How Much It Costs to Get from Dar es Salaam Airport to the City

Transport pricing from Julius Nyerere Airport is negotiable for taxis and variable for ride-hailing, which makes giving exact prices difficult. Here are realistic ranges based on the current situation.

To City Center / Kariakoo (12 km)

• Negotiated taxi: 40,000-70,000 TZS ($15-28 USD).
• Uber/Bolt: 25,000-50,000 TZS ($10-20 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $25-40 USD.

Drive time: 25-90 minutes depending on traffic.

To Masaki / Oyster Bay (15 km)

• Negotiated taxi: 50,000-80,000 TZS ($20-32 USD).
• Uber/Bolt: 35,000-60,000 TZS ($14-24 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $30-45 USD.

Drive time: 30-90 minutes. This upscale area has many international hotels.

To Msasani Peninsula (18 km)

• Negotiated taxi: 60,000-90,000 TZS ($24-36 USD).
• Uber/Bolt: 40,000-70,000 TZS ($16-28 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $35-50 USD.

Drive time: 35-90 minutes. Home to the Slipway shopping center and Coco Beach area.

To Kigamboni / South Beach (10 km plus ferry)

• Taxi to Kigamboni ferry: 30,000-50,000 TZS + ferry fare.
• Pre-booked transfer (via new Kigamboni bridge): $25-40 USD.

To Zanzibar ferry terminal (12 km)

• Negotiated taxi: 40,000-70,000 TZS ($15-28 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $25-40 USD.

Note: The ferry to Zanzibar costs about $35 USD for tourists. First departure is typically around 7 AM.

To Bagamoyo (65 km north)

• Pre-booked transfer: $60-90 USD.
• Taxi: Difficult to negotiate for this distance. Expect 100,000-150,000 TZS if you find a willing driver.

Drive time: 60-90 minutes.

What affects the price

Negotiation is the biggest variable for taxis. The same trip can cost 40,000 or 80,000 TZS depending on how firmly you bargain and how the driver assesses your willingness to negotiate. Having a sense of the fair price before you start helps.

Traffic dramatically affects travel time but not necessarily cost. Taxis charge a flat negotiated rate regardless of how long the journey takes. Uber and Bolt use time-based pricing, so heavy traffic increases the fare.

Time of day matters. Late-night taxi fares tend to be 20-30% higher due to reduced competition. Uber surge pricing can also apply during low-availability periods.

Vehicle type affects transfer pricing. Standard sedan transfers are at the lower end of the ranges above. SUVs and minivans cost $5-15 USD more.

Getting the best price

For taxis, the key is knowing the approximate fair rate and negotiating calmly. Do not accept the first offer - it is always high. A counter-offer of about 60-70% of the initial ask is a reasonable starting point.

For the cheapest possible fare, Uber or Bolt during normal hours is hard to beat. Set up the app before landing.

For the smoothest experience regardless of price, a pre-booked transfer wins. The premium over Uber is about $10-20, which is meaningful for budget travelers but modest for most international visitors.