Getting Around Tanzania: Transport Guide for Travellers

Getting around Tanzania is straightforward when you know your options: licensed airport taxis and hotel shuttles, ride‑hailing apps in major cities, long‑distance buses or domestic flights between regions, and private drivers for safaris and coastal trips. Budget around $20–30 for airport transfers, $0.30–1 per city ride on public transport, and from $8–20 for inter‑city buses (2025 prices).

Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar are the main hubs you’ll move through, with taxis, ride‑hailing, and local buses covering most everyday journeys. For longer hops — say Arusha to Moshi, or Dar es Salaam to Arusha — most travellers choose modern coaches or domestic airlines rather than self‑drive.

To use ride‑hailing apps, navigation tools like Google Maps, and WhatsApp with drivers, you’ll want reliable mobile data from day one. An eSIM from Hello lets you land, connect instantly, and start booking rides without hunting for a local SIM stall.

If you’re planning safaris or beach time in Zanzibar, remember that transfers are often bundled into tour or hotel packages; always check what’s included before you book. For independent travellers, combining a Hello eSIM for connectivity, cash for local buses, and pre‑booked long‑distance buses or flights gives the best balance of comfort, cost, and flexibility.

Airport transfers in Tanzania are best handled with licensed taxis, hotel shuttles, or pre‑booked drivers, with typical costs ranging from $15–30 for city centres in 2025. Booking in advance or using ride‑hailing apps where available makes arrivals at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar much smoother.

Tanzania’s three main gateways are Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) for Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for Arusha/Moshi safaris, and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) for Zanzibar. According to the Tanzania Airports Authority, passenger numbers have been growing steadily, with Dar es Salaam handling over 2.5 million travellers in recent years, so arrivals can feel busy at peak times.

Typical one‑way transfer prices in 2025:

• DAR → city centre: $15–25 for a licensed taxi; $10–20 for hotel shuttles (often free with upscale hotels).
• JRO → Arusha (about 1 hour): $40–60 per vehicle, often arranged by safari lodges.
• JRO → Moshi: $30–50 depending on time of day and negotiation.
• ZNZ → Stone Town: $15–25; ZNZ → Nungwi/Paje: $40–70 per car.

Always confirm if prices are per car or per person, and whether payment is in Tanzanian shillings (TZS) or USD — many airport taxis still quote in USD for tourists. Cash is widely expected, though some drivers accept mobile money or card via a link.

To avoid hawkers in arrival halls, arrange your Tanzania airport transfer through your hotel or a reputable tour operator, and have the driver hold your name on a sign. With a Hello eSIM activated before landing, you can message your driver, share your live location, or adjust pickup time if immigration queues are longer than expected.

Public transport in Tanzania is cheap and extensive, but it’s basic and often crowded, so most travellers mix local buses with taxis and ride‑hailing rather than relying on public transit alone. Expect to pay under $1 per ride in cities and from $8–20 for inter‑city coaches (2025).

Tanzania does not have metros or trams, but it does have a growing bus network. Dar es Salaam’s Bus Rapid Transit (DART) system runs articulated blue buses on dedicated lanes along key corridors. A single ride on DART typically costs the equivalent of $0.30–0.60, paid using a rechargeable smart card sold at main stations. Cards themselves cost a small fee (around $1–2), and you top up with cash at kiosks.

Outside DART routes, you’ll see dalla‑dalla (minibuses) and bodaboda (motorbike taxis):

• Dalla‑dalla: Cheapest way to get around, typically $0.20–0.50 per ride inside cities. They can be very crowded and don’t always stick to timetables.
• Bodaboda: Quick for short hops, usually $0.70–2 in town, but wear a helmet and agree the price beforehand.

Across the country, long‑distance buses link major cities such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi, Dodoma, and Mwanza. A comfortable coach from Dar es Salaam to Arusha (10–12 hours) often costs $15–25 in 2025, depending on operator and class. According to Tanzania’s Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority, these regulated inter‑city buses carry millions of passengers each year, making them the backbone of domestic travel.

Public transport is safe enough for most travellers during the day, but keep valuables close, avoid very late‑night rides, and use taxis or ride‑hailing after dark if you’re unfamiliar with the area.

Ride‑hailing apps and licensed taxis are the easiest way for travellers to get around Tanzania’s big cities, with typical city rides costing $2–6 and airport runs from $10–25 in 2025. You’ll need mobile data for app‑based rides, so arriving with a Hello eSIM makes life noticeably easier.

In Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar (Stone Town and some beach areas), ride‑hailing services like Bolt operate with variable coverage, while traditional street taxis remain common. Travel blogs and recent traveller reports consistently recommend Bolt in Dar es Salaam for safer pricing and easier communication, especially for visitors who don’t speak Swahili.

Typical 2025 prices you can expect:

• Short city ride (3–5 km): $2–3 with apps; $3–5 with regular taxis.
• Cross‑city ride in Dar es Salaam: $4–8 depending on traffic.
• Evening or rainy‑season rides may have surge pricing on apps.

