Last reviewed: 21 October 2026 against the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), the UK FCDO’s Zimbabwe travel advice, and airline and route announcements. Airlines add and drop routes often, so check your airline’s own schedule before you book.
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 south of Harare city center IATA Code: HRE Type: Primary international gatewayTerminal Overview
The airport has separate international and domestic terminals, and runs 24 hours a day. Check which terminal your flight uses, especially for domestic flights.Airlines at Harare (2026)
- Air Zimbabwe: domestic flights, regional routes, and direct London Gatwick flights operated for Air Zimbabwe by Spanish airline Plus Ultra
- Fastjet: domestic flights to Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, and regional flights including Johannesburg
- Airlink: Johannesburg
- South African Airways: Johannesburg
- Emirates: Dubai, stopping in Lusaka (Zambia) on the way
- Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa
- Kenya Airways: Nairobi
- Others listed by ACZ: Air Tanzania and Air Botswana
Arrivals
Ground Floor
- Immigration counters (visa-on-arrival available)
- Baggage claim
- 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
- Paid entry may be possible; ask at the lounge
- WiFi: Free airport Wi-Fi
- Charging stations: Limited - located near departure gates
- Meeting point: Arrivals hall has small seating area
- Printing/copying: Not readily available - use hotel business centers
- Banks and bureaux de change in the terminal
- Change money only at banks or licensed bureaux de change. Changing money anywhere else is illegal
- USD to local currency (ZiG) exchanges available
- ATMs accept international Visa/Mastercard (have backup cash)
Getting To/From Harare Airport
Taxis & Private Transfers
Taxis & Private Transfers
Airport Taxis:
- Taxis wait outside arrivals
- Agree the fare before you get in, and pay in US dollars
- Ask your hotel what the fare to your area should be
- Journey time: 25-40 minutes (depending on traffic)
- Most hotels offer airport pickup (arrange in advance). Taxis recommended by hotels are usually reliable, and major hotels often have their own
- Pre-booking recommended for reliability, especially for late arrivals
- Keep bags and phones out of sight in the car. Smash-and-grab theft at traffic lights happens on the airport road. See our travel advice
Car Rental
Car Rental
On-site Rental Companies:
- International and local car hire firms have desks at the airport. See ACZ’s car rentals list
- 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:
- Several hotels near the airport and in the southern suburbs cater for early and late flights. Ask about shuttles when you book
- Free airport shuttles
- Early check-in/late checkout for flight schedules
- Day rooms for layovers
Harare Airport Tips
Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)
Location: 21km south-east of Victoria Falls town IATA Code: VFA Type: Modern international airport (upgraded 2016)Terminal Overview
Modern international and domestic terminal buildings, linked together, with combined capacity for 1.5 million passengers a year.Airlines at Victoria Falls (2026)
- Airlink: Johannesburg, and Mbombela (Kruger)
- Fastjet: Harare, Bulawayo and Johannesburg
- Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa
- FlyNamibia: Windhoek
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
Business Lounge
- Location: Airside, departure area
- Access: check with your airline or lounge membership provider
- Amenities: WiFi, snacks, beverages, comfortable seating
- 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
- Agree the fare before you get in, and pay in US dollars
- Journey time: 20-25 minutes
- Activity operators often include airport pickup
- Confirm when booking activities
Car Rental
Car Rental
On-site Rental:
- Car hire desks in the 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:
- Harare (domestic)
- Victoria Falls (domestic)
- Johannesburg (main international link)
- Airlines: Fastjet (domestic) and Airlink (Johannesburg); check which airlines currently fly your route
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, and agree the fare first
- 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:
Frequencies change by season. Check the airline’s schedule before you book.Connection Tips:
- 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:Direct from London (LGW):
- Air Zimbabwe flies London Gatwick to Harare. The flights are operated by Spanish airline Plus Ultra on Air Zimbabwe’s behalf
- Most common international connection
- Daily flights to Harare and Victoria Falls, and flights to Bulawayo
- Airlines: Airlink, Fastjet, and others; check current schedules
- Allow 2+ hours for international connections
- Ethiopian Airlines hub
- Good connections from Europe, Asia, Americas
- Flights to Harare and Victoria Falls
- Kenya Airways connections to Harare
- Links to East Africa and beyond
- Emirates flies Dubai to Harare, stopping in Lusaka
- Good for Middle East, Asia, Australasia travelers
Airport Quick Reference
Contact Numbers
Airports Company of Zimbabwe (all three airports)
Airport Services Comparison
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 (see visas and entry for 2026 fees)
- 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
Sources
- Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) — Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, accessed 21 October 2026
- Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) — Victoria Falls International Airport, accessed 21 October 2026
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — Zimbabwe travel advice: Safety and security (direct London–Harare flights, taxis), updated 15 July 2026, accessed 21 October 2026
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — Zimbabwe travel advice: Entry requirements (KAZA UniVisa, customs, cash limits), updated 15 July 2026, accessed 21 October 2026
- Fastjet — Flights to Bulawayo, accessed 21 October 2026
- Airline Geeks — Fastjet Zimbabwe expands reach with Bulawayo–Victoria Falls route, dated 26 July 2025
- Travel Daily News — Airlink adds Mbombela–Victoria Falls flights, accessed 21 October 2026
- South African Airways — Flights to Harare, accessed 21 October 2026
- Airlink — Our network (Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls), accessed 21 October 2026
- Emirates — Flights from Lusaka to Harare, accessed 21 October 2026
- AllAfrica — FlyNamibia and Fastjet announce new regional link via Victoria Falls, dated 4 November 2025
- NetOne Cellular — Tourist SIM Card, accessed 21 October 2026