Addis Ababa, Ethiopia → Cairo, Egypt · ✈ 3h 35min · 🚗 40h 2min
1,330 nautical miles · Time difference: -1h behind · Direction: northwest
The distance from Addis Ababa to Cairo is 2,464 km (1,531 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 3h 35min.
The straight-line distance from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Cairo, Egypt is approximately 2,464 kilometers (1,531 miles or 1,330 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Cairo is located northwest of Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa is in Africa, in the Addis Ababa region of Ethiopia, while Cairo is in Africa, in Greater Cairo, Egypt. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 2,464 km | ~3h 35min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~3,203 km | ~40h 2min | Long journey, consider stops |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Addis Ababa to Cairo. For 2,464 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 3,203 km, fuel costs for driving from Addis Ababa to Cairo are approximately $256–$480 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Addis Ababa sits at 9.0250°N, 38.7469°E, while Cairo is located at 30.0444°N, 31.2357°E. The initial compass bearing from Addis Ababa to Cairo is 343° (NNW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Addis Ababa heading roughly NNW. 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 21.02° and the longitude difference is 7.51°. 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 Addis Ababa and Cairo is approximately 19.5734°N, 35.2388°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 1,232 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.
Cairo is roughly 1 hour behind Addis Ababa. When it is 09:00 in Addis Ababa, it is approximately 08:00 in Cairo. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Addis Ababa is a major city in Ethiopia with a population of approximately 3,352,000. Located in the Addis Ababa region, it is an important hub in Africa. Addis Ababa is a significant metropolitan area in Ethiopia with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Addis Ababa
Cairo is a notable city in Egypt with a population of approximately 9,540,000. Situated in the Greater Cairo region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Cairo is one of Egypt's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
→ See all distances from Cairo
2,464 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 2,464 km between Addis Ababa and Cairo means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 8.2 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 3h 35min.
Combined, Addis Ababa and Cairo have a population of over 12,892,000 people, making this a major urban corridor.
The straight-line distance from Addis Ababa to Cairo is approximately 2,464 kilometers (1,531 miles, 1,330 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 3h 35min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 40h 2min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Cairo is approximately -1h behind compared to Addis Ababa.
The estimated road distance is approximately 3,203 km, which is about 30% longer than the 2,464 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.