Dar es Salaam, Tanzania → Nairobi, Kenya · ✈ 1h 20min · 🚗 10h 49min
360 nautical miles · Time difference: -1h behind · Direction: northwest
The distance from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi is 666 km (414 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 1h 20min.
The straight-line distance from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Nairobi, Kenya is approximately 666 kilometers (414 miles or 360 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Nairobi is located northwest of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam is in Africa, in the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania, while Nairobi is in Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 666 km | ~1h 20min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~866 km | ~10h 49min | Feasible with breaks |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~799 km | ~6h 40min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi. For 666 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 866 km, fuel costs for driving from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi are approximately $69–$130 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Dar es Salaam sits at 6.7924°S, 39.2083°E, while Nairobi is located at 1.2921°S, 36.8219°E. The initial compass bearing from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi is 337° (NNW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Dar es Salaam heading roughly NNW. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 5.50° and the longitude difference is 2.39°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Dar es Salaam and Nairobi is approximately 4.0431°S, 38.0110°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 333 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Nairobi is roughly 1 hour behind Dar es Salaam. When it is 09:00 in Dar es Salaam, it is approximately 08:00 in Nairobi. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Dar es Salaam is a major city in Tanzania with a population of approximately 4,364,541. Located in the Dar es Salaam region, it is an important hub in Africa. Dar es Salaam is a significant metropolitan area in Tanzania with good domestic and international transport connections.
Nairobi is a notable city in Kenya with a population of approximately 4,734,000. Situated in the Nairobi region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Nairobi offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Kenya.
→ See all distances from Nairobi
666 km is a medium-distance route, similar to traveling across a mid-sized European country. A flight covers this distance quickly, but driving or rail travel remains feasible for those who prefer ground transport. For reference, New York to Chicago is about 1,150 km.
At 666 km, the Dar es Salaam-Nairobi route is about 1.7% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 20min.
The straight-line distance from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi is approximately 666 kilometers (414 miles, 360 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 20min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 10h 49min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Nairobi is approximately -1h behind compared to Dar es Salaam.
The estimated road distance is approximately 866 km, which is about 30% longer than the 666 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.