How to go to Tanzania from Kenya?

The journey between Kenya and Tanzania is one of the most popular and convenient for both locals and international travelers since the two nations share their borders and at the same time their cultures. Wherever you are touring the breathtaking sceneries associated with Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park or the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, there are some viable ways of traveling amongst the neighbors of the east African region. Here is a detailed guide to going to Tanzania from Kenya

Travel Options: Road, Air, and Rail

By Road (Bus or Car)

Road travel is one of the most popular and cheap modes of travelling between Kenya and Tanzania. There are a number of international bus services which run everyday between the main cities like Nairobi, Arusha, Moshi or Dar es Salaam.

• Famous bus companies: Modern Coast, Riverside Shuttle, and Impala Shuttle provide good quality.
• Time: Nairobi to Arusha is approximately 5-6 hours, but the time taken by Nairobi to Dar es Salaam is also dependent on the condition of roads with a normal time being 13-15 hours
• Border crossing: Namanga (between Nairobi and Arusha) and TavetaHolili (between Voi and Moshi), are the most frequently used border posts.

Alternatively, you can drive a private or rental vehicle. Ensure the vehicle has the necessary documents, including a valid driving license, insurance (COMESA Yellow Card), and car ownership papers.

By Air

To save time and travel more comfortably, you can fly directly from Nairobi to major cities in Tanzania

• Airlines: Kenya Airways, Precision Air and Air Tanzania have direct flights.
• Flight time: The flight time to both Julius Nyerer‌e Internat‌ional Airp‌ort (Dar es Salaam) and Kilimanj‌aro Intern‌ation‌al Airport (JRO‌) is appro‌ximat‌ely one hour. Kilimanj‌aro Airpor‌t is situa‌ted approx‌imate‌ly 45 kilo‌meter‌s northeas‌t of Arush‌a and 50 kilome‌ters east of Moshi, thus provi‌ding a convenie‌nt entry point for travel‌ers visiti‌ng Mount Kiliman‌jaro or the northern safa‌ri circuit‌.
• Cost: The prices are variable and may be from 150 to 300 dollars one-way ticket depending on the season and the time you book.

Flying is especially recommended if you are traveling to Zanzibar or have limited time to cover the long distances

By Rail

While there is no direct international train yet, the Nairobi–Voi–Taveta segment and the Tanzanian SGR developments toward Arusha may soon offer more integrated rail options. Nevertheless, rail networks in both destinations are becoming better and tourists who are interested in scenic or overland travel can organize inter-modal travel including frequent use of trains and buses.

Entry Requirements for Kenyan Citizens Traveling to Tanzania

1. Visa Requirements

• Visa-free: People with a Kenyan passport do not require a visa to enter Tanzania.
• Length of Stay: 90 days can be granted at a single visit whether as a tourist, on business or to visit relatives.
• Extensions: In case of necessity, extensions can be carried at Tanzania Immigration Office before the granted visa-free period of stay ends.

Required Travel Documents

To enter Tanzania from Kenya, you must carry the following:

• Valid Passport: It has to be valid at least in 6 months
• National ID (Huduma Namba): Not accepted for international travel — you must have a passport
• Return/Onward Ticket : Recommended, especially when entering by air
• Accommodation Details: Recommended to show booking confirmations
• Travel Purpose: May be asked to declare at immigration

Health and Vaccination Requirements

Where Can Kenyans Enter Tanzania?

You can enter Tanzania via:

• Land borders:
  • Namanga (to Arusha)
  • Taveta/Holili (to Moshi/Kilimanjaro)
  • Lunga Lunga/Horohoro (to Tanga)
  • Isibania/Sirari (to Tarime/Mwanza region)
• Airports:
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)
  • Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)
• Sea ports (from ferries if traveling via Mombasa or Zanzibar)

Additional Notes

• Driving across the border: Kenyan motor‌ists cross‌ing into Tanzan‌ia with a priva‌te vehicle must poss‌ess a vali‌d driver'‌s license, the vehic‌le'‌s regis‌trati‌on documen‌t (proof of ownershi‌p), and COMESA insuranc‌e (Yellow Card)‌. Further‌more, a Tempora‌ry Import Permi‌t (TIP) is requ‌ired and must be obtained from the Tanza‌nian Reven‌ue Authori‌ty (TRA) or the relevant immi‌grati‌on office at the border crossi‌ng. It is high‌ly advised to pre-co‌nfirm the speci‌fic TIP require‌ments and to ensure all docume‌nts are correct‌ly prepare‌d to preve‌nt delays or penal‌ties at the border.
• Currency: t is recommended to exchange some Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) either before your trip or upon arrival. Kenyan Shillings (KES) can have the acceptance close to the border, but not unduly in the rest of the places.

Going to Tanzania from Kenya is not a difficult route with several options available to suit your budget and timeline. When you are traveling through Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti or the Zanzibar, the experience begins with a well arranged border crossing or flight. Choose the travel option that best suits your schedule and sense of adventure

Related Articles

• How to get to Mt Kilimanjaro from Nairobi?
• How many days do you need in Ngorongoro Crater?
• What are the big 5 in Tanzania?
• How to travel to Zanzibar from South Africa?
• How many airports are there in Zanzibar?
• Does Arusha have an international airport?
• What is the richest city in Tanzania?

View more