Distance from Cairo to Lagos

About This Route

3,913 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, Lagos lies to the southwest.

Flights

EgyptAir operates nonstop Cairo–Lagos flights of roughly 5–5.5 hours. Connections are also available via Addis Ababa and Gulf hubs.

The flight time shown (5 h 25 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 Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS).

By Road and Land Borders

There is no practical overland route: the direct line crosses the Sahara through Libya, Niger or Chad, where security conditions make road travel unsafe. Travel is by air.

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 Lagos, Nigeria

Nigeria's largest city and commercial centre, and one of the largest urban areas in Africa. Lagos was Nigeria's capital until 1991, when the capital moved to Abuja.

Practical Tips

• Time: Lagos is 1 hour behind Cairo 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); Lagos uses the Nigerian naira (NGN).
• Visas: Entry rules between Egypt and Nigeria depend on your nationality; check our visa requirements tool and official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Cairo from Lagos?

Cairo is 3,913 km (2,431 miles) from Lagos in a straight line. There is no practical road route between the two cities.

How long is the flight from Cairo to Lagos?

A nonstop flight takes about 5 h 25 min, based on 3,913 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 Cairo to Lagos by road?

Not in practice. The overland route crosses the Sahara through Libya or Niger and Chad, where security conditions make road travel unsafe.

What is the time difference between Cairo and Lagos?

Lagos is 1 hour behind Cairo 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.