Nairobi, Kenya → Kampala, Uganda · ✈ 1h 8min · 🚗 8h 12min
273 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: west
The distance from Nairobi to Kampala is 505 km (314 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 1h 8min.
The straight-line distance from Nairobi, Kenya to Kampala, Uganda is approximately 505 kilometers (314 miles or 273 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Kampala is located west of Nairobi. Nairobi is in Africa, in the Nairobi region of Kenya, while Kampala is in Africa, in Central, Uganda. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 505 km | ~1h 8min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~657 km | ~8h 12min | Feasible with breaks |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~606 km | ~5h 3min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Nairobi to Kampala. For 505 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 657 km, fuel costs for driving from Nairobi to Kampala are approximately $53–$99 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 Kampala is located at 0.3476°N, 32.5825°E. The initial compass bearing from Nairobi to Kampala is 291° (WNW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Nairobi heading roughly WNW. 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 1.64° and the longitude difference is 4.24°. 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 Kampala is approximately 0.4726°S, 34.7019°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 253 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Nairobi and Kampala share the same approximate time zone, so meetings, calls, and arrivals don't require any clock adjustment. This makes the route especially convenient for short business trips. 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
Kampala is a notable city in Uganda with a population of approximately 1,680,600. Situated in the Central region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Kampala offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Uganda.
505 km is a medium-distance route, similar to traveling across a mid-sized European country. A flight covers this distance quickly, but driving or rail travel remains feasible for those who prefer ground transport. For reference, New York to Chicago is about 1,150 km.
At 505 km, the Nairobi-Kampala route is about 1.3% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 8min.
The straight-line distance from Nairobi to Kampala is approximately 505 kilometers (314 miles, 273 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 8min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 8h 12min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Kampala is approximately Same timezone compared to Nairobi.
The estimated road distance is approximately 657 km, which is about 30% longer than the 505 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.