Cheap Flights Guide from France to Tanzania

Cheap Flights Guide from France to Tanzania
Travelling to Tanzania from France can be expensive, but by following certain tips and knowing the best airlines, it is possible to find tickets at more affordable prices. This detailed guide will help you understand the best times to book, the stopovers to prioritise, as well as the different flight options to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha. You will also discover the recommended airlines, the departure airports in France and alternatives for reducing the cost of your journey even further.
Which are the best airlines for travelling to Tanzania?
Qatar Airways: comfort and good fares with a stopover
Qatar Airways is one of the best options for travelling to Tanzania with a stopover. The airline offers excellent value for money, combining premium comfort with competitive fares. Thanks to a stopover in Doha, travellers have the opportunity to enjoy the many services of Hamad International Airport, renowned for its luxury and modernity.

On board, Qatar Airways offers comfortable seats, a wide choice of entertainment and excellent service quality, making the journey more enjoyable, even in economy class. In addition, the generous baggage allowance means you can take everything you need for a safari or trek without any unexpected extra charges.
To make the most of your budget, it is recommended to book your tickets several months in advance and to remain flexible with your dates. Flights with a stopover in Doha are often more affordable than direct flights, with incomparable travel quality. If you prioritise comfort without blowing your budget, Qatar Airways is an excellent alternative for reaching Tanzania.
Turkish Airlines: a cost-effective option for flights to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
Turkish Airlines is an attractive alternative for reaching Tanzania at a competitive price while enjoying remarkable comfort. Its main strength lies in its affordable fares combined with quality service, making it an ideal option for travellers looking for a good balance between cost and flying experience.

With a single stopover in Istanbul, the airline offers a smooth connection to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Istanbul Airport, one of the most modern in the world, allows passengers to relax in comfortable lounges and enjoy a wide range of services before their onward flight. On board, Turkish Airlines provides quality meals, a varied entertainment system and generous baggage allowance.
In budget terms, Turkish Airlines is one of the most economical options depending on booking periods. To get the best prices, it is recommended to compare offers several months in advance and opt for flexible dates. By flying with this airline, it becomes possible to reach Tanzania’s gateways easily without blowing the travel budget.
Ethiopian Airlines: a stopover in Addis Ababa for a competitive price
Ethiopian Airlines is a preferred option for travellers seeking an economical flight to Tanzania without sacrificing comfort. With a stopover in Addis Ababa, this airline offers attractive fares to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha. One of the main advantages of this stopover is the smoothness of the connections, reducing waiting time while offering a glimpse of the bustle of the Ethiopian capital.

On board, Ethiopian Airlines provides passengers with comfortable seats, quality meals and a full entertainment system, making the journey enjoyable even on long-haul flights. In addition, the generous baggage allowance allows travellers to take their safari or trek equipment without extra charges.
To get the best fares, it is advisable to book several months in advance and be flexible with departure dates. By choosing Ethiopian Airlines, it is possible to reach Tanzania at a lower cost while enjoying reliable and efficient service.
Emirates: a pleasant flight with a stopover in Dubai
Emirates is a preferred airline for travelling to Tanzania while enjoying a comfortable and well-organised journey. With a stopover in Dubai, travellers can discover one of the world’s most modern and luxurious hubs, offering a pleasant transit experience thanks to its many services.

