Arusha to Mbale flights
Mbale lies 568 km (353 mi) north-west of Arusha, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 29 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.
| Arusha | Mbale | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Tanzania | Uganda |
| Population | 617,631 | 111,300 |
| Elevation | 1,415 m (4,642 ft) | 1,125 m (3,691 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam) | UTC+3 (Africa/Kampala) |
| Nearest large airport | JRO, 44 km out | SRT, 94 km out |
What changes when you arrive in Mbale
Crossing from Tanzania into Uganda: money changes from the Shilling to the Shilling (UGX); sockets are BS 1363; the dialling code becomes +256; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q3086706.
Airports at each end
Leaving Arusha
Arusha is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 44 km (27 mi) from the centre, whose 11,811-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Arusha Airport (ARK, 6 km).
Arriving in Mbale
Mbale is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Soroti Airport (SRT), 94 km (58 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 6,100 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soroti Airport (regional) | SRT | 94 km (58 mi) | 6,100 ft | 3,697 ft |
Book a flight to Mbale
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Staying in Mbale
Live rooms and prices for Mbale are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Mbale
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 Mbale from Arusha?
568 km (353 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Arusha.
How long does it take to get from Arusha to Mbale by air?
About 1 h 29 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Arusha and Mbale?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for Arusha to Mbale flights?
Typically Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Soroti Airport (SRT).
What currency do I need in Mbale?
The Shilling (UGX).
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.