Distance from Johannesburg to Nairobi

The straight-line (great-circle) distance from Johannesburg, South Africa to Nairobi, Kenya is 2,925 km (1,818 miles). A nonstop flight takes about 4 h 10 min. By road the trip is about 4,000 km.

🇿🇦 → 🇰🇪

Johannesburg, South Africa to Nairobi, Kenya
Straight-line distance
2,925 km
1,818 miles
Flight time
4h 10m
Nonstop, approximate
Direction
North
From Johannesburg (20°)
Time difference
1 h
UTC+2 vs UTC+3

Route Map

City Information

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Johannesburg

South Africa
Population: about 4.8 million (City of Johannesburg, 2022 census); larger Gauteng urban region
Airport: O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Time Zone: UTC+2
Language: English, isiZulu, Afrikaans, Sesotho
Currency: South African rand (ZAR)
🇰🇪

Nairobi

Kenya
Population: about 5 million (metropolitan area)
Airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Time Zone: UTC+3
Language: English, Swahili
Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)

About This Route

2,925 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 Johannesburg, Nairobi lies to the north.

Flights

Kenya Airways operates nonstop flights between O.R. Tambo and Jomo Kenyatta; the flight takes about 4 hours.

The flight time shown (4 h 10 min) assumes a nonstop flight at an average of 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Airports: O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).

By Road and Land Borders

An overland trip of about 4,000 km is possible via Zimbabwe or Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania (Tunduma and Namanga borders), taking a week or more. It is an overlanding route rather than a practical way to travel between the two cities.

About Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa's largest city and economic centre, founded after the 1886 Witwatersrand gold rush. O.R. Tambo is the busiest airport in Africa by passenger numbers in most years and the main hub for southern Africa.

Highlights: Apartheid Museum, Soweto, Constitution Hill, Maboneng, Cradle of Humankind (UNESCO) nearby

About Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya's capital and East Africa's main business and aviation hub (home of Kenya Airways). Nairobi National Park lies inside the city limits, a few kilometres from the airport.

Highlights: Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Museum

Practical Tips

  • Time: Nairobi is 1 hour ahead of Johannesburg.
  • Currency: Johannesburg uses the South African rand (ZAR); Nairobi uses the Kenyan shilling (KES).
  • Visas: Entry rules between South Africa and Kenya depend on your nationality; check our visa requirements tool and official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Johannesburg from Nairobi?

Johannesburg is 2,925 km (1,818 miles) from Nairobi in a straight line. By road the distance is about 4,000 km.

How long is the flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi?

A nonstop flight takes about 4 h 10 min, based on 2,925 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 Johannesburg to Nairobi by road?

Only as an overland expedition of about 4,000 km through Zimbabwe or Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania, taking a week or more.

What is the time difference between Johannesburg and Nairobi?

Nairobi is 1 hour ahead of Johannesburg.

Related Routes and Guides

Use the distance calculator for any other pair of African cities, or see the list of distance pages.