Tanzania (TZ)

East African expat base with Swahili-English daily life, Indian Ocean access, major safari and NGO sectors, growing mining and energy work, and relatively low local costs offset by permit, insurance, school, and hard-currency housing expenses.

Capital: Dodoma

Region: Africa

Language: Swahili

Currency: TZS (TSh)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 27)

Emergency: 112

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Tanzania.

Public Transport Overview

Dar es Salaam has DART bus rapid transit on main corridors, dala-dala minibuses, bajaj three-wheelers, bodaboda motorcycles, ferries, ride-hailing, and long-distance coaches. Arusha, Moshi, Mwanza, Dodoma, and Zanzibar rely more on dala-dalas, taxis, bajaj, and private cars.

Main operators:

DARTUDA Rapid TransitKilimanjaro ExpressDar LuxShabiby LineAzam MarinePrecision AirAir TanzaniaCoastal AviationZan Fast Ferries

🎫 Transit Passes

DART card/ticket Typically low-cost per ride in TZS; confirm current route fare locally

Dar es Salaam BRT corridors

💡 Best for predictable commuting on covered corridors; overcrowding at peak times.

Long-distance coach ticket TSh 30,000-90,000 depending route and class

Dar, Arusha, Moshi, Dodoma, Mwanza, Mbeya, Tanga and other cities

💡 Book reputable operators and avoid overnight road travel when possible.

Dar-Zanzibar ferry Approx USD 35-60 for many foreigner fares depending class

Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar

💡 Use official ferry offices or trusted agents; carry passport/ID.

Taxi & Rideshare

Taxis are common but negotiate before departure unless using an app. Airport taxis cost more. Hotel-arranged drivers are safer for first arrival and night trips.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

Bolt, Uber, Little, and local ride-hailing options operate in Dar es Salaam and some other cities. Confirm plate, driver name, and price before entering.

Cycling

Cycling is possible but infrastructure is limited and traffic discipline varies. Use reflective gear, avoid highways, and be cautious around buses, trucks, and motorcycles.

Intercity Trains

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) launched commercial passenger services between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma on August 1, 2024 — journey time approximately 3.5 hours. Two express train pairs daily as of January 2026; a third EMU service added June 2026 to meet rising demand. Book tickets at sgrticket.trc.co.tz. TAZARA (to Zambia) and older metre-gauge services have variable schedules — confirm before relying on them. SGR network expansion (to Mwanza, Kigoma, Burundi) is ongoing through 2028.

Driving

Tanzania drives on the left. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on highways. City driving requires defensive habits, patience with motorcycles and minibuses, and readiness for police checkpoints. Rural night driving is high-risk due to animals, unlit vehicles, pedestrians, and poor emergency response.

Airports

Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is the main international gateway. Kilimanjaro International Airport serves Arusha/Moshi and safari routes; Abeid Amani Karume International Airport serves Zanzibar.