AboutPartners[email protected]
Partners
Airport

KGL Kigali International Airport

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

Kigali International Airport (KGL) serves Kigali, about 9 km east of Kigali. Below: trains and buses from the terminal, an estimated taxi fare to town and nearby cities, where you can fly from here, and hotels nearby.

IATAKGL
ICAOHRYR
ServesKigali
From centre9 km
Non-stop16
Airlines15
TimezoneAfrica/Kigali
Elevation1481 m

See on map ↗

The airport in numbers

Kigali International Airport — facts & history

We pulled Kigali International Airport's numbers from the open aviation datasets — 1.1M passengers in 2019.

Passengers / year
1.1M
as of 2019
Elevation
1481 מ׳
above sea level
Operator
Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority
Passengers per year, 2004–2019

Figures: Wikidata (CC0) · Wikipedia

Airport to city

Getting from Kigali International Airport to Kigali

The airport is about 9 km east of Kigali, about 19 minutes by road in normal traffic.

Train & bus: Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town.

Taxi & apps: Take a taxi from the official rank with the meter, or pre-book a ride on a known app. Avoid drivers touting for a fare in the arrivals hall.

Tipping: Rounding up is accepted almost everywhere.

Transport guidance is generic for this country — check exact details on the airport's own site.

Way inTime to centreCost
Train / bus~15 mincheapestCHEAPEST
Taxi~19 minmetered
Private transfer~19 minfixed upfront
Car rental~19 min + חניהfrom the terminal
Choose and book

Which way suits you from Kigali International Airport

Taxi

Cheapest for a short trip, one or two people.

Private transfer

Fixed price upfront, driver with a sign. For a late arrival, bags, kids or a group.

Car rental

If you're touring the region. Desks in the terminal, booking ahead beats the counter.

Train or bus is usually the cheapest — details above.

Book your airport transfer in Kigali ahead, no terminal surprises.

Route network

Where you can fly from Kigali International Airport

Non-stop flights to about 16 destinations, operated by 15 airlines. The busiest routes:

Airlines here: Rwandair Express · KLM Royal Dutch Airlines · Ethiopian Airlines · Kenya Airways · Lufthansa · Air Canada · Egyptair · Air France · Brussels Airlines · USA Jet Airlines

At the airport

Left luggage & lost and found at Kigali International Airport

Most large airports offer left-luggage inside the terminal, usually by the hour or day and with a size limit. A common, cheaper alternative: in-city storage points near stations and sights — handy for an early arrival before check-in, or after check-out.

Something lost in the terminal is handled by the airport's lost-and-found office (usually near baggage claim); something left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Keep your flight details, seat number and a description of the item.

Sleep nearby

Hotels near Kigali International Airport

For an early connection — a hotel by the terminal saves a taxi and a headache.

Rates in Kigali shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Reviews — Kigali International Airport

No reviews yet — be the first to share.

Airports nearby

Other options near Kigali

Same country

Other airports in Rwanda

Q&A

Answers to your questions

How do I get from Kigali International Airport to the centre of Kigali?
Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town. The airport is about 9 km east of Kigali, about 19 minutes by road.
Can I use a ride app from Kigali International Airport?
Take a taxi from the official rank with the meter, or pre-book a ride on a known app. Avoid drivers touting for a fare in the arrivals hall.
What's the cheapest way from Kigali International Airport to Kigali?
Train or bus, almost always — usually a fraction of the taxi fare. Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town.
Can I get from Kigali International Airport into town without a car?
Yes. Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town. For a late arrival or a lot of bags, a pre-booked transfer is easier.
Where can I fly non-stop from Kigali International Airport?
About 16 destinations, including Entebbe, Nairobi, Bujumbura, Addis Ababa. 15 airlines operate here.
Can I leave luggage at the airport?
Most large airports have a left-luggage service, and there are also in-city storage points near stations and sights that are usually cheaper with no size limit.
Where is Kigali International Airport's lost and found?
Items found in the terminal (not on the aircraft) are handled by the airport's lost-and-found office — usually near baggage claim or the information desks, sometimes one office per terminal. Anything left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Current contact details are on Kigali International Airport's official site.
How do I know which terminal my flight leaves from at Kigali International Airport?
The terminal is on your boarding pass and booking confirmation, and updates on the departure boards at the entrance. Rule of thumb: each airline works from a fixed terminal, and airlines in the same alliance are usually grouped together. With a connection, check whether you change terminals and how long that takes.
Kigali city guide← Rwanda travel guideAll airports

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Airport data: OpenFlights (ODbL) · Route network: OpenFlights routes

How we work