travelgirlaz

I am going to Tanzania-Arusha to volunteer in September. I am having truoble finding reputable airlines that fly there. I am a woman travelling solo so I want to feel safe on whatever airline I fly. I thought about british airways but in light of their recent policy changes on seats, I am not so sure. Can anyone make any suggestions? Also what about currency? how will I get that if I am not staying at a hotel but in a home in a village. Thank you for any advice you can provide!!

Leely

I don't understand your question. KLM flies into JRO. You don't consider KLM a reputable airline? KQ also flies there and they are really quite good.What's wrong with BA?

Get your money at an ATM; there's more than one in Arusha. Where are you staying? Do you need to have a ton of cash on you?

I'm sorry to throw back a lot of questions at you. I just don't fully understand what you're asking.

sandi

I second Leely. KLM flies direct to JRO. If not a direct flight then any number of carriers into Nairobi, right across the border from where you can fly to JRO. Arusha is 1/hr from the airport. There are banks, currency exchange bureaus and ATM machines. No body exchanges money at a hotel unless you're keen on getting a lousy exchange rates (sure in an emergency for cash to carry you till you find a bank).

What's the policy change on BA seats? Something we've missed?

Have you ever traveled outside the States? Europe? What did you do there for money? Arusha may be a small provincial town, but it's not the back of beyond (that's in Australia)... you'd be surprised at how many sophisticated people live here.

travelgirlaz

Thank you guys for the replies! Let me clarify. I was not aware of any reputable airlines flying there. I havent heard of or flown KLM before so I had no idea if they were reputable or not. British Airways has recently changed their policy on seat assigning and although that may not be a big deal to most, it is to me I have flown to europe often but I just wasnt sure. Since this is my first trip to Africa and I am going alone , I may be more naive then I would like when it comes to how to get there etc. So KLM flys into JRO? That sounds good..any other airlines?

travelgirlaz

By the way- thanks for the info regarding currency. If I can get it when I get there ,then i am not worried about it. Thanks again!

thit_cho

What is BA's new policy regarding seats? Thanks

travelgirlaz

There is a thread with a ton of info on it. But basically if you are flying in coach you cannot choose your seat until you check in online(24 hours ahead) or at the airport.

Patty

KLM is your only option from Europe into JRO (Kilimanjaro, Tanzania closest international airport to Arusha). NBO (Nairobi, Kenya) or DAR (Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania) have more carriers serving them, but then you'd need another internal flight to get to Arusha (or in the case of NBO you can also take a 5 hour shuttle). Fares to JRO are sometimes higher because there's less competition.

The KLM flight into JRO arrives in the evening, so you may want/need a hotel the first night.

If you fly into NBO, that opens up a lot more options (in addition to BA or KLM) like SWISS, SN Brussels, Emirates, Kenya Airways, etc. and you can connect on Precision Air to JRO (or shuttle as mentioned above).

sandi

I would suggest, you get tickets to September as soon as, especially, if wanting to fly KLM. September is high-season for travel in East Africa and with KLM being the only carrier from Europe, this flights books up rather fast. Fares from the East Coast in September can run anywhere from $1700-$2500, depending on airport of departure. From mid-west or west coast, expect fares increasing at minimum $300-$500. Check our www.kayak.com to search for flights and fare options from your city of departure. Kayak will do a search for all fares available from various carriers and list them, lowest price first. When you find something you want, the site will direct you to whomever is offering the fare. It maybe the air carrier, a discounter as Travelocity, Expedia, Orbits or a consolidator. It also works to call KLM directly if you don't see what you want.

Question? Are you volunteering for an organization? If so, have you checked whether they can obtain special fares? Many do. I'd ask.

ShayTay

Ethiopian Air also flies into JRO. They are one of the largest carriers in Africa, but I don't know how you'd feel about flying through Addis Ababa. I've read good reviews, and not so good reviews from travelers. The "not so good" was a gate agent in Addis who wouldn't let them board (waiting for a bribe, apparently.) They missed their flight and almost had it happen a second time, until they figured out what was going on.

samoyeds

I have just researched this info. You may find as I did that you can save alot of money on Virgin Air to Nairobi. Then take the shuttle from the Airport 8am or 12:00pm to Arusha for $20.00.(3 hour drive). The fare was 700.00 less.

sandi

There's no way you'll make the shuttle bus ride in 3/hrs. It's almost 3/hrs just to Namanga border, then a minimum 1/hr to Arusha. We departed on the 8am bus (ok, it didn't depart till 8:30am) and arrived Arusha sometime between 1:30-2pm. Fortunate in that we got through the border crossing without delay, unlike other who have reported delays sometimes up to 1/hr.

Patty

How could I have forgotten to mention Virgin? They start NBO service in June. I even had a friend who works for the airline tell me the other day that she and her husband were going to try to go to Kenya this year since they'll start flying there!

LoriS

SWISS also has flights into DAR from Zurich. I'm going in May and am flying from the US-Zurich-DAR. I found that to be the most direct route.

On BA, you can get preassigned seats if you have status on ONEWORLD.