Addis Ababa, Ethiopia → Nairobi, Kenya · ✈ 1h 58min · 🚗 18h 58min
630 nautical miles · Time difference: -1h behind · Direction: south
The distance from Addis Ababa to Nairobi is 1,167 km (725 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 1h 58min.
The straight-line distance from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Nairobi, Kenya is approximately 1,167 kilometers (725 miles or 630 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 south of Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa is in Africa, in the Addis Ababa region of Ethiopia, while Nairobi is in Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,167 km | ~1h 58min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~1,517 km | ~18h 58min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~1,400 km | ~11h 40min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Addis Ababa to Nairobi. For 1,167 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 1,517 km, fuel costs for driving from Addis Ababa to Nairobi are approximately $121–$228 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 Nairobi is located at 1.2921°S, 36.8219°E. The initial compass bearing from Addis Ababa to Nairobi is 191° (S), so a great-circle flight path leaves Addis Ababa heading roughly S. 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 10.32° and the longitude difference is 1.92°. 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 Nairobi is approximately 3.8670°N, 37.7785°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 584 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Nairobi is roughly 1 hour behind Addis Ababa. When it is 09:00 in Addis Ababa, it is approximately 08:00 in Nairobi. 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
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
1,167 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.
At 1,167 km, the Addis Ababa-Nairobi route is about 2.9% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 58min.
See how the Addis Ababa to Nairobi distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Addis Ababa to Nairobi is approximately 1,167 kilometers (725 miles, 630 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 58min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 18h 58min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Nairobi is approximately -1h behind compared to Addis Ababa.
The estimated road distance is approximately 1,517 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,167 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.