Airport Guide
Zimbabwe has three international airports serving different regions of the country. This guide covers everything you need to know for smooth arrivals and departures.Harare (HRE)
Main international gateway with most connections
Victoria Falls (VFA)
Modern airport serving the tourism hub
Bulawayo (BUQ)
Secondary hub serving western Zimbabwe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE)
Location: 15km southeast of Harare city center IATA Code: HRE Type: Primary international gatewayTerminal Overview
The airport has a single terminal building handling both domestic and international flights.Arrivals
Ground Floor
- Immigration counters (visa-on-arrival available)
- Baggage claim (2 carousels)
- Customs inspection
- Currency exchange bureaus
- ATMs (Visa/Mastercard)
- Arrivals hall with hotel desks
- Taxi and transfer pickup area
Departures
First Floor
- Check-in counters (opens 3 hours before flights)
- Immigration and security screening
- Departure lounge with shops
- Food court and restaurants
- Duty-free shopping
- Business lounge access
Business Traveler Facilities
Premier Lounge (Departures)
- Location: Airside, past security
- Access: Business/First class tickets, Priority Pass, lounge memberships
- Amenities: WiFi, refreshments, newspapers, quiet work area, power outlets
- Hours: Opens 2 hours before first departure
- Day pass: ~$35-45 USD (subject to availability)
- WiFi: Available throughout terminal (free 30 minutes, paid packages available)
- Charging stations: Limited - located near departure gates
- Meeting point: Arrivals hall has small seating area
- Printing/copying: Not readily available - use hotel business centers
- Multiple bureaux de change in arrivals and departures
- Rates are typically less favorable than city banks
- USD to local currency exchanges available
- ATMs accept international Visa/Mastercard (have backup cash)
Getting To/From Harare Airport
Taxis & Private Transfers
Taxis & Private Transfers
Airport Taxis:
- Official taxi rank outside arrivals
- Negotiate fare before departure
- Typical fare to city center: $25-35 USD
- Journey time: 25-40 minutes (depending on traffic)
- Most hotels offer airport pickup (arrange in advance)
- Executive transfers: $40-60 USD
- Pre-booking recommended for reliability
- Vaya Africa operates at the airport
- Requires local mobile data/WiFi
- Generally cheaper than airport taxis
Car Rental
Car Rental
On-site Rental Companies:
- Avis (Terminal building)
- Europcar (Terminal building)
- Budget (Terminal building)
- Several local operators
- Pre-book for best rates and availability
- Collect/return at terminal
- International driving permit recommended
- Rental costs: $50-120/day depending on vehicle
Airport Hotels
Airport Hotels
Nearby Accommodation:
- Express by Holiday Inn - Adjacent to airport, business-friendly
- Cresta Oasis - 10 minutes from airport
- N1 Hotel Airport - Budget-friendly option nearby
- Free airport shuttles
- Early check-in/late checkout for flight schedules
- Day rooms for layovers
Harare Airport Tips
Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)
Location: 20km south of Victoria Falls town IATA Code: VFA Type: Modern international airport (upgraded 2016)Terminal Overview
Modern terminal opened in 2016 with capacity for 1.5 million passengers annually.Arrivals
Facilities:
- Modern immigration hall
- Visa-on-arrival counter
- Baggage claim area
- Currency exchange
- ATM machines
- Tour operator desks
- Hotel booking assistance
- Taxi and transfer area
Departures
Facilities:
- Spacious check-in hall
- Efficient security screening
- Modern departure lounge
- Duty-free shopping
- Restaurant and cafes
- Craft market (airside)
- Business lounge
Business Traveler Facilities
Shongwe Lookout Lounge
- Location: Airside, departure area
- Access: Business class, airline partners, Priority Pass, paid entry
- Amenities: WiFi, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating
- Views: Overlooks runway and bush
- Day pass: ~$30-40 USD
- WiFi: Free throughout terminal
- Charging stations: Multiple locations in departure lounge
- The terminal is modern with good facilities for working
- Limited printing services - use hotel business centers
- Terminal is compact and easy to navigate
- Shops close when no departures scheduled
- Card payments widely accepted
Getting To/From Victoria Falls Airport
Transfers & Taxis
Transfers & Taxis
Airport Transfers:
- Most Victoria Falls hotels include airport transfers
- Confirm with your accommodation when booking
- Shared shuttles available for budget travelers
- Available outside arrivals
