inaccessible by then.  Travel into or between the national parks is usually by Cessna Caravans due to their mobility of landing on dirt airstrips.  

Please note that if one is travelling on a budget that flights are not cheap and you will have to shop around.  The newest airline in Tanzania, Fastjet, a no frills airline, offers cheaper fares than most.

A good tip is to check with the airline at least a day in advance that the flight times are still confirmed.  Some airlines will change their flight schedules without advising the passengers in advance.  

BOATS & FERRIES

These are usually for travelling between mainland Tanzania and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, although on the lakes you will also find a couple of boats offering ferry services.  

There are a few types of boats used for ferries, for the more adventurous there are the Arab dhows, but the most common are the more modern ferries; some just for small cargo and passengers (the fast ferry) and others for big cargo and passengers (the slow ferry).  There are a few ferry companies operating these routes but not all of the boats are efficient or the safest.  

The fast ferry, between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, departs daily every couple of hours and offers different types of classes - VIP, First Class & Economy Class.   The journey is approximately 90 minutes long. 

Tickets can be bought at the ferry offices, by the latest one hour before departure. For those wanting first class seats these sometimes have to be bought well in advance, especially for Sundays and public holidays.  Depending on what class ticket you buy the prices vary, between US$20 to US$40 for foreigners and Tsh23,000 to Tsh35,000 for residents. The ferry offices are situated at the marine harbours; opposite the St Joseph's Cathedral in Dar es Salaam and next to Mercury's Restaurant in Zanzibar.  For comfort while waiting to depart we recommend that you catch the Azam Marine ferries as they offer comfortable and spacious waiting lounges that are either under a shady roof or in air-conditioned VIP areas.

On Lake Tanganyika one can travel by MV Liemba, though no one really knows the schedule of the boat except the captain.   

BUSES

Tanzania's bus (coach) services are usually unreliable and uncomfortable, which makes for an extremely cheap mode of transport.  Though travelling this way can also be dangerous as most bus drivers do not stick to the speed limit. 

On mainland Tanzania the most comfortable (and reliable) buses are run by Scandinavia and Dar Express bus companies. These companies also have a fairly good record for safety, usually leave on time and make fewer stops.  Some of the buses even have toilets and air-conditioning.  For the most cheapest buses one can travel by the ordinary bus, which only departs once they are full and have numerous stops along the way.  Please remember to bear in mind that you pay for what you get. 

A good tip is to enquire with other passengers the price of a ticket, as Tanzanian bus conductors are known to be quite unscrupulous, and will not always quote the correct fare.  

When travelling between neighbouring towns there are also the local minibuses (dalla dallas).  These pass by on a regular basis but can be a very tight squeeze as they are usually overloaded.  If you are not comfortable with this take a pass and wait for the next one to come along. 

TAXIS

At most Tanzanian airports and within the city/town centres taxi services are readily available and almost all of them have air-conditioning.  Try to avoid unmarked vehicles and always negotiate the fare before you climb into the taxi.  At Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports there are sign boards located outside the arrival doors advertising the taxi fares.  These are also negotiable.

In Dar es Salaam there is also the option of the three wheeler taxis (tuk tuk) for transport.  These can be found all over the city and are far cheaper than the normal taxis, though they can be very hot and dusty.   

Another mode of transport is by motor cycle (piki piki), which we strongly recommend are not to be used.  They are a quick way of negotiating Tanzania traffic but are the most dangerous.

When travelling between neighbouring towns there are also the local minibuses (dalla dallas).  These pass by on a regular basis but can be a very tight squeeze as they are usually overloaded.  If you are not comfortable with this take a pass and wait for the next one to come along. 

TRAINS

The only rail that crosses the border is the Tazara Railway, running between Tanzania and Zambia. The railway runs a scheduled twice weekly train from/to Kapiri Mposhi/Dar es Salaam. The central line in Tanzania runs 1254kms between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika with branches to Mwanza, Singida and Mpanda. There is talk in the future of a railway between Tanzania and Kenya.  

The Tazara has two types of trains - the express train and the ordinary train usually departing on a Tuesday and Friday with several classes to choose from.  On offer are 1st, 2nd and 3rd class tickets.  1st class tickets are for a berth that sleeps up to four people, 2nd class sleeps up to six people and 3rd class is a seated carriage.  Single travellers will be placed in a berth with other women or men depending on their gender.  If you are travelling as a family book the whole berth so that you don't have to share with strangers.

The Dar es Salaam to Kigoma train takes two days, and passes through Dodoma and Tabora. The schedule varies but is normally twice a week, arriving and departing from Kigoma every Thursday and Sunday. Only third class is available. 

Travellers are vulnerable to thieves so it is most advisable to never leave baggage unattended and to keep the window closed when sleeping. 

When booking please bear in mind that time should be taken into consideration for unscheduled stops and breakdowns.   The trains are rickety and a two day journey can easily turn into a three or four day trip.  The toilets and showers are also very basic and can sometimes run out of water before the final destination.   Food and drinks can be bought on the train in the dining car.  The breakfast is a basic meal of eggs and bread and the other meals consists of beef, chicken or goat served with rice.  The drinks on offer are water, sodas and beers and will most likely be served warm.  With all the numerous stops along the way there is ample opportunity to stock up with drinks, fruits, sweets and biscuits being sold by rail-side vendors. 

This mode of transport is definitely not the most efficient way to travel but it offers views of the most stunning and untouched Tanzanian landscapes.