Find the cheapest flights from London to Kigali in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Kigali (KGL)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 10h 30m – 14h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €680 | high |
| February | €590 | medium |
| March | €520 | medium |
| April | €480 | low |
| May | €510 | low |
| June | €560 | medium |
| July | €620 | high |
| August | €640 | high |
| September | €510 | low |
| October | €490 | low |
| November | €510 | low |
| December | €720 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Brussels Airlines (connecting): from €480 — Book via Brussels Airlines website directly for cheapest fares; codeshare with Lufthansa often costs more. Tuesday-Wednesday flights are typically €60-80 cheaper.
- Ethiopian Airlines (connecting): from €520 — Addis Ababa stopovers can break up the journey nicely. Search for ‘Addis Ababa stopover’ on their website – sometimes yields €40-60 savings versus through-fares.
- Kenya Airways (connecting): from €550 — Nairobi connection offers good late-evening arrival into Kigali. Register on their website for flash sales which occasionally drop prices to €470.
- KLM (connecting): from €560 — Use Skyscanner ‘Everywhere’ search from London to find KLM deals; mid-week departures (Tuesday/Thursday) consistently €70-100 cheaper than Friday/Sunday.
- Emirates (connecting): from €620 — Dubai connection is longest (13-14 hours) but Emirates has best in-flight entertainment. Book 8+ weeks ahead for best rates; last-minute bookings often €200+.
- RwandAir (connecting): from €590 — Check Brussels or Amsterdam as hubs – RwandAir codeshares frequently offer better rates than booking directly. Their Kigali-Johannesburg-London routes sometimes work out cheaper.
Booking Strategy
The London to Kigali route has no direct flights, making connecting routes your only option. Brussels Airlines typically offers the lowest fares at €480-520, with Addis Ababa (Ethiopian) and Amsterdam (KLM) routes also competitive. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for optimal pricing – last-minute bookings regularly exceed €700. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently €60-100 cheaper than weekend flights. Use Skyscanner’s ‘whole month’ view to identify the cheapest dates; shifting your travel by 2-3 days can save significantly. For RwandAir specifically, check Brussels Airport departures as their hub offers the most connections. Avoid December and late July-August when prices surge 30-40% due to holiday travel. Google Flights often shows cheaper routing options than airline websites directly.
Route Tips
- Heathrow (LHR) has the most flight options but Gatwick (LGW) sometimes offers €40-60 cheaper fares – compare both airports using multi-city search on Skyscanner
- All visitors need a visa for Rwanda (available on arrival for €30), and yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if arriving from endemic areas – get vaccinated before travel
- RwandAir offers a generous 2 x 23kg baggage allowance even in economy – pack heavily if bringing supplies for volunteer work or safaris
- Consider Ethiopian Airlines for the best layover experience – Addis Ababa airport has free city tours for long layovers if you have 8+ hours between flights
- Download the ‘Visit Rwanda’ app before arrival – it contains useful transport info, emergency contacts, and event listings that aren’t available offline
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Kigali?
The flight from London to Kigali takes between 10 hours 30 minutes and 14 hours 30 minutes depending on your connection city. There are no direct flights – all routes require at least one stop. The shortest connections are via Brussels (10h 30m-11h) with Brussels Airlines, while routes via Dubai with Emirates take 13-14 hours. Most carriers offer morning departures from London with afternoon/evening arrivals in Kigali, giving you a full day of travel. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa typically takes 11-12 hours, while Kenya Airways via Nairobi runs 12-13 hours.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Kigali?
Expect to pay €480-720 for a return flight from London to Kigali in economy class. The cheapest fares start around €480-520 with Brussels Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, typically available during low season (April-May, September-November). Peak season prices (December, July-August) range from €620-720. Business class fares start from approximately €1,800. One-way tickets are typically 60-70% of round-trip prices but offer less value. Use the ‘flexible dates’ feature on Skyscanner to find the cheapest days to fly within your travel window.
Are there direct flights from London to Kigali?
No, there are no direct flights from London to Kigali. All flights require at least one stop, with the most common connection hubs being Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Amsterdam (KLM), Dubai (Emirates), and Doha (Qatar Airways). Brussels Airlines offers the shortest connection time at approximately 10 hours 30 minutes total travel time. RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, operates flights via Brussels or Amsterdam as codeshare partnerships. If you’re looking to minimize travel time, Brussels and Addis Ababa connections are typically the fastest options.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Kigali?
April is typically the cheapest month to fly from London to Kigali, with average prices around €480. The low-cost season runs from April through May and again from September through November, with prices averaging €480-520. December is the most expensive month at €700+ due to Christmas travel, while January also sees high demand at €650-680. If your schedule is flexible, April offers the best combination of low prices and good weather in Rwanda (it’s dry season). Late March and early April often have promotional fares from Brussels Airlines as they fill planes before the shoulder season ends.
Which airlines fly from London to Kigali?
Six airlines operate flights from London to Kigali via their respective hubs: Brussels Airlines (via Brussels, 10h 30m, from €480), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa, 11-12h, from €520, includes 2 checked bags), Kenya Airways (via Nairobi, 12-13h, from €550), KLM (via Amsterdam, 11-12h, from €560), Emirates (via Dubai, 13-14h, from €620), and RwandAir (via Brussels/Amsterdam, 11-13h, from €590, includes 2 checked bags). Brussels Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines typically offer the best value, while Emirates is pricier but offers superior in-flight entertainment. All carriers allow online check-in 24-48 hours before departure.
What airport do I fly into in Kigali?
You’ll fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL), located approximately 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) southeast of Kigali’s city center. The airport is relatively small but modern and efficient. Taxis to the city center cost €10-15 (10-15 minutes), or you can arrange airport transfers through your hotel. There’s no public bus from the airport, but motorcycle taxis (boda-bodas) are available for around €3-5 to the city center if you’re adventurous. Visa on arrival is available for most nationalities (€30 for 30 days), and you’ll need valid yellow fever vaccination documentation if arriving from endemic countries. ATM machines are available in the arrivals hall.
How far in advance should I book London to Kigali flights?
Book your London to Kigali flights 6-8 weeks in advance for the best prices. This is the sweet spot where airlines have released their advance inventory but haven’t yet raised prices for high-demand periods. Booking too early (12+ weeks) sometimes results in higher prices as airlines haven’t yet activated their discounted advance booking classes. Last-minute bookings (less than 2 weeks) rarely yield deals on this route and typically cost €150-300 more than advance bookings. If traveling during December or July-August, book 10-12 weeks ahead as these periods fill quickly. Set fare alerts on Skyscanner or Google Flights for your specific dates to catch price drops.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Kigali on weekdays?
Yes, flying from London to Kigali on weekdays is significantly cheaper than weekend flights. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €60-100 cheaper than Friday, Saturday, or Sunday flights on the same route. This pattern holds across all airlines operating this route. For example, a Brussels Airlines flight departing Tuesday might cost €480, while the same flight on Saturday costs €550-580. If your schedule allows flexibility, shifting your departure by 2-3 days can yield substantial savings. Return flights from Kigali show less day-of-week variation, though Monday and Tuesday returns tend to be slightly cheaper than Thursday-Friday returns.
Data updated: 2026-03
