Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

Common Complaints

• Limited Facilities and Amenities in Older Terminals: Beyond Terminal 3, the overall terminal facilities and comfort remain limited, with weak shopping and dining choices. Terminal 2, used for domestic flights, is specifically highlighted as needing a complete overhaul.
• Onerous and Slow Immigration/Customs: The immigration process is frequently described as onerous, slow, and disorganized, with reports of long queues, unclear procedures, and instances of multiple lines for visa processing.
• Poor Inter-Terminal Connections and Baggage Handling: Connections between terminals can be challenging, sometimes requiring travelers to walk outside to transfer. There are also reports of issues with baggage transfer for connecting flights, with luggage sometimes needing to be re-checked.
• Subpar Wi-Fi and Lounge Quality: Wi-Fi is generally considered unreliable or slow, and some lounges are rated as "not really good," although an updated CIP Lounge in Terminal 3 is an improvement.
• Inconsistent Staff Professionalism and Potential for Harassment: Some reviews mention rude, unhelpful, or even corrupt staff, particularly customs officers, with isolated reports of requests for bribes.
• Lack of Air Conditioning and Congestion: Older terminal areas can suffer from a lack of adequate air conditioning in the hot climate and may experience congestion.

Julius Nyerere International Airport continues its journey of modernization, with Terminal 3 setting a positive tone for international travelers. However, inconsistent service quality, particularly concerning immigration efficiency and the state of older terminals, suggests travelers should plan for potential delays and manage expectations when passing through.