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Flights from UK to Tanzania: Direct Routes, Airlines & Cheapest Months
If you’ve already spent an hour on Skyscanner trying to figure out whether there’s a direct flight to Zanzibar or Tanzania, you’re not alone, and you’ve probably noticed the answers online don’t all agree. Some sites say yes, some say no, and the prices seem to change every time you refresh the page. So here’s the real picture on flights from UK to Tanzania, based on what’s actually flying right now, written by people who book this route for a living.
Is There a Direct Flight from London to Zanzibar or Tanzania?
Let’s settle this one first, since it’s the most searched question and the one that trips people up the most.
No, there are currently no scheduled non-stop flights from London to Tanzania, whether you’re heading to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, or Kilimanjaro. So if you’re asking, “Can you fly direct from London to Zanzibar?” the honest answer right now is no. Every route involves at least one stop, usually at a major hub like Amsterdam, Doha International Airport, Istanbul Airport, Dubai International Airport, Addis Ababa, or Nairobi International Airport.
The good news is that one-stop flights to Tanzania don’t have to mean a long, painful journey. Many connections are well-timed, and total travel time typically runs between 11 and 16 hours depending on the layover, so even if you ask how long the flight from the UK to Tanzania is, the answer is usually a single travel day rather than an ordeal.
Which Airlines Fly from the UK to Tanzania?
Several major international carriers serve Tanzania from UK airports, mostly London Heathrow, with some options from Manchester, London Gatwick, and London City. Here’s a quick comparison before we go into more detail.
| Airline | Connects Via | UK Departure Airports | Tanzania Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLM | Amsterdam | Heathrow, Manchester | Zanzibar (ZNZ), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO) |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | Heathrow, Gatwick | Zanzibar (ZNZ), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO) |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | Heathrow | Zanzibar (ZNZ), Kilimanjaro (JRO) |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | Heathrow | Zanzibar (ZNZ), Dar es Salaam (DAR) |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | Heathrow | Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO) |
| Emirates | Dubai | Heathrow | Zanzibar (ZNZ), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO) |
| RwandAir | Kigali | Heathrow | Dar es Salaam (DAR) |
KLM flights to Tanzania run from London Heathrow and Manchester to Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar, connecting through Amsterdam. If you’re looking for London to Kilimanjaro flights or Manchester to Tanzania flights, this is one of the more consistent options, with good baggage allowances and frequent departures.
Ethiopian Airlines’ London to Tanzania routes via Addis Ababa offer some of the most competitively priced fares on this route, connecting from both Heathrow and Gatwick to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro. This is a strong option if you’re searching for London to Dar es Salaam flights on a budget.
Kenya Airways London to Zanzibar flights run from London Heathrow via Nairobi to Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. They’re known for decent in-flight service, including a hot meal and welcome drink, and reasonably comfortable Dreamliner seating.
Qatar Airways to Tanzania connects through Doha to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume Airport and is a solid pick if you want a more premium experience with a longer but comfortable layover.
Turkish Airlines to Tanzania routes through Istanbul, offering connections to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro, and is often praised for its generous baggage policy and in-flight catering.
Emirates flights to Tanzania go via Dubai, giving you access to one of the world’s biggest hub airports along the way, with onward connections into all three of Tanzania’s main airports.
RwandAir London to Dar es Salaam offers a route via Kigali from London Heathrow, which can sometimes work out as a good value option if timed right.
Which Airline Should You Choose?
If comfort and baggage allowance matter most to you, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways tend to score well with travellers. If price is your priority, Ethiopian Airlines is consistently one of the cheaper options on this route. And if you want the journey that feels the most direct, with a single well-connected stop, KLM via Amsterdam is hard to beat.
Do British Airways Fly to Tanzania or Zanzibar?
This one comes up constantly, so here’s the honest answer: British Airways does not currently operate its own direct or codeshare flights to Tanzania, whether that’s British Airways to Zanzibar or British Airways flights to Dar es Salaam.
You’ll sometimes see “BA flights to Tanzania” listed on booking sites like Expedia, Kayak, or Travelocity, but in most cases these are itineraries where BA covers only the UK domestic or European leg, with the long-haul portion operated by a partner airline. If you’re set on flying BA for part of your journey, check the full itinerary carefully before booking, since the connection details can vary a lot.
