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Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station (Tanzania)

Weather…

The Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station is the coastal terminus of the historic Central Line and stands as a significant monument to Tanzania's railway engineering heritage. Designed by German engineers, the station was built between 1905 and 1914 to connect the Indian Ocean port with Lake Tanganyika in the far west. The station's architecture reflects the German colonial style of the era, featuring robust stone masonry and functional, arched entryways. Even today, the station remains a critical hub for passenger and freight traffic heading towards Kigoma and Mwanza. In recent years, the site has undergone massive modernization with the introduction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which aims to link Tanzania with neighboring Rwanda and Burundi. Despite the new infrastructure, the original colonial-era station building is preserved as a historical landmark, symbolizing the beginning of Dar es Salaam's industrial growth and its enduring role as a regional transport gateway.

Location: Tanzania
Top sights: City Hall [9] · Matasalmat Mansions [41] · Mwanza house [39]
Nearby: Dar es Salaam (9 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	28	28	28	27	26	25	25	25	26	27	27	28
Rain mm	90	80	155	258	151	24	12	14	24	68	128	127

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station is a historic colonial building and open to the public. You can view the facade and platforms, the interior is partially accessible.

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Typical hours

Typically the station is open 24 hours as it is operational. However, ticket counters and waiting rooms have fixed hours, usually from 6 AM to 10 PM.

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Photography

Photography is allowed in the public areas of the station. For security reasons, security personnel may restrict photography.

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Time needed

A visit to the station building takes about 20 to 30 minutes. If you intend to catch a train, allow extra time.

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Combine with

Combine the station visit with the nearby Kivukoni Fish Market or the National Museum. The Azania Front Lutheran Church is also nearby.

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Getting there

The station is in central Dar es Salaam, reachable by bus or taxi. Many downtown hotels are within walking distance.

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Insider tip

Visit the station in the late morning when the facade is best lit. Also check out the old trains on the tracks - a true colonial atmosphere.

Geography

Coordinates

-6.81900, 39.28700

Facts

Construction of the station began in 1905 during the German colonial period.
The line connects Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, covering a distance of 1,255 km.
The building is a well-preserved example of German colonial architecture.
The facility is managed by the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC).
A new modern SGR station was recently built adjacent to the historic site.
The Central Line was historically essential for transporting inland resources to the coast.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Azania Front Lutheran Church<1 km · NEExplore →

Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium2 km · SWExplore →

Nyerere Bridge3 km · WExplore →

ALAF Steel Factory Dar es Salaam5 km · SWExplore →

Makumbusho Village Museum6 km · SEExplore →

Ubungo Power Plant8 km · SExplore →

Bongoyo Island15 km · EExplore →

Twiga Cement Factory Dar es Salaam19 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station (3)

City Hall [9]🌿 nature

A viewpoint offering sights of the historic municipal headquarters in Dar es Salaam's central railway station district.

Matasalmat Mansions [41]🌿 nature

A distinct architectural viewpoint capturing the multi-story residential designs in the central railway station area of Dar es Salaam.

Mwanza house [39]🌿 nature

A notable building viewpoint located in the bustling commercial heart near Dar es Salaam's central railway station.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the station?

Yes, the building is historically very impressive and publicly accessible.

Is it a hub?

It is a central station for trains into the interior.

When is the best time to visit?

Morning is lively but less chaotic than peak hours.

Is there Wi-Fi there?

Probably not, don't rely on it.

Is it safe?

Like any large station: beware of pickpockets.

Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station: where is it located?

Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station is located in Tanzania.

Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station: what is there to see?

Highlights include City Hall [9], Matasalmat Mansions [41], Mwanza house [39].

Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station: why is it worth visiting?

The Dar es Salaam Central Railway Station is the coastal terminus of the historic Central Line and stands as a significant monument to Tanzania's railway engineering heritage.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →