Nairobi, Kenya → Dar es Salaam, Tanzania · ✈ 1h 20min · 🚗 10h 49min
360 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: southeast
The distance from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam 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 Nairobi, Kenya to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 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.
Dar es Salaam is located southeast of Nairobi. Nairobi is in Africa, in the Nairobi region of Kenya, while Dar es Salaam is in Africa, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 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 Nairobi to Dar es Salaam. 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 Nairobi to Dar es Salaam 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.
Nairobi sits at 1.2921°S, 36.8219°E, while Dar es Salaam is located at 6.7924°S, 39.2083°E. The initial compass bearing from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam is 157° (SSE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Nairobi heading roughly SSE. 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 Nairobi and Dar es Salaam 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.
Dar es Salaam is roughly 1 hour ahead of Nairobi. When it is 09:00 in Nairobi, it is approximately 10:00 in Dar es Salaam. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Nairobi is a major city in Kenya with a population of approximately 4,734,000. Located in the Nairobi region, it is an important hub in Africa. Nairobi is a significant metropolitan area in Kenya with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Nairobi
Dar es Salaam is a notable city in Tanzania with a population of approximately 4,364,541. Situated in the Dar es Salaam region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Dar es Salaam offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Tanzania.
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 Nairobi-Dar es Salaam route is about 1.7% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 20min.
The straight-line distance from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam 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.
Dar es Salaam is approximately +1h ahead compared to Nairobi.
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.