How to Get to Mount Kilimanjaro
Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro is straightforward, with several international and regional travel options available. Below is a complete guide to help you plan your journey smoothly and arrive ready for your Kilimanjaro climbing adventure with Tanzania Hiking.
Flying into Tanzania for Mount Kilimanjaro
We strongly recommend flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the closest airport to Mount Kilimanjaro. JRO is conveniently located between Moshi Town and Arusha City, making it the most efficient entry point for climbers.
Why Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)?
- Closest airport to Mount Kilimanjaro
- Easy transfers to Moshi or Arusha
- Serves major international airlines
From Kilimanjaro International Airport to Your Hotel
Most climbers choose to stay in Moshi Town, as it is the nearest town to Mount Kilimanjaro and the starting point for all our climbs. We recommend arriving at least one day before your climb to rest and attend the pre-climb briefing.
- JRO to Moshi Town: approx. 40.7 km | 45–50 minutes by road
- JRO to Arusha City: approx. 86 km | 1.5–2 hours by road
Some climbers prefer to stay in Arusha, which is slightly farther from the mountain but offers a wider range of accommodation options.
Tanzania Hiking can arrange airport transfers from JRO to your hotel as part of your climb package.
Your Kilimanjaro climb begins at a designated route gate, depending on the route you choose (Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Rongai, etc.). On climb day, our team will pick you up directly from your hotel and transfer you to the appropriate starting gate.
- Moshi Town to Kilimanjaro gates: approx. 31.7 km | 50–60 minutes
- Arusha City to Kilimanjaro gates: approx. 86.2 km | 1 hour 45 minutes
Alternative Airports Near Kilimanjaro
If you cannot fly directly into JRO, you can still reach Mount Kilimanjaro via the following airports:
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) – Dar es Salaam
- Tanzania’s main international airport
- Approx. 541 km to Moshi
- 8–9 hours by road or 1-hour domestic flight
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) – Nairobi, Kenya
- Popular option due to competitive international flight prices
- Approx. 329 km to Moshi
- 6–7 hours by road or a short regional flight
Recommended International Airlines to Kilimanjaro (JRO)
The following airlines operate direct or one-stop flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport:
- KLM – Direct from Amsterdam
- Condor – Direct from Frankfurt
- Turkish Airlines – Direct from Istanbul
- Qatar Airways – Via Doha
- Ethiopian Airlines – Via Addis Ababa
- Kenya Airways – From Nairobi
- Precision Air – From Nairobi
- RwandAir – From Kigali
Flights from the UK and USA commonly transit through Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul, or Addis Ababa before landing at JRO.
Getting to Kilimanjaro from Nairobi, Kenya
Many climbers fly into Nairobi due to lower airfare costs and then continue to Tanzania.
From Nairobi to Moshi:
Option 1: Fly
- Short regional flight from JKIA to JRO
- Airlines include Precision Air, Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airlines, and Air Kenya
Option 2: Travel by Road
- Shuttle buses available daily
- Private transfers available through Tanzania Hiking
We can arrange private pickups from Nairobi directly to Moshi for your Kilimanjaro climb.
Getting to Kilimanjaro from Dar es Salaam
International airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). From DAR, you can:
- Take a domestic flight to JRO or Arusha
- Travel by road (long but scenic option)
Getting to Kilimanjaro from Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a popular post-climb relaxation destination and pairs perfectly with a Kilimanjaro trek.
You can fly from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) to JRO or Arusha using domestic carriers such as:
- Precision Air
- Coastal Aviation
- Auric Air
- Air Excel
We also offer combined Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar packages for climbers who want to unwind after their summit success.
Domestic Flights Within Tanzania
Several local airlines operate domestic flights and charter services across Tanzania, including:
- Precision Air
- Air Tanzania
- Coastal Aviation
- Auric Air
- Flightlink
- Regional Air
- ZanAir
- Air Excel
Shuttle and Bus Transfers (Nairobi ↔ Moshi / Arusha)
Shuttle services operate daily between Nairobi, Moshi, and Arusha. Tanzania Hiking can also arrange hotel pickups for added convenience.
Sample Bus Schedule (Subject to Change)
- Nairobi → Arusha: 08:00 – 14:00 / 14:00 – 18:30
- Nairobi → Moshi: 08:00 – 15:30
- Moshi → Nairobi: 06:00 – 14:00 / 10:30 – 18:30
- Arusha → Nairobi: 08:00 – 14:00 / 14:00 – 18:30
Private Transfers
For maximum comfort and flexibility, we offer private transfers to and from:
- Moshi
- Arusha
- Nairobi
- Dar es Salaam
- Mombasa
Available at an additional cost.
Frequently Asked Question: How Do I Get to Kilimanjaro?
All Tanzania Hiking climbs begin in Moshi Town, the closest town to Mount Kilimanjaro. The easiest way to reach Moshi is by flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
If direct flights to JRO are unavailable, you can fly into Nairobi or Dar es Salaam and continue to Moshi by air or road. We recommend arriving in Moshi at least one day before your climb to allow time for rest and preparation.
Ready to Plan Your Kilimanjaro Adventure?
Email: info@tanzaniahiking.com
WhatsApp: +255 752 213 715 / +255 754 557 877
Contact us to arrange airport transfers and plan your climb with Tanzania Hiking.
