Distance from Lagos to Nairobi

The straight-line (great-circle) distance from Lagos, Nigeria to Nairobi, Kenya is 3,811 km (2,368 miles). A nonstop flight takes about 5 h 15 min.

🇳🇬 → 🇰🇪

Lagos, Nigeria to Nairobi, Kenya
Straight-line distance
3,811 km
2,368 miles
Flight time
5h 15m
Nonstop, approximate
Direction
East
From Lagos (102°)
Time difference
2 h
UTC+1 vs UTC+3

Route Map

City Information

🇳🇬

Lagos

Nigeria
Population: about 16 million (metropolitan area, UN estimate)
Airport: Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS)
Time Zone: UTC+1
Language: English; Yoruba widely spoken
Currency: Nigerian naira (NGN)
🇰🇪

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

3,811 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 Lagos, Nairobi lies to the east.

Flights

Kenya Airways flies nonstop between Lagos and Nairobi (about 5 hours). One-stop options via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) are also common.

The flight time shown (5 h 15 min) assumes a nonstop flight at an average of 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Airports: Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).

By Road and Land Borders

There is no practical overland route: the journey would cross Cameroon, the Central African Republic or Chad, and DR Congo or South Sudan, with long stretches of poor roads and serious security risks. Travel is by air.

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.

Highlights: Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Tarkwa Bay Beach, National Museum (Onikan)

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 2 hours ahead of Lagos.
  • Currency: Lagos uses the Nigerian naira (NGN); Nairobi uses the Kenyan shilling (KES).
  • Visas: Entry rules between Nigeria and Kenya depend on your nationality; check our visa requirements tool and official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Lagos from Nairobi?

Lagos is 3,811 km (2,368 miles) from Nairobi in a straight line. There is no practical road route between the two cities.

How long is the flight from Lagos to Nairobi?

A nonstop flight takes about 5 h 15 min, based on 3,811 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 Lagos to Nairobi by road?

Not in practice; the overland route crosses Central Africa with poor roads and serious security risks. Travellers fly.

What is the time difference between Lagos and Nairobi?

Nairobi is 2 hours ahead of Lagos.

Related Routes and Guides

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