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Tanzania flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide · Tanzania

Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in Tanzania

Public transit, airports, and getting around

Tanzania, with a population of 59.7 million, is undergoing a transport revolution as East Africa's rising hub. Key strengths include the expanding Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Dar es Salaam's modern BRT with CNG buses and electric EMU trains, and 2025 milestones like the 3km Kigongo-Busisi Bridge linking Lake Victoria regions to Rwanda and DRC, plus the Kwala Dry Port. Challenges persist in rural road quality and nationwide public transport coverage. Residents and visitors rely on buses, ferries to Zanzibar, 210 airports, and left-hand driving on 86,472 km roads, with urban improvements driving economic growth.
Public Transport
Moderate
Road Infrastructure
Moderate
Public Transport
6.2/10

Good urban systems in Dar es Salaam: Phase 2 BRT (20km expanded in 2025, CNG buses), commuter rail with electric EMU trains to Dodoma. Limited nationwide; regional buses and SGR emerging. Basic integration, reliable in cities.

Road Infrastructure
5.1/10

86,472 km network (12,786 km trunk, 21,105 km regional); ~15% paved. TANROADS maintains key routes, but rural gravel/earth roads common. 2025 bridges improve links; urban traffic management growing, safety features basic.

Internet Speed
4.2/10

Average broadband ~28 Mbps (2026 Speedtest data); mobile internet dominant at 25-35 Mbps. Urban 4G/fiber improving, wide rural-urban gap. Investments rising but limited fiber nationwide.

Avg: 28.4+ Mbps • Available in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma; expanding to regional centers, rare in rural areas

Airport Connectivity
6.8/10

210 airports total, 12 major (Julius Nyerere International busiest). Good domestic/regional links via Air Tanzania; moderate international routes to Europe, Middle East, Africa. Mafia Island upgraded.

Hubs: Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Zanzibar (ZNZ)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass
TSh 30,000-50,000/month (Dar BRT)
Bus Trip
TSh 700-1,500 single BRT ride
Taxi
TSh 10,000 start + TSh 1,500/km (Dar es Salaam)
High-speed Train
TSh 50,000-100,000 Dar-Dodoma SGR

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Launched 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Arusha; expanding to major cities 2025-2026 by Vodacom, Airtel
4G Coverage: 85-90% population coverage; strong urban, improving rural via towers

Reliable networks from Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo; high urban speeds (30+ Mbps), decent rural 4G. Growing 5G supports transport apps.

Driving License

IDP requiredConversion needed

Foreign licenses valid 90 days with IDP (required for non-English). Long-term residents must convert to Tanzanian license via driving test after 90 days. Drives on left.

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View all Tanzania Guides & Categories14 in-depth guides for expats & digital nomads