Find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Istanbul (IST) → Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 10 h 15 m – 14 h 30 m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €520 | high |
| February | €470 | medium-high |
| March | €380 | low |
| April | €340 | low |
| May | €350 | low |
| June | €440 | medium |
| July | €540 | high |
| August | €560 | high |
| September | €480 | medium-high |
| October | €420 | medium |
| November | €370 | low-medium |
| December | €490 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Turkish Airlines (direct): from €520 — Turkish Airlines IST-DAR operates 4x weekly. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for best rates. Istanbul Stopover Program offers free hotel for 24+ hour layovers.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €450 — Often cheapest connecting option. Use Doha as stopover – short minimum connection time. Search multi-city for potential fare savings.
- Ethiopian Airlines (connecting): from €300 — Usually cheapest connecting carrier. Allow 4+ hour layover in Addis. Check visa requirements if leaving airport.
- Emirates (connecting): from €480 — Dubai connection often has longer layover times. Use Emirates online booking for seat selection. Skywards miles valuable.
Booking Strategy
For Istanbul to Dar es Salaam, target booking 6-8 weeks before departure for optimal pricing. April and May offer the lowest fares (€340-380) coinciding with Tanzania’s long rains, though safari remains excellent. Avoid July-August when prices surge to €540+ during peak safari season. Turkish Airlines direct flights command a premium of €150-200 over connecting options but save 4-6 hours travel time. Wednesday and Thursday departures are typically €30-50 cheaper than weekend flights. Use Skyscanner’s ‘everywhere’ feature to compare all carriers, then book directly with the airline for better customer service on this route. For Turkish Airlines, the Istanbul Stopover program can transform a necessary layover into a free city tour.
Route Tips
- Turkish Airlines offers a free Istanbul Stopover program – book a layover over 20 hours and get complimentary hotel accommodation, making the journey more comfortable without extra cost
- Check visa requirements for transit countries – Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa may require a transit visa if you want to leave the airport during layovers
- Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) has limited dining options – eat before your flight or bring snacks, especially for evening arrivals
- For Zanzibar safaris, book ferry tickets in advance online (Ferry Zanzibar) – tickets cost approximately €35-40 and departures fill quickly during peak season
- If flying Emirates via Dubai, choose a longer layover (8+ hours) to explore the city using their free transit tour – available for passengers with 6+ hour layovers
- Safari operators in Dar es Salaam often offer better rates than booking from Istanbul – wait to book game drives until you arrive
- Tanzania requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country – Turkey is not one, so no vaccination needed for most travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam?
The direct flight from Istanbul (IST) to Dar es Salaam (DAR) takes approximately 7 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines, which operates this route 4 times weekly. Connecting flights via Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) take between 10 and 15 hours depending on the layover duration. The shortest connecting option is typically Qatar Airways via Doha at around 10 hours 15 minutes. Kenyan Airways via Nairobi offers routing times of approximately 12-14 hours. Consider that visa requirements may apply for certain transit points, particularly Addis Ababa if you wish to leave the airport.
How much does it cost to fly from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam?
Economy class flights from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam range from €340 to €560 depending on season and carrier. The cheapest period is April-May during Tanzania’s long rains, with fares starting around €340 for connecting flights. Direct flights on Turkish Airlines start at approximately €480. Peak season (July-August) sees prices climb to €540-560 for economy. Business class on Turkish Airlines runs €1,800-2,400, while Qatar Airways business via Doha can reach €2,600. Budget approximately €380-420 for a good-value connecting flight in shoulder season (March or November).
Are there direct flights from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam?
Yes, Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Dar es Salaam (DAR) with Boeing 737-900 aircraft. The service runs 4 times weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday depending on season). Flight duration is 7 hours 30 minutes. There are no other airlines offering direct service on this route. If you prefer a direct flight, expect to pay €150-200 more than connecting alternatives. Turkish Airlines codeshares with several carriers, and their Star Alliance membership means you can earn and redeem miles on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam?
April is the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam, with average economy fares of €340. May offers similarly low prices at €350. These months coincide with Tanzania’s long rainy season (March-May), which reduces safari tourism and pushes airline prices down. November (€370) also offers excellent value during the short rains period. The most expensive months are July (€540) and August (€560) during peak safari season when European travelers flock to Tanzania. Christmas/New Year period (December-January) sees high demand at €490-520. For balance of good weather and reasonable prices, consider March (€380) or November (€370).
Which airlines fly from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam?
Turkish Airlines offers the only direct service (7h 30m, approximately €520). Connecting options include Qatar Airways via Doha (10h 15m, around €450), Emirates via Dubai (11-12h, €480), Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (12-14h, €380, typically cheapest), and Kenya Airways via Nairobi (12-14h, €420). Ethiopian Airlines usually offers the lowest connecting fares at €340-380. All major carriers include 23kg checked baggage in economy. Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways provide the best overall experience with modern aircraft and extensive networks. Ethiopian is best for budget travelers who don’t mind longer layovers.
What airport do I fly into in Dar es Salaam?
You will arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), located approximately 12 kilometers south of Dar es Salaam’s city center. The airport has one modern terminal handling international arrivals. Taxis to the city center cost approximately TZS 30,000-50,000 (€12-20) and take 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. Airport shuttles are available for around €8-10. For Zanzibar-bound travelers, ferries depart from downtown Dar es Salaam – factor in an additional 1-2 hours and €30-40 for ferry crossing. Several international car rental agencies operate at DAR, though driving in Dar es Salaam is challenging due to traffic and road conditions.
How far in advance should I book Istanbul to Dar es Salaam flights?
Book Istanbul to Dar es Salaam flights 6-8 weeks in advance for optimal pricing. This window typically offers the best balance between availability and discounted fares. During peak season (July-August), consider booking 10-12 weeks ahead as flights fill quickly and prices rise. For the cheapest months (April-May), 4-6 weeks is sufficient as demand is lower. Last-minute deals are rare on this route due to consistent demand from business travelers and safari operators. If your travel dates are flexible, set price alerts 3 months before your target departure and book when fares drop below your target of €380-420 for connecting flights.
Is it cheaper to fly from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is significantly cheaper on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save €30-55 compared to weekend flights. Thursday offers moderate savings of €20-30. Saturday departures are the most expensive, followed by Sunday. The cheapest day to fly is Tuesday, with Wednesday as a close second. This pattern holds for both connecting and direct flights. If your schedule allows, avoid Friday and Sunday departures when business travelers and safari tourists drive up fares. Combining midweek travel with the shoulder season months (March-May or November) can reduce your ticket cost by €150-200 compared to peak season weekend travel.
Data updated: 2026-03
