Dubai to Dar es Salaam is the Gulf’s gateway to Tanzania and the Swahili coast — a five-and-a-half-hour hop that puts Zanzibar’s beaches, the safari circuit and Kilimanjaro within easy onward reach. Emirates flies it non-stop, and other carriers add value on one-stop routings. Here is who really flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in dirhams, and when to book.
Route: Dubai (DXB) → Julius Nyerere International, Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Distance: approximately 3,530 km (2,195 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 5h 25m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — Emirates and Air Tanzania both fly non-stop. flydubai also serves the route, but its service connects through another point rather than flying direct.
Fares from Dubai to Dar es Salaam (AED)
Tanzania’s peak travel season tracks the dry months — roughly June to October for safari and the Zanzibar beaches, plus the December–January festive window. The long rains (March–May) are the quietest and cheapest. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | high |
| February | medium |
| March | low (long rains) |
| April | low |
| May | low |
| June | medium-high |
| July | high (dry season) |
| August | high |
| September | medium-high |
| October | medium |
| November | medium (short rains) |
| December | high |
We do not hold a long deal history on this exact route yet, so treat these as indicative. In practice a good economy return lands around AED 1,300–1,700 in the low season, rising well above AED 2,500 in the July–August safari peak and over Christmas. Always check the live fare before booking.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop
- Emirates — the main non-stop operator, flying most days of the week from Dubai International with a wide-body aircraft and full economy, business and first cabins.
- Air Tanzania — the national carrier flies the route non-stop too, a useful direct alternative and handy for onward domestic links within Tanzania.
One-stop (often cheaper)
- flydubai — Dubai’s low-cost carrier serves Dar es Salaam with a connecting routing rather than a direct flight; lead-in fares can be keen, but you will spend longer in transit.
- Qatar Airways — via Doha, frequent and comfortable, often competitive on price.
- Ethiopian Airlines — via Addis Ababa, another solid-value one-stop into Dar es Salaam.
When to book & how to save
- Book 6–10 weeks ahead for the best non-stop fares, and earlier for the July–August safari peak and the Christmas window, when seats fill fast.
- Travel in the March–May long rains or in November for the lowest fares — the coast is quieter and greener, and prices soften noticeably.
- Compare the Emirates non-stop against a one-stop via Doha or Addis: the direct saves several hours, but a connection can be cheaper outside peak season.
- If Zanzibar is your real destination, price both a Dar es Salaam arrival plus a short domestic or ferry hop, and a direct flight to Zanzibar (ZNZ) — one is often clearly cheaper than the other.
Arriving in Dar es Salaam
Flights land at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), about 12 km southwest of the city centre; international flights use the modern Terminal 3. There is no train link, so a taxi or a pre-booked hotel transfer is the standard way in — expect roughly 30–60 minutes depending on Dar’s notoriously heavy traffic, at a cost in the region of AED 40–90 equivalent in Tanzanian shillings. Agree the fare before you set off, and if you are heading to Zanzibar, the ferry terminal and domestic terminal connections are straightforward from here.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Dubai to Dar es Salaam?
The non-stop flight takes about 5 hours 25 minutes southbound, with return flights of similar length. It is a comfortable medium-haul sector, short enough for a daytime flight but long enough that the full-service cabins are a real comfort upgrade.
Are there direct flights from Dubai to Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Emirates and Air Tanzania both fly non-stop between Dubai and Dar es Salaam. flydubai also serves the city, but its service connects through another point rather than flying direct, so check the routing before you assume it is non-stop.
How much does a flight from Dubai to Dar es Salaam cost?
Typical economy returns run from about AED 1,300 in the low season to AED 3,100 over the December peak. A good non-stop deal sits around AED 1,300–1,700 in the quiet months. Prices are indicative — always check the live fare, as they climb sharply in the safari season.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Dar es Salaam?
April and May, during the long rains, are usually the cheapest, with returns dipping toward AED 1,300. March and November are close behind. The most expensive periods are July–August (safari high season) and the Christmas/New Year window.
Which airlines fly from Dubai to Dar es Salaam?
Emirates and Air Tanzania fly it non-stop. For one-stop options, flydubai routes through a connecting point, while Qatar Airways (via Doha) and Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) add frequent, often cheaper alternatives with a stop.
Which airport does the flight use in Dar es Salaam?
All flights use Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), about 12 km from the city centre, with international arrivals at the newer Terminal 3. It is also the jumping-off point for onward flights and ferries to Zanzibar.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim for 6–10 weeks ahead for the best non-stop fares. Book earlier for July–August, when the safari and beach season pushes demand and prices up, and for the festive period, when both leisure and diaspora traffic peak.
Is it cheaper to fly on certain days?
Midweek departures are generally a little cheaper than weekend flights, when leisure demand is highest. A day or two of flexibility around your dates can help, especially if you are travelling in or near the peak dry season.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