- Fixed rate to Victoria Falls town: $25-35 USD
- Journey time: 20-25 minutes
- Negotiate fare before departure
- Activity operators often include airport pickup
- Confirm when booking activities
Car Rental
Car Rental
On-site Rental:
- Avis, Budget, Europcar have desks in terminal
- Limited selection - book in advance
- Not essential if staying in Victoria Falls town (walkable)
- Visiting Hwange National Park independently
- Self-drive safari plans
- Day trips to Botswana/Zambia borders
Victoria Falls Airport Tips
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ)
Location: 22km north of Bulawayo city center IATA Code: BUQ Type: Secondary international airportTerminal Overview
Smaller airport primarily serving regional flights and limited international connections.Facilities
Terminal Services:
- Combined arrivals/departures
- Immigration counters
- Small baggage claim area
- Basic refreshment facilities
- Currency exchange (limited hours)
- ATM machine
Connections
Flight Routes:
- Johannesburg (main international link)
- Harare (domestic)
- Limited charter flights
- Airlines: Airlink, Fastjet
Business Traveler Facilities
Limited Business Services:
- WiFi: Available but can be slow
- No dedicated business lounge
- Basic seating areas for working
- Power outlets limited
- Bulawayo is mainly for industrial/mining business
- Most business travel to Bulawayo transits via Harare or Johannesburg
- Consider driving from Harare (5-6 hours) if schedules don’t align
- Hotel business centers in Bulawayo well-equipped
Getting To/From Bulawayo Airport
Transfer Options:
- Hotel transfers: Most Bulawayo hotels offer pickup (arrange in advance)
- Taxis: Available but limited - pre-arrange for reliability
- Typical fare to city center: $20-30 USD
- Journey time: 25-35 minutes
- Limited on-site options
- Better to arrange through Bulawayo city agencies
- Useful for visiting Matobo Hills
Connecting Flights & Layovers
Domestic Connections
Common Domestic Routes:
Connection Tips:
| Route | Duration | Airlines | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harare - Victoria Falls | 1hr 30min | Fastjet, Air Zimbabwe | Daily |
| Harare - Bulawayo | 1hr | Fastjet, Air Zimbabwe | Daily |
| Victoria Falls - Bulawayo | 45min | Charter only | On request |
| Harare - Kariba | 1hr | Charter | On request |
- Allow minimum 2 hours between domestic connections
- Reconfirm domestic flights 24-48 hours before
- Domestic luggage limits often stricter (15-20kg)
- Keep valuables in carry-on for domestic transfers
International Connections
Major Hub Connections:Via Johannesburg (OR Tambo - JNB):
- Most common international connection
- Multiple daily flights to Harare and Victoria Falls
- Airlines: South African Airways, Airlink, British Airways (Comair)
- Allow 2+ hours for international connections
- Ethiopian Airlines hub
- Good connections from Europe, Asia, Americas
- Direct flights to Harare and Victoria Falls
- Kenya Airways connections
- Links to East Africa and beyond
- Flights to Harare and Victoria Falls
- Emirates connection via Harare
- Good for Middle East, Asia, Australasia travelers
Airport Quick Reference
Contact Numbers
Harare Airport (HRE)
- General: +263 242 575 111
- Information: +263 242 575 060
- General: +263 283 2844 336
- General: +263 292 226 491
Airport Services Comparison
| Service | Harare (HRE) | Victoria Falls (VFA) | Bulawayo (BUQ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Lounge | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free WiFi | Limited | Yes | Limited |
| Currency Exchange | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| ATMs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Duty Free | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Car Rental | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Hotel Desks | Yes | Yes | No |
| Restaurants | Yes | Yes | Basic |
Tips for All Zimbabwe Airports
General Advice:
- Arrive 3 hours early for international flights (2.5 hours Victoria Falls)
- Have visa fees in exact USD cash ($30-55 depending on nationality)
- Keep immigration form copies - may be checked on departure
- Photography inside terminals generally prohibited
- Dress code: No specific requirements but smart casual recommended for lounge access
- Power sockets: UK-style 3-pin plugs
- Mobile SIM cards available in arrivals halls
- Business lounges offer quiet work space but facilities are basic
- Download documents before arrival - WiFi can be slow
- Have a backup plan for ground transfers
- Keep emergency contacts and hotel address written down
- Business cards still commonly exchanged in Zimbabwe
Last updated: January 2025