Here’s how taxis and ride‑hailing compare for getting around Tanzania:

Option	Where it works best	Typical cost (2025)	Pros	Cons
Bolt / similar	Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar	$2–8 in city	Upfront price, in‑app map, safer feel	Needs mobile data, surge at busy times
Street taxis	Nationwide, airports, hotels	$3–25 depending on distance	Flexible, easy to find at hubs	Negotiate price, fewer meters
Hotel taxis	From mid‑range and upscale hotels	Often 20–30% above street	Vetted drivers, hotel support	Higher cost

Because these services rely on GPS and messaging, staying connected is key. With Hello’s eSIM plans for Tanzania, you can buy and activate data in the Hello app before you fly, land already online, and book a ride the moment you clear customs — no bargaining at the curb, no hunting for Wi‑Fi.

Inter‑city travel in Tanzania is dominated by long‑distance buses and domestic flights, with trains and ferries playing niche but useful roles for some routes. Buses are the budget choice ($8–25 per journey), while flights save time on long distances like Dar es Salaam–Arusha or Zanzibar–mainland.

Long‑distance buses are the most common way locals move between cities. Routes like Dar es Salaam–Arusha, Arusha–Moshi, or Dar es Salaam–Mwanza are served by multiple private companies with different comfort levels. In 2025, expect roughly:

• Dar es Salaam → Arusha: $15–25, 10–12 hours.
• Arusha → Moshi: $3–5, 2–3 hours on a shuttle or regional bus.
• Dar es Salaam → Dodoma: $10–18, 7–9 hours.

Booking a day in advance at bus stations or through tour agencies is wise in high season (June–October and December). Many coaches now have allocated seats and basic air‑con.

Domestic flights connect major tourism hubs: Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar, Mwanza, and the Serengeti airstrips. According to recent airline schedules, daily flights often run between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, with promo fares from around $40–70 one‑way in 2025 if booked early, though luggage and fees can increase this.

Trains are being modernised, with the new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) gradually rolling out on routes like Dar es Salaam–Dodoma and further inland. At the time of writing, services are still ramping up, so trains are more an interesting local experience than a fully reliable tourist network.

For Zanzibar, ferries from Dar es Salaam remain popular. A fast ferry to Stone Town typically costs $35–50 one‑way for foreigners (economy class), taking about two hours. Weather and sea conditions can be rough, so motion‑sickness tablets and waterproofing your bags are recommended.

Driving in Tanzania gives you flexibility for coastal trips and off‑the‑beaten‑path stays, but road conditions, traffic, and local driving styles mean it’s better suited to confident drivers or those hiring a car with a local driver. An International Driving Permit is strongly recommended alongside your home licence.

Tanzania drives on the left, with a general speed limit of 50 km/h in towns and up to 80–100 km/h on open roads, though signage can be inconsistent. Police checkpoints are frequent; always carry your passport, driving licence, International Driving Permit (IDP), and rental papers. Many rental companies in Dar es Salaam and Arusha explicitly require an IDP for foreign licences.

Typical 2025 rental costs:

• Small car (city use): from $35–50 per day, often with 100–150 km included.
• 4×4 for safari‑capable trips: $80–150 per day, more with rooftop tents or camping gear.
• Car with driver: $60–120 per day plus fuel, depending on vehicle and itinerary.

Road quality varies widely. Main highways between Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and other major cities are paved, but potholes, speed bumps, and livestock are common. In national parks and rural areas, unpaved tracks can become challenging or impassable in rainy seasons (March–May and November).

Navigation relies heavily on apps like Google Maps and Maps.me, which can be inaccurate in some rural areas but are excellent in cities and on main highways. A Hello eSIM gives you the data you need for real‑time navigation and traffic checks, especially useful when skirting Dar es Salaam’s legendary rush‑hour jams.

If you’re mainly visiting safari parks and Zanzibar, many travellers skip self‑drive altogether, booking tours that include transport and using taxis and ride‑hailing for city days.

Most travellers get around Tanzania using a mix of airport transfers, ride‑hailing apps in major cities, long‑distance buses or domestic flights between regions, and hotel‑arranged drivers for safaris and beach transfers. Public transport is cheap but basic, so many visitors prioritise safety and comfort over the absolute lowest cost.

Is public transport in Tanzania safe for tourists?
During the day, city buses and dalla‑dalla are generally safe, though crowded. Keep valuables hidden and in front of you, avoid very late‑night rides, and prefer licensed taxis or ride‑hailing after dark.

How much should I budget for transport per day?
If you mostly use public buses and occasional taxis, $5–10 per day is realistic in 2025. If you rely on ride‑hailing, hotel taxis, or private drivers, plan for $15–30 per day, especially in Dar es Salaam and Arusha.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Tanzania?
An IDP is strongly recommended and often required by rental agencies, even if your home licence is in English. It also helps at police checkpoints.

What’s the best way to get from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar?
Fast ferries take about two hours and cost around $35–50 one‑way for foreigners, while flights are quicker door‑to‑door but can be pricier once bags and fees are added.

How can I keep track of transport costs while travelling?
The Hello app includes budget tracking and expense splitting, so you can log every taxi, bus, or flight — even by snapping photos of receipts in Swahili or Tanzanian shillings — and split costs fairly with friends using live exchange rates. Over a two‑week trip, this makes it much easier to stay on top of shared transfers, tours, and long‑distance tickets.