Cheap Flights London to Dar es Salaam 2026 — Fares, Airlines & Best Time to Book

There is no non-stop flight from London to Dar es Salaam, so every itinerary to Tanzania’s largest city connects once — through an African hub such as Addis Ababa or Nairobi, or a Gulf/Istanbul hub like Doha, Dubai or Istanbul. This guide covers the realistic routings, what a fair return costs in pounds, and how to pick the fastest or cheapest option.

Fares from London to Dar es Salaam (GBP)

Tanzania is busiest in its dry seasons — the long dry stretch from June to October (prime safari and Zanzibar weather) and the shorter dry window in January and February — and these are the priciest times to fly, along with Christmas. The wetter months of March to May usually bring competitive fares. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.

We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.

Airlines on this route

Every option connects once. The African hubs are usually the quickest, the Gulf carriers the most comfortable:

• Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa — typically the fastest routing (around 12 hours total) and often good value.
• Kenya Airways via Nairobi — a short second hop into Dar es Salaam and a strong African-network option.
• Qatar Airways via Doha — frequent, well-rated, and often the best-value premium cabin.
• Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — a wide schedule and usually among competitive headline fares.
• Emirates via Dubai and KLM via Amsterdam — further reliable one-stop choices, KLM being the smoothest all-European routing.

If you want to be on the ground quickly, the Addis or Nairobi connections are hard to beat; if comfort matters more, the Gulf and Istanbul carriers offer newer cabins for a modest premium. Many travellers combine Dar es Salaam with a Zanzibar hop or a northern safari, so check whether an onward domestic flight is cheaper booked together.

When to book & how to save

• Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; peak safari-season fares (June–October) climb early.
• Travel in the shoulder or green months (March–May, November) for the lowest fares — wetter, but far cheaper and quieter.
• Compare African-hub against Gulf routings: Ethiopian and Kenya Airways are often cheaper and faster, while Qatar, Emirates and Turkish add comfort.
• Check checked-bag rules: the full-service carriers usually include 23–30 kg to Dar es Salaam, but confirm on the cheapest fare classes.
• Bundle Zanzibar or safari flights where possible — a through-ticket can be cheaper and protects your onward connection.

Arriving in Dar es Salaam

Flights land at Julius Nyerere International (DAR), about 12 km south-west of the city centre. The modern Terminal 3 handles most international arrivals. There’s no train, so the usual options are the official airport taxi or a pre-booked transfer (roughly £12–£20 into the city, agree the fare first) or a ride-hailing app, which is often cheaper. Traffic into central Dar es Salaam can be heavy, so allow 30–60 minutes. Many visitors head straight to the ferry terminal for Zanzibar — check whether a domestic flight from the same airport suits your plans better.

Frequently asked questions

Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.