Train travel in Tanzania is possible on some routes. Railway network in Tanzania consists two separate networks with a total length of more than 3.600 kilometers. The first one is operated by government-owned Tanzania Railway Company (TRC) in the Central and Northern parts of Tanzania with railway links to Kenya and Uganda. Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) operated the line from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia.
Construction of the standard-gauge railway line from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and Makutupora is underway. Section from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro has been completed in April 2022. The line will be extended to Kigali, Rwanda.
Last updated: 24.03.2024
Train travel in Tanzania – TRC
Tanzania Railways Corporation (TZR or TRC) is a state-owned company established in 1977. It serves the Central Line and several smaller lines with a 1000 mm gauge. In 2012, it transported 505,233 passengers. According to the website, Tanzania Railways Corporation trains operate on the following routes:
Dar es Salaam – Kigoma (once a week Deluxe Train, 2x a week Ordinary Train)
Tabora – Mpanda (three times a week)
In early June 2023 the first 30 Ex-German double-deck coaches arrived by ship to Tanzania. The coaches will be used by TRC electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro. Tanzania Railway Limited also obtained former Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) multi-system class 1014 electric locomotives, new coaches from Korea. The electrified line is designed for a maximum speed of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains.
Tanzania Railways Corporation – official website
Trains in Tanzania – TAZARA
TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority) primarily operates freight trains, but the carrier also launches trains between Tanzania and Zambia.
Most famous and most popular is an express train from Dar Es Salaam to the Zambian Kapiri Mposhi station. A Mukuba Express train run once a week from Kapiri Mposhi to the capital of Tanzania, and from Dar Es Salaam to Zambia. The journey between cities takes 46 hours. The distance between the cities is 1,852 kilometers. A train leaving on Friday arrives at its destination only on Sunday.
The Mukuba Express train is comprised of new Chinese passenger carriages. The available classes are a couchette car with 6-person compartments, a couchette car with 4-person compartments, a 2nd class couchette car, a 3rd class couchette car, a baggage car and a dining car.
There is also a ordinary train service between Dar Es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi. It leaves every Tuesday from Dar Es Salaam and every Friday from Kapiri Mposhi. The journey takes approximately 60 hours as the train stops at every railway station in Tanzania and Zambia. The train is composed of carriages of the same classes as the Mukuba Express, but these are old type wagons.
TAZARA runs also commuter trains in Dar Es Salaam and charter trains for tourists.
TAZARA – official website
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