A Complete Guide To Major Airports In Tanzania For Smooth Travel Experiences

An image of the Aeroplane standing on the runway at Airports in Tanzania

Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Tanzania is known for its sprawling beaches along the Indian Ocean, majestic wildlife and stunning landscapes. Explore Tanzania’s diverse culture and rich history, making it a must-visit African destination for travel enthusiasts. You can experience the best safari parks in the world, a variety of flora and fauna and pristine sandy beaches with blue waters. If Tanzania is on your bucket list of places to visit, you will look for more information about the airports in Tanzania.

Airports In Tanzania

Tanzania has three primary international airports and several domestic airports that serve the travellers visiting the country. These are well-connected to all major countries and cities on the global map through the operation of regular inward and outward flights.

1. Julius Nyerere International Airport

Entrance to the Julius Nyerere International Airports in Tanzania showing the roofs, airport name,

Photo: Roland / Wikimedia Commons

This is the biggest and busiest airport in Tanzania. It was built in 1954 and is most commonly used by travellers visiting Tanzania. It is around 12 km from the city centre. There are three terminals in this airport serving numerous airlines. This airport is the main hub for international flights that come into Zanzibar and coastal Tanzania. Airlines that serve JNIA include Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Swiss, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, and Air Tanzania. The facilities in this airport include ATMs, lounges, duty-free shops and restaurants.

Location: Julius K. Nyerere Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2. Kilimanjaro International Airport

Entrance to the Kilimanjaro International Airport showing a brown building, bushes, plants, tree and people

Photo: Alexander Johmann / Wikimedia Commons

One of the most famous airports in Tanzania, the Arusha airport is located around 50 km from Arusha and around 40 km from Moshi in north Tanzania. This airport is most preferred by tourists visiting the Northern tourist belt. Being in proximity to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, this airport is the main gateway for travellers visiting the safari loop, which includes Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Lake Manyara. Airlines that serve JRO include KLM, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, and Air Tanzania.

Location: Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania

3. Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

The approach to the Zanzibar International Airport showing the air strip, trees, grass and water body

Photo: Mangapwani / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

This airport is the primary airport of the Zanzibar Archipelago and is named after Abeid Amani Karume, the first president of the island. Situated around 8 km from the south of Stone Town, the Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume airport is the ideal choice for exploring Zanzibar Island and its beaches. This airport functions as the gateway to the beautiful Zanzibar Island off Tanzania’s east coast and is home to one of the finest beach resorts and the historic Stone Town. Airlines that serve ZNZ include Ethiopian Airlines, Air France, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, and Air Tanzania. The facilities in this airport include wheelchair accessibility, cafes, food courts, quiet work zones, and VIP lounges.

Location: Zanzibar, Tanzania

4. Arusha Airport

Arusha airport runway with a white, green, yellow colour flight and Mount Meru in background

Photo: Mchome / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

A relatively smaller airport in Tanzania, the Arusha Airport is mainly used by travellers for domestic travel. Situated just outside Arusha in North Tanzania, it is around 8 km drive from the town of Arusha. The Arusha airport is a key hub for travel between cities within Tanzania and domestic flights into the northern belt safari destinations. Airlines that serve ARK include Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, Regional Air, and Precision Air. The facilities in this airport include eateries, a few shops, waiting areas, and car rental services.

Location: Arusha, Tanzania

5. Iringa Airport

Inside of an airport showing a bistro, signboards, and people sitting and walking

Photo: ClickerHappy / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Located near Ruaha National Park in South Tanzania, the Iringa Airport serves as the primary hub for travellers to Iringa and its surrounding areas and adventure seekers heading to Mufindi Highlands and the Southern belt of Tanzania. It is about 13 km from the town of Iringa. Airlines that serve IRI include Euro Airlines, Auric Air, and other regional and charter airlines. Julius Nyerere International Airport has direct flights to Iringa Airport.

