Getting Around Moshi

Getting Around Moshi

Moshi is a compact city at the foot of Kilimanjaro, and getting around it is refreshingly simple. There is no metro, tram, or light-rail system to navigate, and for most of what a visitor wants to do in the city itself, you can simply walk. For longer hops, to the surrounding villages, or to trailheads, you have a choice of taxis, minibus "daladalas," motorcycle taxis, and private hires.

Walking

Within Moshi, walking is really all you need. The city is small enough that the main streets, markets, and guesthouses are comfortably reachable on foot, and you won't need to arrange transport for ordinary daytime errands or meals.

One important caveat: it is strongly advised not to walk around at night, for your own safety. Plan your day so you're back at your accommodation before dark, or arrange a taxi for evening trips.

Buses and Public Transport

Moshi has no conventional city bus network or metro. Instead, local public transport is provided by daladalas — 16-seater minibuses that in practice carry far more people, along with children and sometimes livestock.

• Where they go: Daladalas run both within Moshi and out to surrounding villages, including Machame and Marangu.
• How to catch one: Listen for the conductor shouting the destination as the vehicle drives past, and feel free to shout your own destination back at him. Some daladalas display stickers in the front window stating where they go.
• Cost: Very cheap — local transport generally runs from TSh 500 to TSh 3000, typically less than a dollar for a short hop.
• Safety: Check that the vehicle is in a reasonable state of repair and that the driver is sober before you get in. It's also not recommended to travel by daladala up muddy tracks after very heavy rain.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxis are plentiful in Moshi and are the easiest step up from walking.

• Negotiate first: Always agree on a price before getting into the car. Most fares within the city shouldn't cost more than a couple of dollars.
• Keep a number: It's a good idea to save the mobile phone number of a driver you trust, so you have someone to call in an emergency or for an early-morning departure.
• Road conditions: As with daladalas, avoid travelling by taxi up muddy tracks if it has been raining very hard.

Motorcycle taxis, known as boda bodas, are numerous but are the most dangerous way to travel. Drivers are legally required to provide a helmet — make sure the strap actually works. Some drivers are reckless, and there have been reports of drivers taking passengers to remote areas to rob or assault them, so exercise real caution.

Hiring Your Own Vehicle

If you want more independence — for example, for day trips toward Kilimanjaro — you can hire a vehicle with a driver or self-drive:

• Land Cruiser with driver: around TSh 100,000 per day.
• Motorcycle: around TSh 35,000 per day, or less if you rent for a week or more.

Trains

Moshi has a railway station, and passenger trains do connect the city with other parts of Tanzania, but rail is not a practical way to get around town — it's a long-distance option only.

• From Dar es Salaam: Twice-weekly passenger trains began running in late 2019. They are faster and more comfortable than buses, but delays and cancellations have plagued the Tanzanian rail network for years, so always check at the railway station whether the train is actually running.
• From Arusha: Passenger trains run several times a week, covering the roughly 86 km by rail in about two hours.

Getting In from the Airport

Most tourists arrive by air, and the main gateway is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about 30 minutes from Moshi. Taxis and buses are available from the airport. An approximate taxi cost is TSh 60,000, though this depends heavily on your bargaining skills. Flights arrive from a range of non-domestic destinations, including daily direct flights from Amsterdam and direct flights from Doha, Qatar.

Two alternative airports are worth considering if you're watching your budget:

• Dar es Salaam (DAR): A little farther from Moshi than Kilimanjaro Airport, but almost certainly cheaper to fly into. From Dar you'll need to catch a bus to Moshi, which takes roughly 7 hours.
• Nairobi, Kenya (NBO): Significantly less expensive than Kilimanjaro, but you'll need a Kenyan transit visa (available on arrival) and then an 8-hour bus ride to Moshi, costing about US$20 one way.

Arriving by Long-Distance Bus

Buses reach Moshi from all of Tanzania's main cities and are the cheapest way to travel long distances. Note that entry to Tanzania requires a visa, which you can arrange in your home country through an embassy or consulate, or on arrival at the airport or a border crossing.

• From Dar es Salaam: Dar Express and Kilimanjaro bus lines run to Moshi (and beyond) for around TSh 20,000 one way, taking roughly 8 hours.
• To Morogoro: Hood and Abood serve this route for around TSh 13,000.
• Other destinations: Buses also connect Moshi with Arusha, Mwanza, Tanga, Mbeya, Dodoma, and Nairobi.
• Bargaining: All prices are worth bargaining for — locals typically pay far less.

The bus station is extremely chaotic, but you can turn that to your advantage: many drivers compete for your fare, which gives you room to negotiate.

A serious safety warning: don't over-economise on bus travel. Cheaper companies often have poor safety standards, and you don't want to risk a drunk driver. This is worth taking very seriously when choosing an operator.