Distance from Addis Ababa to Kampala

About This Route

1,182 km is the great-circle distance between the two city centres, calculated with the haversine formula. Flight paths are usually somewhat longer because aircraft follow air-traffic routes, and airports are not in the city centres. From Addis Ababa, Kampala lies to the southwest.

Flights

Ethiopian Airlines flies nonstop from Addis Ababa to Entebbe (EBB), the airport for Kampala; the flight takes about 2 hours. Remember to add 45–90 minutes by road from Entebbe to central Kampala.

The flight time shown (2 h) assumes a nonstop flight at an average of 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Airports: Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) and Entebbe International Airport (EBB).

By Road and Land Borders

The realistic road route goes through Kenya: Addis Ababa – Hawassa – Moyale (Ethiopia–Kenya border) – Marsabit – Nairobi – Malaba or Busia (Kenya–Uganda border) – Kampala, roughly 2,200 km and 3–4 days. The direct line crosses South Sudan, which has no practical road link for travellers.

About Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ethiopia's capital and the seat of the African Union. At about 2,355 m above sea level it is one of the highest capital cities in the world, and Bole airport is the hub of Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest carrier.

About Kampala, Uganda

Uganda's capital, built on a series of hills near the northern shore of Lake Victoria. International flights use Entebbe, a separate town about 40 km away (usually 45–90 minutes by road via the Entebbe Expressway, depending on traffic).

Practical Tips

• Time: Addis Ababa and Kampala are on the same time.
• Currency: Addis Ababa uses the Ethiopian birr (ETB); Kampala uses the Ugandan shilling (UGX).
• Visas: Entry rules between Ethiopia and Uganda depend on your nationality; check our visa requirements tool and official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Addis Ababa from Kampala?

Addis Ababa is 1,182 km (734 miles) from Kampala in a straight line. By road the distance is about 2,200 km via Kenya.

How long is the flight from Addis Ababa to Kampala?

A nonstop flight takes about 2 h, based on 1,182 km at an average 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off, climb and landing. Scheduled times vary with winds and routing.

Can you travel from Addis Ababa to Kampala by road?

Only via Kenya: Addis Ababa to Moyale, Nairobi and the Malaba or Busia border into Uganda, roughly 2,200 km and three to four days of driving.

What is the time difference between Addis Ababa and Kampala?

Addis Ababa and Kampala are on the same time.