How to get from Kigali Airport to City

Fern Coll

Travel Writer/World Explorer

October 11, 2023

Kigali is the sprawling capital city of Rwanda. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, incredible restaurants and epic bar scene. However, Kigali also has many museums and cultural sites to explore. Be sure to take a stroll around the local artisan markets of Kimironko and pay a visit to the fascinating Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum, which outlines the country’s chilling civil war history.

There are two different transfer options from Kigali Airport to the city; taxi or bus. Taking an airport taxi will take around 10 minutes to reach the city and will cost €3 (RWF 3,700), while the KBS bus will take closer to 25 minutes and will cost €1 (RWF 1,000).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Kigali at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€3	10min	24/7
Bus	€2	25min	06:30–23:00

How to get from Kigali Airport to the city by taxi

The quickest and most convenient way to get from Kigali Airport to the city is to take a taxi. The journey will be just 10 minutes and the driver will drop you off directly at the door of your hotel, eliminating any stress.

How much is a taxi from Kigali Airport to the city?

Although taxis in Kigali are supposed to use a taximeter to calculate journey costs, most drivers don’t utilise their meters. The final fare will usually be decided on by your driver but should be around €3 (RWF 3,700) for this journey.

For a set fare you can rely on for your Kigali Airport transportation, we suggest pre-booking with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€3 (RWF 3,700)

Trip Duration

10 Min.

*Prices may vary unless pre-booked.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24 hours a day from Kigali Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Kigali Airport?

Taxis are readily available 24/7 from just outside of the Arrivals Hall at Kigali Airport. Most taxis are white with a coloured stripe down the side and the company emblem on the door.

Convenience

As the journey from Kigali Airport to the city is short, taking a taxi is both convenient and affordable. The quick door-to-door journey shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes in light traffic and thanks to your private vehicle you will ensure that your personal belongings are safely stored throughout the trip.

Editor’s Note

Be sure to agree on a price with your driver before getting into the taxi. If you don't quite like the price you’re quoted, you can try another driver.

Useful Tips

Be sure to bring cash in RWF to pay for your taxi.

Tipping your driver isn't expected but is always appreciated.

Some drivers may give you a higher fare if your destination is a large, expensive hotel.

How to get from Kigali Airport to the city by bus

Kigali Bus Service (KBS) runs a bus every hour from the airport to the city centre of Kigali. The journey time from Kigali Airport to the city by bus will be 25 minutes, not including any potential wait times.

How much is the bus from Kigali Airport to the city?

To ride the KBS bus, you will need to purchase and top up a Tap&Go Smart Card. The cost of a single journey on the bus will be €1 (RWF 1,000) per traveller. You can purchase this card from the kiosks inside the airport.

Cost

€1 (RWF 1,000)

Trip Duration

25 Min.

*There's a waiting time of 60 minutes for the KBS bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The KBS bus runs from 06:30 to 23:00.

Where do I find the bus at Kigali Airport?

After collecting your luggage, follow the signs for “Ground Transportation” and you will find the bus stops as soon as you exit the airport. The Kigali bus goes towards the Central Business District in the city centre.

Convenience

Although a very affordable and direct transfer option, the KBS bus isn’t the most convenient way to travel. You may face a waiting time of up to 1 hour for the bus and once you arrive in the city, the bus will drop you off in the Central Business District, which is a long way from most of the hotels. This may mean that you’ll have to walk or take another mode of transport to actually reach your accommodation.

Timetables

KBS Bus

Editor’s Note

If you're travelling in a group of 3 people or more, taking a taxi will cost the same as taking the bus but is much more convenient.

Useful Tips

Be sure to top up a Tap&Go Smart Card before entering the bus. You will need to scan this card to ride.

Most KBS buses have free WiFi.

The bus terminates at the CBD of Kigali, double-check how far that is from your end destination as you may need to find alternate transport from there to your hotel.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Kigali Airport to the city centre?

There are two ways to get from Kigali Airport to the city, taking a taxi or the bus. The local airport taxis cost around €3 (RWF 3,700) and take 10 minutes to reach Kigali city centre, while the KBS bus will take 25 minutes but will cost just €1 (RWF 1,000) per person.

How far is it from Kigali Airport to the city?

The distance from Kigali Airport to Kigali city is just 3 km. It will take you 10 minutes to reach the city centre in an airport taxi or private transfer and around 25 minutes if you opt for the public bus.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Kigali Airport to the city?

The average cost of a taxi from Kigali Airport to the city is €3 (RWF 3,700). However, there are no officially fixed fares for this journey, so you may end up paying more, depending on your driver. To enjoy a fixed-rate fare that won’t change, why not pre-book your transfers with Welcome Pickups instead?

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How to get from Kigali Airport to City

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from Kigali Airport to the city by taxi