Kampala, Uganda’s buzzing capital city, is the perfect introduction to the country’s vibrant history, showcasing its transformation into an urban hub while preserving its thriving tribal roots. There are so many unique experiences to be had in Kampala such as taking a boat across Africa’s largest lake and then cycling around Lake Victoria Island, witnessing the madness that is Kampala Old Taxi Park and visiting buzzing food markets where street vendors whip up delicious local treats.
When travelling between Entebbe Airport and Kampala city centre there are three main transport options; taxi or private transfer, a shared shuttle bus and a minibus ‘taxi’. Taking a private door-to-door taxi is the most convenient option as it takes just 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic, with a local cab costing around €25 (UGX 100,000) for up to 4 passengers. A cheaper alternative is an airport shuttle service for €12 (UGX 49,000) per person, which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The most affordable option – but also the longest – is to take a shared minibus ‘taxi’ to Entebbe town where you then need to transfer to another minibus to Kampala city centre. This costs just €1.70 (UGX 7,000) per traveller but it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, not including wait times or stops along the way.
3 options to go from Kampala Airport to city center
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pineapple Express shuttle | €24 | 90min | 05:00–11:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| All baggage must be pre-booked and there is a maximum of 43 kg per person. | ||||||
Taxi | €25 | 45min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Be sure to carry cash in small denominations in case your driver is unable to provide you with change. There is a currency exchange available in the Arrivals hall. | ||||||
Minibus 'taxi' | €3.40 | 100min | 24/7 | Convenience | Read more | |
| It is not recommended that you take a minibus at night. A special hire (taxi) or private transfer is a safer option if you are arriving later in the day. | ||||||
Taxis in Uganda are known as special hires and when travelling from Entebbe Airport to Kampala, they are the most direct and safest transport option. The journey takes 45 minutes in light traffic conditions, and up to 60 minutes in heavier traffic, and they are available any time of day.
Taxi fare from Entebbe Airport to Kampala
The cost of a taxi from Entebbe Airport to Kampala will set you back €25 (UGX 100,000) for up to 4 passengers. This is the flat-rate fee that special hires charge for this route and doesn’t include any additional charges such as tolls or waiting fees. Payment should be made in cash in either local Ugandan shillings or US dollars.
For a guaranteed price with no hidden costs, we recommend booking a private transfer in advance.
Where do I take a taxi from?
Taxis are available from the ground level of Arrivals in the main airport terminal. Look for a white vehicle with a yellow band and ‘AIRPORT TAXI’ written across it in black lettering.
Convenience
Getting an Entebbe Airport taxi to Kampala is by far the easiest, quickest and most convenient transport option for this journey. Furthermore, you can feel safe that you and your belongings will be delivered directly to your door, rather than trying to navigate your way through the streets of Kampala from a public bus stop.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn morePineapple Express provides a shuttle service from Entebbe Airport to Kampala three times a day; one very early in the morning, another around lunchtime, and one late at night. The journey time is around 90 minutes and the driver can drop you anywhere around the city centre, including your hotel.
Cost of the shared shuttle from Entebbe Airport taxi to Kampala
The shuttle bus from Entebbe Airport to Kampala costs €12 (UGX 49,000) for each traveller and is paid for in cash directly to the driver.
Shuttles run daily at 05:00, 14:30 and 23:00.
Where do I take the shuttle from?
Your shuttle driver will be waiting for passengers in the Arrivals hall, to guide any travellers to the shuttle bus.
Convenience
The shuttle service is a reliable and affordable option that operates according to a set timetable so that you can schedule your seat ahead of time. With that in mind, it only operates from Entebbe Airport three times a day, so this option is only suitable if your travel plans are flexible and you are happy to wait in between services.
Given the long wait times in between services, a private transfer with a trusted company like Welcome is a more reliable option where you can have a driver meet you at any time of day and deliver you straight to your door.
Timetables
Entebbe Airport - Kampala
Pineapple Express Shuttle
Useful Tips
The most cost-effective method of travel across Uganda is taking one of the local ‘taxis’, which really are shared minibuses. Minibuses transport passengers along pre-determined routes much like a public bus system. There are no direct minibuses from Entebbe Airport to Kampala, so you will first need to take one to the taxi park in Entebbe town which takes 15 to 20 minutes. From there you can take another minibus to Kampala Old Taxi Park which takes around 60 minutes, depending on how many stops there are along the way.
You will need to look for a minibus that specifically operates along a route nearest to your hotel to minimise how far you need to walk from the drop-off point. The total journey time for this option is 100 minutes, but the minibus will not depart until it is full, which can take between 10 and 30 minutes. The minibus will also make numerous stops along the way to drop off and collect passengers, further increasing your journey time.
How much is the minibus from Entebbe Airport to Kampala?
A minibus fare from Entebbe Airport to Kampala is very cheap and if you are travelling on a budget and are not in a hurry, then this is the most affordable transport option. The ticket for each person travelling should cost €0.50 (UGX 2,000) from the airport to Entebbe town, and from Entebbe town to Kampala €1.20 (UGX 5,000) for a total journey cost of €1.70 (UGX 7,000). As a tourist, be sure to confirm the cost with the driver and be prepared to negotiate if you feel that you are being overcharged. Your ticket should be paid for in cash to the driver just before you disembark.
Minibuses don't have set departure times as they leave when they are full but they aim to meet every flight arrival.
Where do I take a minibus from?
Upon exiting the airport, look for white commuter vans with blue bands which all minibus-taxis are required to have by law. Minibuses aren’t marked with destinations so if you’re not sure which minibus is going to your destination, ask a nearby driver or conductor to help point you in the right direction. Once at the taxi park in Entebbe town, listen to the destinations that the drivers are yelling out for ones that are going to Kampala city. When you approach your stop, say ‘Maso Awo’ and the driver will pull over to let you off.
Convenience
For first-time visitors to Uganda, navigating the minibus system can be quite overwhelming and is not recommended unless you can clearly communicate where it is that you need to go, and are prepared to haggle for your ticket.
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
How can I get from Entebbe Airport to Kampala?
There are three main transportation options from Entebbe Airport to Kampala; taxi and private transfer, shared ‘taxi’ or shuttle bus. The quickest and most convenient is the private taxi or transfer which takes just 45 minutes, in good traffic. A shuttle takes around 90 minutes and will drop you at your door, but only runs three times a day. The cheapest option is to take a ‘taxi’-minibus which takes closer to 100 minutes, excluding wait times and dropping passengers off along the way.
How far is Kampala city centre from Entebbe Airport?
When travelling directly by car in a special hire taxi or by private transfer, the 4o km distance between Entebbe Airport and Kampala can be covered in 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
What’s the cost of a taxi from Entebbe Airport to Kampala?
The set-rate local taxi fare from Entebbe Airport to Kampala costs €25 (UGX 100,000) for a private vehicle that can accommodate up to 4 passengers; that cost does not include tolls or any fees the driver may charge for waiting, if applicable.
Transfer Options in Kampala
Kampala Taxi: Prices and Useful Tips for Taxis in Kampala - Welcome
Kampala Entebbe Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices