Booking domestic flights in Tanzania
Book your domestic flights directly through carrier websites or regional aggregators like FlightLink or Coastal Aviation. Always book at least 3 weeks in advance for popular routes like Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar or Serengeti to avoid significant price hikes.
- Identify your airline. For major hub-to-hub flights (Dar to Arusha), use Precision Air or Air Tanzania. For bush flights to national parks (Serengeti, Ruaha), use bush operators like Coastal Aviation, Safari Air Link, or Auric Air.
- Use a reputable aggregator. Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to see schedules, but click through to the official airline website to book. Third-party sites often struggle with regional African carrier ticket confirmation.
- Verify your baggage allowance. Most bush airlines strictly enforce a 15kg (33 lbs) limit in soft-sided bags. Standard airlines allow 23kg. If you have excess, you must pay in advance or your bag will be left behind.
- Confirm the terminal. In Dar es Salaam, international flights use Terminal 3, but most domestic flights use Terminal 1 or 2. Check your ticket carefully; arriving at the wrong terminal will cause you to miss your flight.
- Do I need to print my boarding pass?
- Yes. While some airlines are moving to digital, many regional Tanzanian operators still require a printed E-ticket or boarding pass to clear security checkpoints.
- How early should I arrive at the airport?
- Arrive 90 minutes before domestic departures. Security lines can be slow and manual boarding processes take time.
- Are flight delays common?
- Extremely. Weather or mechanical issues on bush strips are normal. Do not schedule a tight international connection on the same day you fly in from a remote bush camp.