Find the cheapest flights from London to Dar es Salaam in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 11h 30m – 14h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €620 | high |
| February | €480 | low |
| March | €450 | low |
| April | €380 | low |
| May | €420 | low |
| June | €520 | medium |
| July | €680 | high |
| August | €720 | high |
| September | €480 | medium |
| October | €440 | medium |
| November | €380 | low |
| December | €750 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Ethiopian Airlines (connecting): from €380 — Book 8+ weeks ahead for best rates. Tuesday-Wednesday departures often cheapest. Use their multi-city search to add a stopover.
- Kenya Airways (connecting): from €420 — Nairobi connection typically shortest (11h 30m total). Check their Flash Deal promotions on Tuesdays.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €400 — Istanbul stopover can be useful to break up journey. Check Stopover Istanbul program for free hotel offers.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €450 — Doha connection is reliable but often slightly pricier. Use Oneworld partner BA Avios to book reward flights.
- Emirates (connecting): from €480 — Often most expensive option but most frequent flights. Skywards miles can be redeemed on this route.
Booking Strategy
For London to Dar es Salaam, the sweet spot for booking is 6-10 weeks before departure, with Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically £40-80 cheaper than weekend flights. April, May, and November offer the lowest fares (€350-450), while December and August see prices spike to €650-800 due to safari high season and holiday travel. Use Google Flights for flexible date searches and set price alerts for LHR-DAR. Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines consistently offer the best value, while Kenya Airways provides the fastest connection via Nairobi. Avoid Emirates and Qatar unless you have airline miles to redeem, as they rarely compete on price for this route. If your dates are flexible, shifting departure by 2-3 days can save £100+.
Route Tips
- Use London Heathrow (LHR) as your departure point—more flight options and better connection times than Gatwick for this route
- If flying Ethiopian Airlines, check their ‘Stopover Ethiopia’ program for free or heavily discounted hotel stays in Addis Ababa on flights transiting through
- For Zanzibar-bound travelers, book a morning flight arriving by 2pm to catch the last ferry at 3pm; alternatively stay overnight in Dar es Salaam
- Tanzania requires a tourist visa on arrival (US$50 for most nationalities) or e-visa application—apply online before departure to save time
- When searching flights, include nearby London airports (STN, LTN, MAN) in your search—sometimes connecting via another UK city works out cheaper
- Consider RwandAir via Kigali as an alternative—they sometimes undercut Ethiopian and Kenya Airways on this route
- Pack a warm layer—the aircraft can be cold on overnight flights, and airport terminals in East Africa can be chilly with heavy air conditioning
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Dar es Salaam?
There are no direct flights from London to Dar es Salaam. The shortest connecting time is approximately 11 hours 30 minutes with Kenya Airways via Nairobi, where you change planes and continue to Dar es Salaam. Most other routes via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or Doha (Qatar Airways) take between 12-14 hours total, including a 1-2 hour layover. The longest routes via Dubai with Emirates can stretch to 16+ hours depending on connection times.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Dar es Salaam?
Economy class flights range from €300-450 for budget deals booked well in advance, to €500-650 for standard bookings, and €700+ during peak season. The cheapest fares typically appear in April, May, and November when Tanzania is in its low season. Business class starts at around €1,800 and can exceed €3,000 during December. Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines generally offer the lowest prices, while Emirates and Qatar Airways command premium fares.
Are there direct flights from London to Dar es Salaam?
No, there are currently no direct flights from London to Dar es Salaam. All services require at least one stop. The most common connecting airports are Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), and Dubai (Emirates). You can also fly via Muscat with Oman Air or Kigali with RwandAir. The route is primarily served by African and Middle Eastern carriers, as European airlines do not operate this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Dar es Salaam?
April and November offer the cheapest flights, with average prices around €380-450. These months fall outside the main safari high season (December-March for wildebeest migration) and the European summer holiday period. May and October also provide good value at €420-480. Avoid December when prices peak at €750+ due to holiday travel, and July-August when European summer tourists coincide with safari season, pushing fares above €650.
Which airlines fly from London to Dar es Salaam?
Six airlines currently serve this route with connections: Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa, often cheapest), Kenya Airways (via Nairobi, shortest total time), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul, good stopover option), Qatar Airways (via Doha, reliable service), Emirates (via Dubai, frequent flights), and Oman Air (via Muscat, less common). All include 23kg checked baggage in economy class. No European carriers or low-cost airlines operate this route.
What airport do I fly into in Dar es Salaam?
You will land at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), located approximately 12 kilometers south of Dar es Salaam’s city center. Taxis to the city center cost approximately TZS 30,000-50,000 (€12-20) and take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Airport shuttles are available for around €8-10. Note that traffic in Dar es Salaam can be severe, so allow extra time if you have onward connections to Zanzibar (ferry from nearby port) or safari destinations.
How far in advance should I book London to Dar es Salaam flights?
Book 6-10 weeks ahead for optimal prices. Airlines release their cheapest seats around 8 weeks before departure, and prices tend to rise steadily after that point. For April and November travel, booking 10-12 weeks ahead secures the best deals. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) are rarely successful for this route—you’ll typically pay €200-400 more than advance bookings. If traveling during December or July-August, book even earlier (10-12 weeks) as seats sell quickly.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Dar es Salaam on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically £40-80 cheaper than Friday through Sunday flights. Monday and Thursday fall in the middle range. The difference is most pronounced in off-peak months—during high season, weekday savings are smaller but still present. For the best deals, aim for Tuesday or Wednesday departures in April, May, or November. Red-eye flights (overnight departures) can also be slightly cheaper than afternoon departures.
Data updated: 2026-03
