Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) is the largest and the busiest International Airport in Tanzania, located in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. Its international code (IATA code) is DAR. This is the one on your luggage labels when you take a flight to Tanzania. The airport is one of the 58 government owned airports and airstrips, operated, developed and managed by Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA). JNIA is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southwest of the city.
The airport was formally known as Dar es Salaam International Airport (DIA) before it was renamed in 2006 in honor of Julius Kambarage Nyerere (photo), the first President of the United Republic of Tanzania who died in 1999. The airport saves flights to and from different destinations including Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Currently there are two terminals, terminal 1 and terminal 2. The government is constructing terminal 3 which will be the largest terminal at JNIA with a capacity of handling up to 6,000,000 passengers annually.
Dar-es-Salaam is the commercial capital of Tanzania and is a bustling port city with a busy international airport servicing domestic, regional,private and international flights. International flights depart from the new Terminal 3, Regional and domestic flights depart from Terminal 2, while private chartered flights now depart from Terminal 1. Terminal 3 and terminal 2 are within walking distance of each other (5 mins walk). Terminal 1 is located 1km from the two other terminals and a taxi or transfer will be required to connect from one to the others. It is not recommended to
Julius Nyerere Dar-es-salaam International Airport
Julius Nyerere Ininternational Airport is located Southwest of the city on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. The roads to the airport can become very congested so it is advisable to arrange transfers and connections with this in mind.
Dar-es-Salaam Airport Guide
Facilities
- Wi-Fi – Available in restaurants for a fee (can be intermittent).
- ATM – Terminal 2 & 3.
- Forex – Terminal 2 & 3.
- Restaurants & Lounges –
Terminal 1: A seating area overlooking the airport with fans and a tv.
Terminal 2: Business and First class lounge available, a restaurant, duty-free and souvenir shops are all present in the departure lounge. - Terminal 3: Business and First class lounge available, a restaurant, duty paid & duty-free and souvenir shops are all present in the departure lounge.
- Toilets – The toilets are western-styled.
- Disabled Facilities – There are wheelchairs for the disabled (please contact the airport/airline in advance to arrange this)
Quick Facts
- GPS coordinates: Latitude: -6° 52′ 19.19″ S, Longitude: 39° 12′ 4.20″ E
- Time Zone: UTC +3, GMT +3
- Altitude- Elevation, 182 feet, 55 Meters above Sea Level, MASL.
- Operating Hours: The airport operates 24hrs a day, seven days a week.
Getting Here
- Taxi – There are taxis which will get you from the city centre to the airport 16 kilometers (10 minutes) away for Tzs 50,000- Tzs 100,000 (USD $25 – 50). Transfers from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 & 3 should cost around Tzs 10,000 ($5).
- Preferred Mode – Pre arranged transfer or Taxis are the preferred method especially if you have luggage with you.
- Shuttle Bus – The airport does not operate one.
- Alternatives – Hotel transfer service.
- Car Parking & Fees –There is an automated POS parking system at the airport and it is 1,000Tzs per hour. Long stays should be pre arranged by contacting the airport authority.
- Auxiliary Information
- Flight from Hub
Julius Nyerere International Airport is the main hub in Tanzania. With 3 certified airport terminals there are daily flights to and from all the major international airports and also domestics airports in Tanzania such as Arusha, Zanzibar, Dodoma, Tanga and Iringa as well as to the main game parks, the Serengeti, Selous and Ruaha.
UPDATE: Terminal 3 is the newest terminal that opened in August 2019 and has been operating since then. It is used for International flights,as such all international arrivals and departure now go through terminal 3. The terminal is expected to facilitate more than 6 million passengers per year which builds the airport capacity up to 8 million passengers annually.
UPDATE: With the opening of this new terminal 3, domestic and regional airlines are now operating from terminal 2. PLEASE NOTE that at the moment not all domestic airlines have started operating from terminal 2 (Check-in desks,and arrival/departures). Currently, As Salaam Air, Flightlink, Precision Air and Air Tanzania have moved their operations to terminal 2 at the Julius Nyerere International Airport.
For domestic departures, let your taxi driver know that you are going to either Terminal 1 or 2 (depending on the airline you are flying with) . Your taxi or transfer will drop you in the carpark directly in front of the terminal building where there are porters waiting to help with your bags. For clients arriving from the International airport (terminal 3), terminal 2 is 5 mins away on foot, and terminal 1 is 5 mins away with a taxi (walking to terminal 1 is not recommended)
Terminal 1– Before check in, there is small local restaurant serving cold drinks and local food. Once inside the terminal building, there is a small coffee shop selling snacks, cold and hot drinks as well as books and souvenirs. There is also a small shop where they sell soft drinks, snacks and vouchers for local cellphone providers.
Terminal 2 – There are two restaurants serving basic fast food, a mini grocery store and various souvenir shops located at the front of the Terminal building as well as an Information centre and smaller kiosks selling mobile phones and offices for various travel agencies and airlines.
