In this article, we provide you with all of the information on how to get to Kilimanjaro for your trek. We will cover the airlines that fly to JRO and the best options when flying from different parts of the world. We will also touch on the processes and requirements for tourists on arrival, plus provide some tips for budget travellers.
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the main airport serving Mt Kilimanjaro. It is approximately 50 kilometres east of Moshi, the town you will stay in before and after your trek.
Whilst you can fly into other local airports, such as Arusha, we highly recommend you use JRO as it is a larger and better-serviced airport.
Airlines that fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Several international airlines operate flights to JRO, including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways and KLM. Several regional airlines fly to JRO from local hubs, including Air Tanzania and Precision Air.
The choice of airline will depend on where you are flying from, plus your budget, flexibility with travel time and the number of stops on route.
Direct Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport
The two major international hubs that fly directly to JRO are:
- Doha with Qatar Airlines
- Amsterdam with KLM
If you live in either Qatar or the Netherlands, then you can fly directly to JRO. For everyone else, you’ll need to fly indirectly via these hubs or airports in Africa.
Indirect Flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Several airports fly to JRO from both Tanzania and neighbouring country airports. These include:
- Dar Es Salam (Tanzania with Precision Air)
- Nairobi (Kenya with Kenya Airways)
- Addis Ababa (Ethiopia with Ethiopian Airlines)
By using one of the above, Doha or Amsterdam, then you can fly to JRO from anywhere in the world with only one or two stopovers.
Flights from the United States & Canada
You can not fly directly from the US or Canada to JRO.
To reduce the number of stopovers, you should aim to fly directly to one of the major airports that connect to JRO. For instance, flying to Amsterdam, Doha, Nairobi or Addis Ababa will mean you only need one stopover.
Flights from the United Kingdom and Europe
Amsterdam is the only airport that flies directly to JRO from Europe. No airport in the UK flies directly to JRO.
For trekkers not coming from the Netherlands or coming from the UK, they should aim to fly directly to Amsterdam, Nairobi or Addis Ababa. The connection time is short, meaning you can usually fly to JRO from anywhere in Europe in under 12 hours.
Flights from the United Arab Emirates
You can’t fly directly from the UAE to JRO.
However, from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you can get to JRO with only one stopover. You have two options to do this:
- Via Addis Ababa using Ethiopian Airlines
- Via Doha using Qatar Airlines
Usually, Ethiopian Airlines is the quickest, cheapest and has the most convenient arrival in departure times.
Procedures on Arrival
On arrival at JRO, all tourists will be required to present a valid passport and visa. Visitors are also required to fill out an immigration card and go through immigration and customs checks.
Most foreign nationals, including citizens of the USA, UK, Europe and India are required to have a valid visa to enter Tanzania. Most visitors can obtain a visa on arrival at JRO however we highly recommend applying for an e-visa in advance via this link: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
Tips for Budget Travelers
For budget-conscious travellers, the best way to find cost-effective flights to JRO is to search for flights well in advance and compare prices from different airlines and travel agencies.
Another option is to look for stopover flights that have a layover in Nairobi or Addis Ababa, as these are often cheaper than direct flights.
Summary
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is well-connected to major cities worldwide and offers a variety of routes and airline options. With proper planning and research, it is possible to find affordable flights. Be sure to check the latest visa and vaccination requirements, so you have a stress-free experience once you are there.
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