Abuja to Gao flights
Gao lies 1,145 km (712 mi) north-west of Abuja, -1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 2 h 13 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Abuja | Gao | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria | Mali |
| Population | 2.7 million | 133,110 |
| Elevation | 476 m (1,562 ft) | 257 m (843 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+1 (Africa/Lagos) | UTC+0 (Africa/Bamako) |
| Nearest large airport | ABV, 26 km out | GAQ, 5 km out |
Clocks in Gao are 1 h behind Abuja right now, so a 2 h 13 min journey lands only 1 h 13 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Gao
Crossing from Nigeria into Mali: money changes from the Naira to the Franc (XOF); sockets are Euro, Type E; the dialling code becomes +223; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648842.
Airports at each end
Leaving Abuja
Abuja is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), 26 km (16 mi) from the centre, whose 11,842-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
Arriving in Gao
Gao is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Gao International Airport (GAQ), 5 km (3 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 8,202 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gao International Airport (regional) | GAQ | 5 km (3 mi) | 8,202 ft | 870 ft |
Book a flight to Gao
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Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Gao
Live rooms and prices for Gao are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Gao
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Gao from Abuja?
1,145 km (712 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Abuja.
How long does it take to get from Abuja to Gao by air?
About 2 h 13 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Abuja and Gao?
Gao is 1 h behind at the moment (Africa/Bamako against Africa/Lagos).
Which airports are used for Abuja to Gao flights?
Typically Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) to Gao International Airport (GAQ).
What currency do I need in Gao?
The Franc (XOF).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.