On board, Emirates guarantees an excellent level of comfort with spacious seats, a wide range of entertainment and quality catering. The generous baggage allowance makes it easy to bring everything you need for a safari or a trek. In addition, the onboard service is renowned for its professionalism and attention to detail, making the journey more pleasant, even in economy class.
In terms of flexibility, Emirates offers many daily flights to Tanzania, making it easier to plan your trip. Dubai International Airport also offers options for a short city visit in the event of a longer stopover. To secure attractive fares, it is advisable to book in advance and keep an eye on the airline’s regular promotions.
If you are looking for a flight combining comfort, quality of service and a pleasant stopover, Emirates is an excellent alternative for reaching Tanzania with complete peace of mind.
List of the main airlines offering flights to Tanzania
- Qatar Airways : Known for its excellent in-flight service and comfortable stopover in Doha, this airline offers frequent flights to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro.
- Turkish Airlines : With a single stopover in Istanbul, it offers fares that are often competitive while still ensuring a good level of comfort.
- Ethiopian Airlines : Very popular for its attractive prices and quick connection via Addis Ababa, it serves several Tanzanian cities, including Arusha and Zanzibar.
- Emirates : With its hub in Dubai, this airline ensures a pleasant flight thanks to a premium service and flexible schedules.
- Kenya Airways : An interesting option for travellers wishing to transit via Nairobi before continuing to Tanzania.
- KLM : Offering connections via Amsterdam, KLM is a reliable and comfortable alternative for reaching Tanzania from Europe.
The most common routes for arriving in Tanzania
Flights to Dar es Salaam: the country’s main gateway
Dar es Salaam is the main gateway to Tanzania for travellers arriving by air. This international airport, one of the busiest in the country, is an essential hub linking the major European and Middle Eastern cities with the natural wonders of Tanzania. It is particularly popular for adventure travel and itineraries combining safaris with beach stays, offering numerous connections to Arusha, Zanzibar and Serengeti National Park.
On landing in Dar es Salaam, travellers have various options for continuing their journey into the interior of the country: domestic flights to the nature reserves, overland transport to the main sites, or ferry departures to Zanzibar. In addition, the city itself has a few surprises in store with its vibrant atmosphere, spice market and beaches along the Indian Ocean. To make your Tanzania itinerary a success, passing through Dar es Salaam is often the essential first step in an unforgettable adventure.
Flights to Zanzibar: reaching the paradise island while avoiding high costs
Getting to Zanzibar without breaking the bank is perfectly possible by adopting a few smart strategies. First of all, it is advisable to choose a flight with a layover, which is often much cheaper than a direct flight. Airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines or Qatar Airways offer competitive fares with a brief stop in hubs such as Addis Ababa, Istanbul or Doha. Next, booking your ticket several months in advance and avoiding peak seasons, especially Christmas and summer holidays, makes it possible to benefit from more affordable prices. Another tip is to compare flights to Dar es Salaam, where fares can be lower, then take a domestic flight or a ferry to reach Zanzibar at lower cost. Finally, keeping an eye on promotions and using price alert tools are effective ways to find discounted tickets. By following these tips, it is entirely possible to discover the spice island without blowing your travel budget.
Flights to Arusha: the ideal starting point for a safari in Tanzania
Located at the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha is the ideal starting point for exploring Tanzania’s most beautiful national parks. This strategic airport provides direct access to the iconic Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, thereby reducing travel time before plunging into the heart of African wildlife. By landing in Arusha, travellers can quickly begin their safari adventure without enduring long transfers from Dar es Salaam. In addition, several airlines offer flights to Arusha Airport with a single stop, making the journey easier. For those wishing to combine their safari with a trek to Kilimanjaro or a beach extension in Zanzibar, Arusha is an excellent connecting point thanks to the many domestic flights available. Choosing this route allows you to immerse yourself quickly in the splendour of Tanzania’s landscapes and maximise your time there.
The best stopovers according to your budget and final destination
Choosing the best stopover depends both on your budget and your final destination in Tanzania. For trips to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, stopovers in Doha with Qatar Airways, Istanbul with Turkish Airlines or Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines are among the most economical. These hubs offer frequent flights and often help reduce costs. For travellers heading to Arusha, a stopover in Nairobi with Kenya Airways can be advantageous, offering a quick connection to the north of the country, ideal for safaris. Travellers who value comfort may prefer Emirates via Dubai, despite slightly higher fares, because of the superior in-flight experience and the high-end transit airport. To secure the best price, it is advisable to compare routes and adjust your stopover according to the season and the length of the journey. Each option offers its advantages, combining cost, comfort and accessibility to the treasures of Tanzania.
