Distance from Cairo to Khartoum

About This Route

Travel warning: Sudan has been in a civil war since April 2023. Most governments advise against all travel to Sudan. Information on this page about pre-war routes is for reference only.

1,623 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 Cairo, Khartoum lies to the south.

Flights

Before April 2023 EgyptAir and Sudanese airlines flew Cairo–Khartoum nonstop in about 2 h 30 min. After the war began, Khartoum International Airport (KRT) closed and flights between Egypt and Sudan used Port Sudan (PZU) on the Red Sea instead. KRT resumed scheduled flights in February 2026 and international services in April 2026, though drone attacks have caused further suspensions. Check the current status before planning.

The flight time shown (2 h 30 min) assumes a nonstop flight at an average of 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Airports: Cairo International Airport (CAI) and Khartoum International Airport (KRT).

By Road and Land Borders

Before the war the usual road route ran from Cairo to Aswan and Abu Simbel, across the Qustul–Ashkeet border (or the Argeen crossing west of Lake Nasser) to Wadi Halfa, then via Dongola to Khartoum – about 2,000 km. Since April 2023 these crossings have mainly been used by people fleeing Sudan; travel to Sudan is not advisable. Follow your government's travel advice.

About Cairo, Egypt

Egypt's capital, on the Nile just south of the delta, and one of the largest urban areas in Africa and the Middle East. Egypt is also building a New Administrative Capital east of the city, to which ministries have been moving.

About Khartoum, Sudan

Sudan's capital, at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile, together with Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri). The city was heavily damaged in the war that began in April 2023; during the fighting much of the government and most international flights moved to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, before the government returned in January 2026 and the airport reopened later that year.

Practical Tips

• Time: Cairo and Khartoum are on the same time while Egypt is on standard time (UTC+2, roughly November to April); from late April to late October Egypt uses summer time (UTC+3), which changes the difference by one hour.
• Currency: Cairo uses the Egyptian pound (EGP); Khartoum uses the Sudanese pound (SDG).
• Visas: Entry rules between Egypt and Sudan depend on your nationality; check our visa requirements tool and official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Cairo from Khartoum?

Cairo is 1,623 km (1,008 miles) from Khartoum in a straight line. By road the distance is about 2,000 km.

How long is the flight from Cairo to Khartoum?

A nonstop flight takes about 2 h 30 min, based on 1,623 km at an average 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off, climb and landing. Scheduled times vary with winds and routing. Khartoum airport was closed by the war from April 2023 and reopened to international flights in April 2026, but services can still be suspended at short notice, so check current schedules (Port Sudan is the alternative).

Can you travel from Cairo to Khartoum by road?

The road route via Aswan, the Qustul-Ashkeet or Argeen border and Wadi Halfa is about 2,000 km, but travel to Sudan is not advisable because of the war that began in April 2023.

What is the time difference between Cairo and Khartoum?

Cairo and Khartoum are on the same time while Egypt is on standard time (UTC+2, roughly November to April); from late April to late October Egypt uses summer time (UTC+3), which changes the difference by one hour.