Nairobi to Kigali is one of East Africa’s busiest short-haul hops, and it’s a genuinely easy one: fly non-stop in around 1½ hours with Kenya Airways or RwandAir, or take a cheaper one-stop routing if the timing suits. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in Kenyan shillings, and when to book for the best price.
Route: Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO) → Kigali International (KGL)
Distance: approximately 830 km (515 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 30m – 1h 40m
Direct flights: Yes — Kenya Airways and RwandAir both fly non-stop, several times a day between them.
Fares from Nairobi to Kigali (KES)
This is a competitive regional route with two carriers going head to head, so fares stay reasonable most of the year. They firm up around Rwanda’s dry-season tourism peaks (June–September, gorilla-trekking season) and the December holidays, and soften during the long rains in April and May. The figures below are typical economy return fares in Kenyan shillings.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | medium-high |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | low (long rains) |
| May | — | low |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | high |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | high (Kwita Izina) |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this route costs more than it is usually made out to. The cheapest non-stop is KSh 82,154 on Kenya Airways, with a non-stop median of KSh 91,756, so a direct return under about KSh 85,000 is a genuinely good one. The cheapest fare of any kind is KSh 58,213 — an Ethiopian connection, which saves roughly KSh 24,000 but adds hours to a flight that only takes an hour and a half. There is nothing at any price below KSh 58,000.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1½ hours):
- Kenya Airways — multiple daily non-stops from its Nairobi hub; full-service, with checked baggage on most fares.
- RwandAir — Rwanda’s flag carrier flies non-stop several times a day into its Kigali home base; reliable and well-timed for onward RwandAir connections.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper):
- Regional carriers sometimes route via a third city (such as Entebbe or Bujumbura), which can undercut the non-stops but adds hours — only worth it for a real saving.
For almost everyone, the two non-stops are the sensible choice: they’re quick, frequent and priced close together, so it comes down to schedule and whichever fare is lower on the day.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–6 weeks ahead for the best fares; last-minute regional tickets on this route climb fast.
- Compare both carriers — Kenya Airways and RwandAir trade the cheapest fare back and forth, so check both before booking.
- Travel in the shoulder months (April–May or October–November) for the lowest prices, away from the dry-season gorilla peak and December holidays.
- Check the bag rules: full-service fares usually include a 23 kg checked bag, but the cheapest “light” fares may only cover carry-on — compare the all-in price.
- Kenyan passport holders travel visa-free to Rwanda under the East African Community arrangement, so there’s no visa cost to factor in.
Arriving in Kigali
Flights land at Kigali International Airport (KGL), unusually close to the city — only about 3–5 km from the centre, roughly a 10–15 minute drive. A metered or negotiated airport taxi runs about KSh 1,600–KSh 3,200 (RWF 15,000–30,000), while a ride-hailing app like Bolt is cheaper at around KSh 550–KSh 950 (RWF 5,000–9,000). Kigali is famously clean, safe and orderly, and getting into town is one of the smoothest airport transfers in the region.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Kigali?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. Both Kenya Airways and RwandAir fly it direct, so unless you deliberately choose a one-stop routing, you’ll be in Kigali well under two hours after take-off.
Are there direct flights from Nairobi to Kigali?
Yes. Kenya Airways and RwandAir both operate non-stop flights between Nairobi (NBO) and Kigali (KGL), several times a day between them. There is no need to connect — direct is the normal way to fly this route.
How much does it cost to fly from Nairobi to Kigali?
A typical non-stop economy return runs about KSh 82,000–KSh 93,000, median KSh 91,756 on Kenya Airways. Connections through a third city run KSh 58,213–KSh 59,288, the cheapest fares on the route. December and the June–September dry season sit at the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Nairobi to Kigali?
April, May and November are usually the cheapest, during Rwanda’s rainy and shoulder seasons. In the dates we could price, non-stop returns started at KSh 82,154 and the cheapest connection at KSh 58,213. Avoid the June–September gorilla-trekking peak and the December holidays, when both airlines push fares to their highest.
Which airlines fly from Nairobi to Kigali?
Two carriers fly it non-stop: Kenya Airways from its Nairobi hub and RwandAir, Rwanda’s flag carrier, into its Kigali base. They compete closely on price and schedule, so it pays to check both — in our fare data every direct fare was Kenya Airways’, at KSh 82,154–KSh 93,040. One-stop options via a third regional city do exist and this time they were cheaper: Ethiopian at KSh 58,213–KSh 59,288, roughly KSh 24,000 less. On a 90-minute flight that is a genuine trade-off between money and hours — worth pricing, not worth assuming.
Which airport do I fly into in Kigali?
All flights use Kigali International Airport (KGL), the city’s only commercial airport. It sits just 3–5 km from the centre, so the transfer into town is short and cheap — about 10–15 minutes by taxi or ride-hail.
How far in advance should I book Nairobi to Kigali flights?
Aim to book 3 to 6 weeks ahead. This is a short regional route where fares tend to rise sharply in the final fortnight, especially around the dry-season and December peaks, so booking early almost always secures a better price.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, when weekend and business demand is highest. Being flexible by a day or two, and comparing Kenya Airways against RwandAir, is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
