Airports · Zimbabwe · August 2026
Harare International Airport
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International (HRE / FVHA) — Live arrivals and departures for HRE, plus the practical guide: airlines, transport, visa-on-arrival, SIM cards. Harare International is Zimbabwe's primary international gateway.
IATA / ICAO
HRE / FVHA
Distance to CBD
15 km
Annual passengers
~3 million
Runways
1 (05/23)
Live arrivals & departures · HRE
Live data: Avionio · full board on FlightAware
01Overview
About HRE
Harare International — formally Robert Gabriel Mugabe International — sits 15 km southeast of central Harare and is the country's main international gateway. Renovated and expanded in 2017–2022 with a Chinese-funded $153m programme, the airport now has separate international and domestic terminals and handles roughly 3 million passengers a year. International long-haul service is concentrated between 23:00 and 04:00 — the major hub carriers (Emirates, Qatar, Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, SAA) all depart Harare for their hubs overnight to connect to morning departures in DXB, DOH, ADD, NBO and JNB.
02Airlines
Airlines & routes
| Airline | Code | Destination(s) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Zimbabwe (Plus Ultra) | UM | London | Nonstop A330, several weekly (since Jul 2026) |
| Emirates | EK | Dubai (DXB) | Daily, ~01:00 |
| Qatar Airways | QR | Doha (DOH) | Daily, ~02:00 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | ET | Addis Ababa (ADD) | Daily, ~03:00 |
| Kenya Airways | KQ | Nairobi (NBO) | Daily, ~14:00 |
| South African Airways | SA | Johannesburg (JNB) | 3-4x daily |
| Airlink | 4Z | Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) | Multiple daily |
| FastJet | FN | Johannesburg (JNB), Victoria Falls (VFA) | Daily |
| Air Zimbabwe | UM | Victoria Falls (VFA), Bulawayo (BUQ) | Limited |
| Mauritania Airlines | L6 | Lubumbashi via Lusaka | Schedule varies |
| Proflight Zambia | P0 | Lusaka (LUN) | Multiple weekly |
International departures cluster between 23:00 and 04:00 — most diaspora travellers arrive at the airport by 22:00.
03Transport
Getting to HRE
- Taxi from CBD — USD 25–40, ~25 minutes. Pre-book via your hotel for the better rate.
- Hotel shuttle — Most international hotels (Meikles, Rainbow Towers, Cresta Lodge) offer a USD 25–40 shuttle. Pre-book.
- Uber / Bolt — Available but limited driver coverage at the airport. Pricing comparable to taxi.
- Personal vehicle — USD 5/day in long-term car parking, USD 1/hour short-term.
- Public transport — Combi (minibus taxi) to Mbare market then onward to CBD. Not recommended for international arrivals with luggage.
04Practical
At the airport
- Currency. ATMs in the international arrivals hall dispense USD. Airport bureau de change typically gives a poor rate — use a city bureau or just an ATM.
- SIM card. Econet and NetOne kiosks in the arrivals hall sell prepaid SIM cards (USD 5–10 starter). Bring your passport for registration. A Zimbabwe eSIM purchased before flying avoids this queue entirely.
- Visa on arrival. UK, US, Australian, Canadian passport holders get visa on arrival for USD 55 cash (single entry) or USD 50 (KAZA UniVisa). South Africans visa-free 90 days. USD cash only.
- Customs. Standard duty-free allowance of 1L spirits + 200 cigarettes. Declare goods >USD 500. Electronics, second-hand goods, food and gifts are routinely declared by diaspora returnees.
- Wi-Fi. Free 30-minute Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal.
05FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Harare airport's code?
IATA code HRE, ICAO code FVHA. Some older sources still use the colonial-era 'FVHA' designator; both refer to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International, Zimbabwe's main international gateway.
Which airlines fly to Harare?
Air Zimbabwe flies nonstop to and from London (an Airbus A330 operated by Plus Ultra, several times a week since 1 July 2026). The one-stop long-haul carriers are Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa), Kenya Airways (Nairobi) and South African Airways and Airlink (Johannesburg/Cape Town), plus FastJet (regional) and Air Zimbabwe (domestic).
How far is Harare airport from the city?
15 km southeast of central Harare. A taxi to the CBD is USD 25–40 and takes about 25 minutes in normal traffic.
What time do international flights leave Harare?
International long-haul departures cluster between 23:00 and 04:00. Most travellers arrive at HRE by 22:00 to be at the gate for boarding. Domestic and regional departures (JNB, CPT, VFA) are spread through the day.
Is there free Wi-Fi at Harare airport?
Yes. The terminal has free 30-minute Wi-Fi access throughout. For longer use, network-connected workspaces in the airport hotel (Avenir Suites) offer paid options.
Where do I get a SIM card at Harare airport?
Econet and NetOne kiosks in the international arrivals hall sell prepaid SIM cards. Starter packs are USD 5–10. You'll need your passport for ID registration. A pre-purchased Zimbabwe eSIM avoids this entirely.
How much is the visa at Harare airport?
USD 55 cash for single entry (most diaspora visitors), USD 70 for double entry, USD 50 for the KAZA UniVisa (Zimbabwe + Zambia, also good for day trips into Botswana). USD cash only — the visa desk does not accept card.
Is there a hotel at Harare airport?
Yes. Avenir Suites is the on-airport hotel, with shuttle service. Several mid-range hotels are within 5 km of the airport. The Rainbow Towers, Meikles and Bronte are in the CBD.
Can I check live arrivals at Harare airport?
Yes. Live arrivals and departures for HRE are embedded at the top of this page (sourced from Avionio). You can also check FlightAware at flightaware.com/live/airport/FVHA for additional flight-tracker detail.
Can I bring USD cash into Zimbabwe?
Yes. Travellers can bring up to USD 10,000 without declaration. Above that, declare to customs on arrival. USD is the dominant pricing currency in Zimbabwe and ATMs at HRE dispense USD.
Sources & further reading
- Live arrivals & departures: Avionio — HRE.
- FlightAware live tracker for HRE (alternative).
- Airports Company of Zimbabwe — the operating authority.
- Airlines, frequencies and routes are editorial, last reviewed 2026-08-20; verify with the carrier before travel.
This page is editorial reference. Schedule and operator changes are common in Zimbabwean aviation; cross-check with the airline before booking.
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