Comparison of departure airports in France for a flight to Tanzania
Paris Charles de Gaulle: the essential airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the reference airport for a flight to Tanzania. Thanks to its wide selection of international flights and the presence of major airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and Turkish Airlines, it offers optimal connectivity to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha. By choosing to depart from CDG, travellers benefit not only from a greater choice of schedules and routes, but also from better opportunities in terms of promotions and discounted fares.
In addition to an extensive air network, the airport offers numerous services to make travel easier, including private lounges, relaxation areas and a variety of dining options. Its accessibility is also a major advantage, with connections by train, bus and taxi, guaranteeing a smooth departure, whatever your point of origin in France.
To find the best price, it is advisable to book several months in advance and remain flexible on dates. Comparing the different options via CDG often makes it possible to obtain more advantageous fares than flights departing from regional airports. In short, flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle is a wise choice for anyone wishing to reach Tanzania quickly and comfortably.
Alternatives from Lyon, Marseille and Nice
For travellers wishing to depart from Lyon, Marseille or Nice, several options exist for reaching Tanzania while optimising journey time and budget. Although these airports generally do not offer direct flights to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Arusha, well-planned connections can make the journey smoother.
- From Lyon (LYS): Airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates offer flights with a stopover in Istanbul, Doha or Dubai. This option makes it possible to benefit from competitive fares while enjoying good onboard comfort.
- From Marseille (MRS): Flights to Tanzania often go via Paris, Amsterdam or Istanbul. Air France and KLM provide convenient connections with just one stopover, while Turkish Airlines remains an economical alternative with a single stop in Istanbul.
- From Nice (NCE): Nice benefits from good connections with flights operated by Emirates via Dubai and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. This option guarantees a smooth transition and appreciable comfort, although the journey time may be slightly longer.
To optimise their budget, it is often wise to consider a flight departing from these cities to Paris or a European hub such as Amsterdam before continuing on to Tanzania. Comparing prices several months in advance and remaining flexible with dates makes it possible to secure more advantageous fares.
List of French airports offering flights to Tanzania
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) : The main airport with the widest choice of connections to Tanzania. Airlines such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines offer flights with one stopover to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha.
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS) : Flights with a stopover via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways) or Amsterdam (KLM) make it possible to reach Tanzania at competitive prices.
- Marseille Provence (MRS) : Mainly served by Air France and KLM via Paris and Amsterdam, with options via Istanbul thanks to Turkish Airlines.
- Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE) : Flights are available via Dubai (Emirates) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), ensuring optimum comfort with a single stopover.
- Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) : Limited options but it is possible to reach Tanzania via Paris (Air France) or via Amsterdam (KLM), with a second stopover in Addis Ababa or Nairobi.
To get the best fare, it is advisable to compare prices several months in advance and to review the various airlines. Stopovers in Doha, Istanbul and Amsterdam are among the most common and advantageous for reaching Tanzania from France.
Average flight time to Tanzania
The flight time to reach Tanzania from France varies depending on the departure city, the airline and the number of stopovers. On average, a flight with one stopover takes between 13 and 18 hours, while journeys with several stops can extend to more than 20 hours. Here is an estimate of the durations for the main destinations:
| Departure city | Final destination | Average duration with one stopover |
| Paris (CDG) | Dar es Salaam (DAR) | 13h – 15h |
| Paris (CDG) | Zanzibar (ZNZ) | 14h – 16h |
| Paris (CDG) | Arusha (ARK) | 14h – 17h |
| Lyon (LYS) | Dar es Salaam (DAR) | 14h – 17h |
| Marseille (MRS) | Zanzibar (ZNZ) | 15h – 18h |
The most common stopovers are in international hubs such as Doha (Qatar Airways), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). To optimise journey time, it is recommended to choose a short, well-connected stopover.
Finally, the choice of airline and the flexibility of dates can influence the total flight duration. By booking in advance, it is possible to find faster and more comfortable routes while keeping within your budget.