For a smoother experience, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways are generally your best bet for getting into Tanzania from the UK.
Which International Airlines Fly to Tanzania Overall?
Beyond the UK routes, Tanzania is well connected globally. International airlines to Tanzania serving the country’s main airports, Julius Nyerere International (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International Airport, and Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume Airport, include KLM, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, and Etihad Airways.
Worth noting for summer travelers: Etihad Airways has announced it’s bringing back seasonal flights between Abu Dhabi and Zanzibar, running four times a week from June through early September 2026. That’s good news if you’re flying from the UK with a stopover in Abu Dhabi, as it adds another Tanzania flight connection option during peak season.
On the ground, regional and domestic carriers like Air Tanzania, Precision Air, and Coastal Aviation handle internal hops, which is handy if your trip involves moving between Zanzibar, Arusha, and the northern safari circuit, especially useful for Tanzania safari flights once you’ve landed.
What's the Cheapest Month to Fly to Tanzania from the UK?
If budget is a big factor, timing your trip makes a real difference, sometimes saving you £150 to £400 on the same route.
The cheapest months to fly tend to fall during Tanzania’s long rainy season, roughly March to May, with April often cited as the lowest point for fares. June is also frequently flagged as good value for cheap flights to Zanzibar specifically, since it sits just after the rains but before the European summer holiday rush pushes flight prices to Tanzania up.
If you’re flexible, flying midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) rather than at weekends can also shave a bit off the cost, and booking a few months ahead rather than last-minute generally pays off for this route.
Just bear in mind that cheaper months come with a trade-off: more rain, particularly in March and April. If you’re combining a safari with a Zanzibar beach stay, it’s worth weighing up whether the savings are worth the higher chance of wet weather affecting your plans.
Tips for Booking Your Flight to Tanzania
A few practical things that can save you money and hassle:
Book your long-haul ticket and any internal Tanzania flights (like Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar) separately if you’re combining a safari with a beach stay. Domestic carriers like Air Tanzania often have better availability and prices when booked directly rather than bundled.
Check which airport you’re flying into carefully. Flights to Zanzibar Airport, flights to Kilimanjaro Airport, and flights to Dar es Salaam Airport are all served by different international routes, and choosing the wrong one for your itinerary can mean an extra costly internal flight.
If you’re booking flights for a Kilimanjaro climb, flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) directly puts you closest to Arusha and Moshi, where most climbs start. This also makes it easier to find the best airline for a Tanzania safari that includes a climbing add-on.
For Zanzibar-only trips, look at fares into ZNZ directly rather than routing through Dar es Salaam first, as the extra hop adds time and cost.
Set up price alerts a few months out. Fares on this route can swing by £100 to £200 depending on demand, especially around UK school holidays.
Always check the latest visa requirements on the official Tanzania immigration website before booking, as entry rules can change.
FAQ with quick answers to answer your queries
Total journey time is usually 11 to 16 hours including a layover, depending on the connection and destination airport.
You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and most UK travelers require a Tanzania visa, which can usually be arranged online in advance or on arrival.
Yes. Several airlines, including KLM and Kenya Airways, fly directly into Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport from London with one connection, without needing a separate domestic hop.
Prices are often similar, but Dar es Salaam tends to have slightly more route options and occasional lower fares, while Kilimanjaro is more convenient if your trip is focused on the northern safari circuit or climbing.
Quick Recap
There’s no direct flight from London to Tanzania yet, but you’ve got plenty of solid one-stop options through KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and RwandAir. British Airways isn’t currently a direct player on this route, despite what some booking sites suggest. And if you’re watching your budget, aim for April through June for the best combination of price and timing.
Planning Your Trip to Tanzania?
Getting the flights sorted is just the first step. Already decided on your route? Check out our detailed guides to climbing Kilimanjaro via Machame or Marangu, or browse our Zanzibar beach holiday recommendations. And if you’d like help putting together a full Tanzania itinerary, whether that’s a Kilimanjaro climb, a Serengeti safari, or a relaxing stretch on the beach, get in touch with our team and we’ll help you plan a trip that fits your time and budget.
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