Think carefully about your budget and how much time you have to explore Tanzania before or after your climb. Don’t just go for the cheapest flight without checking for downsides like long waiting times between flights, extra visas, or additional travel needs.

Option 1: Flying to Kilimanjaro Airport

The easiest way is to take a direct flight to Kilimanjaro Airport, which is about 45 kilometers from towns like Moshi, Marangu, or Arusha. These towns are where most climbs begin or where your group tour might start. Some airlines that fly directly to Kilimanjaro Airport are:

• KLM

• Turkish Airlines

• Ethiopian Airlines

• Emirates

• Qatar Airways

Flight schedules can change, so check the airline websites or Kilimanjaro Airport’s site for the latest details.

Option 2: Flying to Julius Nyerere International Airport

If you don’t want to fly straight to Kilimanjaro Airport, another choice is Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. This is Tanzania’s main airport for local and international flights. From there, you can take a short flight to Kilimanjaro Airport with airlines like:

• Precision Air

• Fastjet

• Zanair

• Hahn Air

• RwandAir

• Kenya Airways

This airport is only 12 kilometers from Dar es Salaam’s city center. Some tours start from Dar es Salaam and travel by road to Moshi or Arusha. If you have extra time, you could relax on nearby beaches like Kipepeo, Coco, or Mbezi Beach before your hike—something you can’t do if you land at Kilimanjaro Airport.

Option 3: Flying to Nairobi Airport

A less common option is to fly into Nairobi Airport in Kenya and then take a quick one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. You could also travel by land from Nairobi to Arusha using a shuttle bus or private car, depending on your budget. Flights to Nairobi are often cheaper than direct flights to Kilimanjaro Airport, and it gives you a chance to see another area before your climb.

However, keep in mind that while flying to Nairobi might save money at first, you’ll need to budget for a Kenyan visa, local transport, and possibly a night’s stay in Nairobi before heading to Arusha to start your trek.