Terminal 3 – There are banks, ATMS and Exchange rate bureaus at the airport. Food is available at the airport lounge. Shopping is made easier with both duty-paid and duty-free shops within the terminal as well as gifts shops and pharmacy. Lost and found desk is located at the arrivals lounge, with porters being available to assist you with luggage. There are also several Travel agents located at the terminal. There is a ready Airport Medical Unit located in the Passenger terminal, Cargo terminal and Immigration area that are ready to provide emergency medical assistance at any moment.
The major hotels in Dar es Salaam such as The Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel and The Kilimanjaro Hotel are situated in the city centre. On the Masaki Peninsula, there are hotels catering to business travelers such as Best Western Coral Beach and Seacliff Hotel both with stunning ocean views. There are also Beach Resorts to the North and South of the city. In the North you will find hotels such as Whitesands Beach Resort and Jangwani Seabreeze while to the South in Kigamboni you will find more budget friendly accommodation like Kipepeo Beach and Sunrise Beach Resort.
We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews, but general travellers do report feeling safe and that seating, though limited, is armrest-free. Have a backup plan if you’re planning to spend the night. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service for a fee.
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Tanzanite Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
- CIP Lounge – Location: Terminal 3, Airside. International and transit flights only. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass.
- Twiga Business Lounge – Location: Terminal 3, Airside. International and transit flights only. Hours: open 24 hours.
As Tanzania’s economic capital, Dar es Salaam has good domestic and international transport links. Several airlines offer flights to the Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), including Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways Delta, KLM, Swiss International Air Lines, and Turkish Airlines.
The bus journey from the airport to the city centre takes around 30 minutes. You can take any bus in the direction of Kisutu. Tickets should cost TSH 200-TSH 400. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber to the city centre, but this will be more expensive. A taxi to the city centre costs around TSh 400.000.
After dark, caution should be taken with taxis. Dar es Salaam covers a huge spread of land and taxis can become much more expensive if you are staying in the outskirts of the city. If you book with us, we will take care of your transport.
- Rush hour
- By taxi
There aren’t any big companies that organise taxis in the city, but most of them are regulated by the government. Look for taxi signs and licenses for safer options.
Taxi fares are negotiated before alighting. In the evening, taxis are a bit harder to find. If you use a taxi driver and enjoy their service, you may want to ask for their number and call them directly for future trips.
Hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment venues will also have their preferred taxi drivers.
- By bus
Dar es Salaam’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has transformed the city’s transport network.
The BRT system has reduced traffic congestion and dedicated bus lanes have reduced journey times.
The BRT costs less than TSH 2000. For tourists, BRT is a great option for getting around but routes are limited.
- By dala dala
For those who are brave enough, the dala dala is a fun way to experience how locals travel around the city.
Dala dalas only leave when their capacity is reached, but they are very cheap (less than TSH 1000 for most routes). During rush hour, getting onto a dala dala can be a battle, with people climbing through windows. Travellers should avoid rush hour and wait for the next dala dala if the capacity has been reached.
Basic knowledge of Kiswahili is useful. These minibuses often have reckless drivers, so some travellers choose to avoid them.
- By bajaji
Bajaji are the typical Indian three-wheeler which offers a cheap but less crowded alternative to dala dalas. Fares should be agreed on before entering the bajajis.
Bajajis are more prone to accidents due to their unstable nature and their drivers are often reckless. In traffic stops, they are much easier to rob, but this happens rarely at daytime.
Three people can easily fit into one of these vehicles, but it is common to see up to eight people trying to squeeze in.
Yes, Dar es Salaam is safe to visit if you stick to some rules. Don’t wear any flashy jewelry or carry your valuables openly. Watch out for the insane traffic. Try to only use taxi drivers at night that your hotel or restaurant recommended or one that you already know. If you are going out late, it might be worth to pre-arrange a pick-up time with a known taxi. Don’t walk around, even just between bars, after nightfall. If you are in a bar or club, keep your drinks covered or not out of sight. If you are going out, it might be wise to dress a bit more covered than you would usually do to avoid unnecessary attention. These are all rules that should apply to your general travels in Tanzania, not just Dar es Salaam. Crime is an issue in the city, but this should not deter you from visiting Dar es Salaam.
No, Dar es Salaam is fairly cheap to visit and stay in. There are various hotels and restaurants, tailored to different budgets, so there should be no problem to find something that suits your wallet best.
Dar es Salaam is usually skipped in favor of Zanzibar and the Northern National Parks. If the beautiful savannah or lonely beaches is what you are looking for, other places might be better, but Dar es Salaam is rich with culture and history. It is unbeatable for food options in the entire country and the nightlife is good. There is the possibility of accessing some beaches, but most importantly you will learn immensely about African urban life.
Dar es Salaam has a reputation for being very hot. Temperatures can reach well over 30 Degrees Celsius, worsened by the bustling city center and congestion. It is hot and humid all year round. Despite the heat you should wear covering clothes unless you are at the beach to respect the local culture.
Like in most of Tanzania, you should not drink the tap water in Dar es Salaam. It is fine to use it for brushing your teeth, but otherwise bottled water is better.