Getting Around Dodoma
Dodoma is Tanzania's official capital and a government administrative centre, but it remains a relatively low-key city that was planned at a human scale, meant to be experienced on foot. For a visitor, that means getting around is generally straightforward: the city has an easy mix of minibuses, taxis and ride-hailing, and the main sights and services are spread across a compact urban core.
By Minibus (Dala Dala)
The workhorse of local transport in Dodoma is the minibus, known locally as a dala dala. They are numerous and getting around by them is easy, which makes them a practical option for short hops across town.
- City bus station: located at a place called Jamatini, serving local routes.
- Medium-distance stand: at Saba Saba bus stand, for places such as Mpwapwa and Mvumi.
- Long-distance stand: near the Parliament buildings, for longer journeys out of the city.
- Some companies, such as Scandinavia, maintain their own separate bus stands.
By Train
Dodoma sits on Tanzania's central railway, which dates back to the colonial era, and rail is a genuine option for reaching the city as well as for longer trips.
- High-speed trains: Dodoma is linked with Dar es Salaam by high-speed services running a few times per day. Express trains are quicker, while ordinary trains take about an hour longer.
- Classic MGR trains: slower conventional trains also call at Dodoma on their way between Dar es Salaam and eastern Tanzanian cities such as Kigoma, Mpanda, Mwanza and Tabora. These depart two or three times per week in each direction and are often the better choice for long distances, especially during the rainy season.
- Stations: the high-speed railway station lies north of the city centre along the A104 road, while the older Dodoma railway station is right in the city centre.
Note that there is no metro or tram network in Dodoma; rail here means the national railway services described above.
By Taxi and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful in Dodoma and are an easy fallback for trips where a minibus is inconvenient. Ride-hailing is also available: Bolt (formerly Taxify) operates in the city, which gives visitors a convenient app-based alternative to flagging a taxi on the street.
On Foot and by Bike
Dodoma was designed as a garden-city-style capital, built at a human scale and intended to be experienced on foot, with green belts separating residential and industrial zones. Walking is therefore a realistic way to cover parts of the centre.
Cycling is another option. Several places in town sell or rent bikes, with rentals typically charged by the day.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Dodoma Airport is the city's air gateway. Commercial flights connect Dodoma with Dar es Salaam, operated by the national carrier Air Tanzania, by Precision Air, and — at a higher price — by Auric Air. Flights can book up quickly, so it is advisable to buy tickets online in advance.
Beyond scheduled commercial service, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) operates small planes throughout the country, including a regular shuttle between Dodoma and Arusha every Monday and regular flights to Nairobi and Mbeya. It is sometimes possible to join other flights; details are available through their website and Joiner List.
Once you land, the same local options covered above — taxis, ride-hailing and minibuses — are how you continue into the city centre.
Arriving from Elsewhere in Tanzania
- From Dar es Salaam by bus: many daily services run, with a driving time of roughly 7–8 hours including a stop in Morogoro. Shabiby buses leave from Ubungo and use luxury vehicles; around 11AM, air-conditioned buses with more legroom depart from both Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
- From Arusha by bus: services run via Kondoa to the north on a paved road, with a travel time of around 8 hours.
- From Mwanza by bus: buses take around 8 hours along a good new road.
- From Iringa by bus: travel time is about 6 hours on a winding gravel road of varying quality; the route passes right over the Mtera Dam, which is worth a look.
All long-distance buses arrive at the main stand near the Parliament buildings, from where you can pick up local transport into the rest of the city.