Compare: Nairobi→Johannesburg (2,925 km) vs Nairobi→Addis Ababa (1,167 km). Nairobi → Addis Ababa wins by 1,758 km (60%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
2,925 km
1,818 miles · Flight: ~4h 9min · Drive: ~47h 32min
1,167 km
725 miles · Flight: ~1h 58min · Drive: ~18h 58min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 1,758 km (60%) · Flight time difference: ~2h 11min
Verdict
Nairobi → Addis Ababa is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 1,758 km (60%) shorter, saves about 2h 11min of flight time, and cuts roughly 448 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Nairobi → Johannesburg only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Nairobi → Addis Ababa is the shorter route at 1,167 km, which is 1,758 km (60%) shorter than Nairobi → Johannesburg. You would save approximately 2h 11min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Nairobi → Johannesburg | Nairobi → Addis Ababa |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 2,925 | 1,167 |
| Distance (miles) | 1,818 | 725 |
| Flight time | ~4h 9min | ~1h 58min |
| Driving time | ~47h 32min | ~18h 58min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~3,803 km | ~1,517 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 198° (SSW) | 10° (N) |
| Time-zone shift | None | +1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~746 kg | ~298 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~650 kg | ~259 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$380 USD | ~$152 USD |
Flying from Nairobi to Johannesburg produces roughly 746 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Nairobi → Addis Ababa flight emits about 298 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 448 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 21 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 650 kg and 259 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Nairobi to Johannesburg route covers 2,925 km (1,818 miles), staying within Africa. Nairobi (population: 4,734,000) is located in Nairobi, Kenya, while Johannesburg (population: 5,635,127) is in Gauteng, South Africa.
The Nairobi to Addis Ababa route covers 1,167 km (725 miles), remaining within Africa. Nairobi (population: 4,734,000) is in Nairobi, Kenya, and Addis Ababa (population: 3,352,000) is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Flying from Nairobi to Johannesburg takes approximately 4h 9min, while Nairobi to Addis Ababa takes 1h 58min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 47h 32min for the first route and 18h 58min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Nairobi, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Johannesburg and Addis Ababa as a destination.
The 1,758 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 3,803 km and 1,517 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 2,286 km of driving.
Johannesburg (South Africa) has a population of 5,635,127 and is located in the Gauteng region of Africa. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) has a population of 3,352,000 and is situated in Addis Ababa, Africa. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Johannesburg (South Africa) — a city of 5,635,127 in the Gauteng region of Africa. Despite being the longer of the two at 2,925 km, it makes sense when Johannesburg itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 3,803 km of road and a fuel cost band around $380 USD. The initial bearing is 198° (SSW), so a great-circle flight leaves Nairobi heading roughly SSW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) — a city of 3,352,000 in the Addis Ababa region of Africa. It is also the shorter of the two at 1,167 km, saving about 2h 11min of flying and around 448 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 1,517 km of road and a fuel cost in the $152 USD range. Departing Nairobi, the great-circle bearing toward Addis Ababa is 10° (N).
Nairobi (-1.29°, 36.82°) and Johannesburg (-26.20°, 28.05°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Nairobi (-1.29°, 36.82°) and Addis Ababa (9.03°, 38.75°) have a +1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Addis Ababa is closer at 1,167 km, which is 1,758 km (60%) shorter.
2,925 km (1,818 miles). Flight: ~4h 9min.
1,167 km (725 miles). Flight: ~1h 58min.
Flying to Addis Ababa is faster at ~1h 58min, saving about 2h 11min compared to Johannesburg.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.