Accra, Ghana → Nairobi, Kenya · ✈ 5h 44min · 🚗 67h 56min
2,258 nautical miles · Time difference: +2h ahead · Direction: southeast
The distance from Accra to Nairobi is 4,181 km (2,598 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 5h 44min.
The straight-line distance from Accra, Ghana to Nairobi, Kenya is approximately 4,181 kilometers (2,598 miles or 2,258 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Nairobi is located southeast of Accra. Accra is in Africa, in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, while Nairobi is in Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 4,181 km | ~5h 44min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Accra to Nairobi. For 4,181 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Accra sits at 5.6037°N, 0.1870°W, while Nairobi is located at 1.2921°S, 36.8219°E. The initial compass bearing from Accra to Nairobi is 99° (E), so a great-circle flight path leaves Accra heading roughly E. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 6.90° and the longitude difference is 37.01°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Accra and Nairobi is approximately 2.2732°N, 18.3609°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 2,091 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Nairobi is roughly 2 hours ahead of Accra. When it is 09:00 in Accra, it is approximately 11:00 in Nairobi. A 2-hour shift is small enough that most travelers adjust within a day. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Accra is a major city in Ghana with a population of approximately 2,291,352. Located in the Greater Accra region, it is an important hub in Africa. Accra is a significant metropolitan area in Ghana with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Accra
Nairobi is a notable city in Kenya with a population of approximately 4,734,000. Situated in the Nairobi region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Nairobi offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Kenya.
→ See all distances from Nairobi
4,181 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 4,181 km between Accra and Nairobi means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 13.9 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 5h 44min.
The straight-line distance from Accra to Nairobi is approximately 4,181 kilometers (2,598 miles, 2,258 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 5h 44min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 67h 56min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Nairobi is approximately +2h ahead compared to Accra.
The estimated road distance is approximately 5,435 km, which is about 30% longer than the 4,181 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.