How to get from Windhoek Airport to City Centre

Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek, is known for its European architecture and vibrant African culture. It’s also the transport hub of the country and the gateway to nature hiking trails and safari trips.

Travelling from Windhoek Airport to the city centre? You have two transfer options available: taxi and bus. The fastest and safest way to make the 44km journey is to take a taxi. A taxi or private transfer will take around 45 minutes to reach the centre in light traffic. There is also a public bus service from the airport that is more budget-friendly. However, the buses have much longer wait times and no fixed schedule.

To make your transfer easier, why not consider an affordable private booking with Welcome Pickups? We offer personalised meet and greet services at Windhoek Airport that allow you to relax and focus on your vacation instead of transportation.

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

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€19	45min	24/7
Bus	€15	60min	–

How to get from Windhoek Airport to the city centre by taxi

Windhoek Airport is a small airport with a large number of taxis running to and from it. Many are run by private taxi companies but there are also individual drivers in operation. Hailing a taxi outside of the airport can leave you subject to the driver’s custom fares as they don’t tend to have taximeters. The preferable route is booking in advance with a top-rated company like Welcome Pickups – which offers a safer option and guarantees a reasonable price. The ride by taxi from the airport to Windhoek shouldn’t take longer than 45 minutes.

Taxi fare from Windhoek Airport to city centre

Taxis at Windhoek Airport don’t have a flat fee to the city centre. They operate based on the exact distance to your final destination, the amount of luggage you have, and the time of day. You can expect to pay around €19 (NAD 300) to get from Hosea Kutako Airport to Windhoek city centre during daylight hours. The price can increase at night. This fare is a reasonable on-demand rate for independent taxis and private taxi companies alike but if you’re quoted a price much higher than this, it would be worth seeking a different driver.

Cost

€19 (NAD 300)

Trip Duration

45 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Windhoek Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Taxis are readily available outside of the Arrivals Hall at Windhoek Airport. As the airport is relatively small, the taxi rank is easy to find. If in doubt, ask customer service at the airport for guidance on where to hail a taxi from Windhoek Airport to downtown.

Convenience

After a long flight, a taxi is the safest, most reliable way of getting to Windhoek city centre. For even more peace of mind, consider a private and personalised transfer from a trusted company like Welcome.

Editor’s Note

To avoid overinflated taxi fares by independent drivers, agree on the cost of the taxi ride before you journey with them. Booking a private taxi will ensure you don’t get overcharged.

Useful Tips

Avoid hailing a cab from the taxi stand as you could face overcharging or unlicensed drivers.

If you receive good service from your taxi driver, consider tipping €0.25-0.75 (NAD 5-15).

Make sure you have Namibian Dollars or South African Rand in cash to pay for your taxi ride. Cards are generally not accepted.

How to get from Windhoek Airport to the city centre by bus

Public transportation is few and far between in Windhoek. Within the city centre, there are shared taxis with no schedules or set destinations that locals use to get around. Primarily though, the city runs on taxis. There is a bus service from Windhoek Airport to the city centre but it doesn’t have a fixed schedule. Instead, it runs on flight times, mostly servicing the airport when there is plenty of flight traffic. Therefore wait times can be long. The bus will take you directly to the combined taxi and bus station on Independence Avenue in downtown Windhoek, from where you’ll need to walk or find another mode of transport to reach your accommodation.

How much is the bus from Windhoek Airport to city centre?

A one-way ticket from the airport to the city centre is €7.50 (NAD 150). Although the bus travels the same 44 km distance as taxis do, it will be a longer journey due to the several stops along the way and slower speed.

Cost

€7.50 (NAD 150)

Trip Duration

60 Min.

Wait times are unpredictable as there is no set schedule.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The bus is available from Windhoek Airport when major flight arrivals are scheduled.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can get the bus from outside of the Arrivals Hall. As Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is quite small, the bus is easy to spot when it’s there. That said, because there is no set timetable, it’s unclear when the bus will be available.

Convenience

Taking the bus from Windhoek Airport to the city is not recommended for tourists. This is both because it’s less safe than a professional private ride and because there are no official timetables, so wait times are unpredictable. So if you have any time constraints or simply want to reach your accommodation quickly and effortlessly, you may want to consider a taxi or private transfer.

Editor’s Note

The shuttle bus from Windhoek Airport will drop you off at the bus station in the city centre of Windhoek; getting to your exact hotel or apartment may require a little more effort, time and money depending on how close your accommodation is to the station.

Useful Tips

You cannot book your bus tickets in advance; it is first come, first serve, with limited storage for luggage.

Airport buses are prime targets for pickpockets, so be mindful of your personal belongings when travelling by bus.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How far is Windhoek from Windhoek Airport?

Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is located 44 km away from the centre of Windhoek. In normal traffic conditions, the journey from Windhoek Airport to the city shouldn’t take longer than 45 minutes by taxi and 60 minutes by bus – excluding wait times.

How can I get from Windhoek Airport to the city?

When travelling from Windhoek Airport to the city centre, you have two transport options: taxi or bus. The taxi takes around 45 minutes and costs €19 (NAD 300) for up to 4 passengers. The bus costs around €7.50 (NAD 150) per person but usually takes closer to 60 minutes. Taxis are generally safer and more reliable than buses. Alternatively, you can also consider booking a personalised private transfer in advance for a completely stress-free ride.

How much is a taxi from Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport to downtown?

A taxi from Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport to downtown Windhoek will cost you around €19 (NAD 300). However, Windhoek taxis do not operate on set-rate fares. To avoid inflated fees, agree on the price of the ride with the driver before you set off, or book your ride ahead of time with a top-rated provider like Welcome Pickups for a competitive set fare.

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How to get from Windhoek Airport to the city centre by taxi