Transport in Tanzania

Tanzania's transport system covers Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, which have partly separate institutions and procedures. More than 90% of passenger travel and more than 80% of freight use roads. On Tanzania Mainland, TANROADS manages national roads and TARURA manages local roads. The 2024 survey of the Mainland trunk and regional network recorded 33,930.74 kilometres: 36% in good condition, 53% in fair condition and 11% in poor condition, while 3,294.98 kilometres had not been surveyed. In Zanzibar, ZANROADS manages more than 1,200 kilometres across Unguja and Pemba. Shared road transport is the main way to travel within towns and between nearby communities. Daladala are shared minibuses. Boda boda are motorcycle taxis, and bajaji are three-wheeled taxis. Dar es Salaam combines these services with DART, the city's bus rapid transit system, which has feeder services and trunk services. DART feeder fares are 500 TZS, trunk fares are 1,000 TZS and the Mloganzila feeder fare is 700 TZS; the stated student fare is 200 TZS where the eligibility rules are met. Secondary cities rely mainly on daladala, boda boda, bajaji and walking. LATRA announced new or improved daladala services in 2026, so current service information should be checked before travelling. Intercity buses provide broad national coverage. Approved ordinary-bus fare caps are 48.47 TZS per kilometre on paved roads and 53.32 TZS per kilometre on unpaved roads; the semi-luxury cap is 67.84 TZS per kilometre on paved roads. Actual fares, schedules and service conditions can change. Passengers can use Safari Tiketi for bus and train bookings where the service is available. An intercity passenger whose bus is delayed by more than one hour can generally request a full refund unless they accept an alternative service. If a breakdown lasts more than two hours, the company should provide alternative transport or refund the unused distance; a passenger who voluntarily waits can also receive food and accommodation under the applicable rules. Intercity passengers generally have free carriage for up to 20 kilograms of luggage within the prescribed size limits, and mobility devices are carried free of charge. Complaints can be submitted to LATRA or through e-Mrejesho. Rail travel includes the Tanzania Railways Corporation SGR, or standard gauge railway, operating passenger services between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma since 2024. The MGR, or metre gauge railway, continues to provide wider and regional coverage. SGR economy fares depend on distance and the current official fare table. Children aged 4 to 12 generally pay half fare on SGR services, while children under 4 generally travel free. Zanzibar has no evidenced direct passenger-rail equivalent; road services, ferries and flights provide the functional alternatives. Ferries connect lake, coastal and river communities and can carry both passengers and vehicles. TEMESA has stated that it manages 32 ferries across 12 regions and 22 crossings. Travel between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, and travel between Zanzibar's islands, follows separate maritime arrangements, so schedules and fares need direct verification. Domestic air travel is useful for long distances, island connections and safari access. The Tanzania Airports Authority manages 59 government airports and airstrips, while the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority regulates aviation. At Julius Nyerere International Airport, the stated check-in reference is two hours before a domestic flight with baggage, one hour without baggage, three hours before an international flight with baggage, two hours without baggage, or one hour when checking in online. Private vehicles require a valid driving entitlement and vehicle documents. Commercial passenger and goods vehicles require additional licensing through LATRA on Tanzania Mainland. Tanzania Police provide a digital Road Traffic Offence Check for registration, licence and fine checks. Zanzibar uses separate arrangements involving ZARTSA, including ZIMS services for driving licences, foreign permits, service applications, vehicle inspection and driver or conductor badges. Road users drive on the left. The general built-up-area speed reference is 50 kilometres per hour, while heavy vehicles and buses generally use an 80-kilometre-per-hour reference outside urban areas unless signs or local limits provide otherwise. Motorcycle occupants are subject to helmet requirements. The Tanzania Police Force Traffic Division enforces road safety rules. Walking is widespread for daily access and for connections to bus stops, stations and other services. Cycling is mainly personal, informal or utility-based, with no evidenced nationwide formal cycling network. Infrastructure is fragmented, although projects in Dodoma add walking and cycling facilities. People walking or cycling should assess traffic exposure, lighting, sidewalks and crossing conditions. Transport also creates congestion, fuel use, emissions, litter and pressure on roadside facilities. LATRA promotes cleaner energy in BRT, bajaji and commercial vehicles, together with emissions inspections, vehicle tracking and electronic ticketing. SGR is marketed as an energy-efficient form of long-distance travel.