Location: Mapanda, Tanzania

6. Mbeya Airport

Songwe airport runway with a blue and white Air Tanzania plane surrounded by hills

Photo: Sam Pollitt / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Located in the southern highlands near Mbeya, the Mbeya or Songwe Airport is around 25 km from the town of Mbeya. This airport is a primary hub for domestic flights and for connecting passengers to their destinations in the Southern Highlands. Airlines that serve MBI include Hahn Air, Precision Air, and Air Tanzania, among other regional carriers. Julius Nyerere International Airport and Dodoma Airport have direct flights to Mbeya Airport. The facilities in this airport include VIP lounge services, car rental services, baggage services and a few shops.

Location: Mbeya Tanzania

7. Mwanza Airport

Precision Air aircraft parked on the runway of Mwanza airport with a maintenance staff walking by the side

Photo: Hansueli Krapf / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Mwanza Airport is a regional airport serving the city of Mwanza in north Tanzania. Situated close to the southern shores of Lake Victoria, Mwanza Airport is around 10 km from the city centre. This airport acts as the primary hub for Auric Air and a secondary hub for Precision Air. A passenger lounge that can hold around 1 million passengers is under construction at this airport. Airlines that serve MWZ include Hahn Air, Precision Air, Etihad Airways, and Air Tanzania.

Location: Mwanza, Tanzania

8. Dodoma Airport

A small plane is standing on the Dodoma airport Tarmac, and a man walks towards it with a trolley full of bags

Photo: Erasmus Kamugisha / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Dodoma Airport serves Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania. This airport is located around 1 mile from the city centre of the Dodoma region. Originally established and used by the army during World War 2, considerable renovations were done in 2016 to manage the increased traffic. This airport is a primary hub for domestic flights and for connecting passengers to Julius Nyerere International Airport. Airlines that serve this airport include Ethiopian Airways, Precision Air, Kenya Airways and Air Tanzania, among other regional carriers. The facilities in this airport include baggage services, waiting areas, duty-free shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Location: Dodoma, Tanzania

9. Tanga Airport

The front of the Tanga Airport building shows the sign, a flag and a man pulling a trolley

Photo: Jojona / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Tanga Airport is a small and singular domestic airport serving the region of Tanga in Tanzania. Tanga is a historic city and the capital of the Tanga Region. It is situated about 3 km from the west of the city and has scheduled flights to Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar islands. Airlines that serve this airport include Auric Air, Euroairlines, FlexFlight and Hahn Air. The facilities in this airport include wheelchair accessibility, lounges, snack bars, cafes and restaurants.

Location: Tanga, Tanzana

10. Tabora Airport

The front of the Tabora Airport building is green in colour with trees around and some people outside

Photo: Molly Keener / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Located in west-central Tanzania, the Tabora Airport is 8 km south of Tabora town and serves the area. The Tabora Command Military Base is adjacent to the airport. The original strip of Tabora airport was enhanced during World War 2 in 1942. The South African Air Force also built the control tower and the hangar. The existing runway is used as a taxiway as there is no separate taxiway in this airport. Air Tanzania Airlines serves this airport. The facilities in this airport include bookstores, lounges, duty-free shops, and restaurants.

Location: Tabora, Tanzania

Tanzania is an ideal vacation destination due to its vast wilderness, national parks, majestic mountains and tropical islands. Visit the land of natural beauty and explore the spectacular “big five” wildlife in their natural habitats. Airports in Tanzania provide effortless access to historic Tanzanian destinations such as Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro conservation area, and Zanzibar. Plan your dream safari holiday with TripXL and check off another amazing holiday on your bucket list.

Cover Photo: Anonymous / Pxhere / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you will need a tourist visa to visit Tanzania. You must apply for and obtain the visa from Tanzania’s e-visa portal.
The distance between Mount Kilimanjaro and Kilimanjaro Airport is 51 km, and the best way to travel is by taxi or rental car, which takes 45 minutes to one hour.
You can get around cities in Tanzania by riding the dalla dalla (shared minibus), taxis, cars, ferries and trains.
The Stone Town Market in Zanzibar is a shopping haven where you can get local handicrafts along with an array of other stuff.
The best months to visit Tanzania are between June and October. The weather remains dry during these months, and one can spot the most wildlife.

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