Cairo, Egypt → Addis Ababa, Ethiopia · ✈ 3h 35min · 🚗 40h 2min
1,330 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: southeast
The distance from Cairo to Addis Ababa 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 Cairo, Egypt to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 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.
Addis Ababa is located southeast of Cairo. Cairo is in Africa, in the Greater Cairo region of Egypt, while Addis Ababa is in Africa, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 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 Cairo to Addis Ababa. 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 Cairo to Addis Ababa 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.
Cairo sits at 30.0444°N, 31.2357°E, while Addis Ababa is located at 9.0250°N, 38.7469°E. The initial compass bearing from Cairo to Addis Ababa is 160° (SSE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Cairo heading roughly SSE. 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 Cairo and Addis Ababa 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.
Addis Ababa is roughly 1 hour ahead of Cairo. When it is 09:00 in Cairo, it is approximately 10:00 in Addis Ababa. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Cairo is a major city in Egypt with a population of approximately 9,540,000. Located in the Greater Cairo region, it is an important hub in Africa. As one of the largest cities in Egypt, Cairo is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from Cairo
Addis Ababa is a notable city in Ethiopia with a population of approximately 3,352,000. Situated in the Addis Ababa region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Addis Ababa offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Ethiopia.
→ See all distances from Addis Ababa
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 Cairo and Addis Ababa means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 8.2 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 3h 35min.
Combined, Cairo and Addis Ababa have a population of over 12,892,000 people, making this a major urban corridor.
The straight-line distance from Cairo to Addis Ababa 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.
Addis Ababa is approximately +1h ahead compared to Cairo.
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.