Comparison of Travel Costs From Nairobi to Tanzania: Flight, Bus & Private Car 

Tanzania is one of the most popular destinations for Kenyans travelling for trips or business.

Whether you are heading to Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Mwanza, travellers have several transport options to choose from depending on their budget, comfort preferences and how quickly they want to arrive.

In this article, we compare the costs, travel times and requirements for the most common ways of travelling from Nairobi to Tanzania.

Also Read: Comparison of Nairobi-Mombasa Travel Costs: SGR, Flights, Buses and Driving

Documents required when travelling to Tanzania

Before starting your journey, ensure you have the necessary travel documents.

If you are not driving a personal car, you need to have a  valid passport/ National ID, a temporary Tanzanian visa which costs Ksh1,050 and a Yellow Fever Certificate.

On the other hand, those driving their vehicles also need to have the original logbook matching the passport holder's name, a valid Driving Licence, a reflective triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher. Those driving are also required to have yellow COMESA insurance, which can be issued by insurance agents.

Travellers should note that border verification procedures can take up to one hour, especially during peak travel periods.

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1. Flights

Nairobi to Dar es Salaam: A one-way economy ticket costs between Ksh24,447 and Ksh35,500, depending on the airline and booking period. Business class tickets can cost up to Ksh126,000. The flight takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Nairobi to Arusha: Flights to Arusha start from approximately Ksh38,000 to Ksh40,000.

Nairobi to Zanzibar: Economy fares range between Ksh28,000 and Ksh44,000, while business class tickets can cost as much as Ksh138,000.

Nairobi to Mwanza: Economy tickets start from around Ksh50,135, while business class fares can rise to approximately Ksh126,000.

Travellers looking to save money are advised to book weeks or months in advance, as ticket prices often increase significantly closer to the travel date.

Also Read: My First SGR Train Experience Came After 9 Years, But I Was Very Disappointed

2. Bus

Buses that operate between the two countries have two main destinations in Tanzania, and that is Arusha and Dar es Salaam via the Namanga border.

Between Nairobi and Arusha, bus fares generally range between Ksh2,500 for standard class, Ksh3,000 for VIP class, and Ksh4,000 for premium services

Between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, most operators charge between Ksh4,000 and Ksh5,000.

The journey takes approximately 15 hours, depending on border traffic and road conditions.

3. Shared Shuttles

Shared shuttles are quite similar to buses, but they carry fewer passengers. Most of the shuttles offer services for the Nairobi to Arusha route via the Namanga border.

Current fares are approximately Ksh4,855 per person. The journey takes about six hours, although this can vary depending on traffic conditions and border clearance at Namanga.

However, travellers must ensure they have the necessary entry documents before departure, as operators will not allow passengers without valid travel documents to cross the border.

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4. Private chauffeur

Private transfers offer convenience and door-to-door service but are considerably more expensive.

From Nairobi to Arusha, a six-seater private transfer costs approximately Ksh35,585. The journey covers about 275 kilometres and takes roughly 4.5 hours, excluding border delays.

From Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, companies offering private transfers charge approximately Ksh243,919. The route covers about 824 kilometres and takes nearly 14 hours.

From Nairobi to Zanzibar, travellers can expect to pay around Ksh256,231. The journey involves approximately 907 kilometres of road travel, plus the ferry connection to Zanzibar.

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5. Driving your own car

Many Kenyans choose to drive into Tanzania, especially when travelling as a family or planning to visit multiple destinations.

From Nairobi to Arusha, the distance via the A104 highway through Namanga is approximately 273 kilometres. For a vehicle averaging 15 kilometres per litre, fuel consumption is estimated at about 18 litres. This translates to fuel costs of approximately Ksh4,000 to Ksh5,000 depending on fuel prices. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours.

For electric vehicle owners, the Nairobi-Arusha journey can be significantly cheaper. Some motorists who have used a fully charged electric vehicle may require electricity costing as little as Ksh500 for the trip. However, drivers should factor in charging times, which can range between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the charging infrastructure available.

From Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, the road journey covers approximately 823 kilometres. Fuel costs are estimated at between Ksh11,000 and Ksh13,000, while driving time ranges from 10 to 11 hours.

Motorists should note that Tanzanian traffic police are strict on speed limits and vehicle safety requirements. Failure to comply can result in fines.

Also Read: List of All Road Points With NTSA Speed Cameras & the Speed Limits