Nairobi, Kenya → Addis Ababa, Ethiopia · ✈ 1h 58min · 🚗 18h 58min
630 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: north
The distance from Nairobi to Addis Ababa 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 Nairobi, Kenya to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 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.
Addis Ababa is located north of Nairobi. Nairobi is in Africa, in the Nairobi region of Kenya, while Addis Ababa is in Africa, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 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 Nairobi to Addis Ababa. 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 Nairobi to Addis Ababa 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.
Nairobi sits at 1.2921°S, 36.8219°E, while Addis Ababa is located at 9.0250°N, 38.7469°E. The initial compass bearing from Nairobi to Addis Ababa is 10° (N), so a great-circle flight path leaves Nairobi heading roughly N. 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 Nairobi and Addis Ababa 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.
Addis Ababa is roughly 1 hour ahead of Nairobi. When it is 09:00 in Nairobi, 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.
Nairobi is a major city in Kenya with a population of approximately 4,734,000. Located in the Nairobi region, it is an important hub in Africa. Nairobi is a significant metropolitan area in Kenya with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Nairobi
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
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 Nairobi-Addis Ababa route is about 2.9% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 58min.
See how the Nairobi to Addis Ababa distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Nairobi to Addis Ababa 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.
Addis Ababa is approximately +1h ahead compared to Nairobi.
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.