Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) serves the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam, which is also the country’s most populous city and commercial capital. DAR is Tanzania’s largest and busiest airport.
The airport was named after Tanzania’s first president, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, in 2006. It is located about 12 km southwest of the city centre and handles domestic, regional, and a few long-haul flights to Europe and Asia.
In 2025, DAR handled over 2 million passengers, making it one of the most important hubs in East Africa.
Major Airlines - Air Tanzania, Precision Air
Air Tanzania, the flag carrier, has the most departures at DAR with over 600 monthly flights. The airline focuses on connecting the Tanzanian capital, which is its main hub, to regional destinations such as Ghana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Domestic flights are offered by Precision Air instead. This airline offers domestic routes to Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Mwanza, and others.
Other African airlines that fly to and from Dar Es Salaam include Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Egyptair, South African Airways, and Zambia Airways.
The few long-haul flights that DAR offers are served by some of the largest airlines in the world, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, KLM, and Turkish Airlines.
To see all airlines at Julius Nyerere International Airport and their routes, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Dar Es Salaam Airport has 3 terminals:
Terminal 1: The smallest facility. It is used primarily for charter and private flights within Tanzania.
Terminal 2: Dedicated to most domestic and regional scheduled flights. Precision Air is the main user of T2. It is undergoing modernization to expand capacity and turn it into a modern domestic hub.
Terminal 3: The newest and most modern building, opened in 2019. It is primarily an international terminal and handles all foreign airlines and most of Air Tanzania’s flights.
All three terminals are their separate buildings. Terminals 2 and 3 are adjacent and within 400 meters of each other. Terminal 1 is farther away, but you are unlikely to transfer between T1 and one of the others.
Transfers between domestic and international flights typically involve moving between T2 (mostly domestic) and T3 (mostly international). There is no shuttle and no need for one either - you can freely walk between them in less than 5 minutes. If you do not have the boarding pass for your next flight, follow the signs to reach the Transfer Desk, where you will be issued a boarding pass.
See the best things to do in Dar Es Salaam and Tanzania.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Dar es Salaam Airport offers free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout all terminals. Connect to the “Airport free wifi” network and register to use it for as long as you remain at the airport.
Other passenger services at DAR include:
ATMs: Two landside.
Currency Exchange: In Departures and Arrivals.
Baggage services, including packing and wrapping. The airport also offers free trolleys and paid porterage services.
A mosque
First aid
A colorful children’s playroom.
A Vodacom SIM card store, located just outside the airport, between T3 and T2.
Lounges at Julius Nyerere International Airport
Terminals 1 and 3 of DAR have at least one lounge where you can spend your time at the airport in style.
Terminal 1 (the charter terminal) houses a CIP Lounge, located airside in the waiting area. It is open from 5:30 AM until 8:00 PM and functions on a pay-to-enter basis, and offers food, drinks, seating, and showers.
Terminal 3 has two different lounges:
A CIP Lounge, located near Gate C6 (airside). It’s open 24/7 and also functions under a pay-to-enter scheme. It offers an impressive food selection, both in a buffet and a la carte, barista coffee, and cocktails. Other notable amenities include its functional workspaces and the showers.
Twiga Business Lounge, located opposite Gate C4 (airside), is also open 24/7. The entrance fee is set at 35 USD, but it accepts several lounge membership programs. It features food and drinks, rest areas, and showers.
Dining Options at JNIA
Julius Nyerere International Airport offers a few different dining options, but does not have a large selection of restaurants and bars, which you may expect from larger world hubs.
Given the international crowd, most places to eat are in the international departure zone of Terminal 3, while domestic terminals have more limited choices.
In Terminal 1, there is a small local restaurant just before Check-in, and a small coffee shop right outside the building. If you want something on the go, there is also a small shop selling soft drinks, snacks, and desserts.
Terminal 2 has two restaurants offering basic fast food and a mini grocery store outside the terminal building.
Terminal 3 offers the greatest variety of dining options, including:
KFC: An international fast-food chain famous for its fried chicken.
Air Café: A casual café inside the terminal.
The Flying Pan Restaurant: Order from a wide variety of wok, fried, and vegetarian meals.
The Coffee House: A nice place to spend time after checking in. Offers many varieties of tea and coffee, soft drinks, and light snacks.
Vivz Resto & Bar: A good place to get a drink or a meal after Security.
Transport to and from the airport
Public buses do not stop at the airport. If you don’t have a lot of luggage, you can walk approximately 800 meters outside, where the local buses have a stop on the main road (Julius Nyerere Road). This is the most budget-friendly way to travel into the city (fare to city center is just 400 TZS/0.15 USD), though reliable bus schedules are hard to come by, and the buses may be crowded.
Also running the main road in front of DAR are shared minivans called “daladala”. You can flag one down with your hand, just ensure it goes in your direction before getting inside.
A much more convenient travel option is to take one of the fixed-rate taxis right outside Terminals 2 and 3, in the Ground Transportation Area. They have green ribbons and the TAA logo. The fare between Dar Es Salaam and the airport is around 50.000 to 100.000 TZS (~20 to 40 USD).
You can get a cheaper taxi by flagging one on the main road in front of the airport; however, this is not recommended at night or for first-timers.
Uber and Bolt also operate in Tanzania, and you can order a taxi to or from the airport, using their respective app. Note that they don’t have dedicated pick-up and drop-off locations at DAR, instead using the main road in front.
Lastly, should you wish to explore Tanzania independently, you can rent a car from one of the car rental companies at Dar Es Salaam Airport. Some, like Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Sixt, have an office in the airport, while others will organize a car on your arrival if you pre-book.
Parking at Julius Nyerere International Airport
Julius Nyerere International Airport provides an automated POS parking system suitable for short-term needs. Parking lots are located in front of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, respectively. Both lots have 24/7 CCTV coverage, security patrols, lighting, and pedestrian access to the terminal.
The hourly charge is 1,000 TZS (~0.35 USD). Longer daily, weekly, or monthly stays should be pre-arranged with the airport authorities.
You can also remain curbside in front of each Terminal for up to 10 minutes free of charge.
Hotels near DAR
There are no hotels at the airport, but most larger hotels in Dar Es Salaam offer shuttle service to and from the airport at any time to match flight schedules, making it easy to connect.
If you insist on spending a night closer to the airport, there are several options on the other side of Julius K. Nyerere Rd:
BL Airport Hotel: With a shared lounge, free private parking, a bar, and terraces in most rooms, this 3-star hotel is one of the best stays near DAR.
KICEC Bar & Guest House Airport: A simple and cheap lodging perfect for one-night stays near the airport, though don’t expect much in terms of amenities.
Transit Airport B&B: A clean hotel with friendly staff, an on-site restaurant, and free wi-fi. Can organize a paid pick-up from the airport.
Popular areas of central Dar es Salaam with mid-range and upscale hotels are the Slipway area and Oyster Bay.
Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
