Nairobi to Machala flights
Machala lies 12,970 km (8,059 mi) west of Nairobi, -8 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 17 h 23 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.
| Nairobi | Machala | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Kenya | Ecuador |
| Population | 4.4 million | 289,141 |
| Elevation | 1,684 m (5,525 ft) | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Africa/Nairobi) | UTC-5 (America/Guayaquil) |
| Nearest large airport | NBO, 13 km out | ETR, 21 km out |
Clocks in Machala are 8 h behind Nairobi right now, so a 17 h 23 min journey lands only 9 h 23 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Machala
Crossing from Kenya into Ecuador: money changes from the Shilling to the Dollar (USD); traffic switches to the right; sockets are NEMA 1-15, NEMA 5-15; the dialling code becomes +593; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648794 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648798.
Airports at each end
Leaving Nairobi
Nairobi is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 13 km (8 mi) from the centre, whose 13,507-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL, 4 km).
Arriving in Machala
Machala is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Santa Rosa - Artillery Colonel Victor Larrea International Airport (ETR), 21 km (13 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 8,625 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Captain Pedro Canga Rodríguez International Airport (TBP, 57 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa - Artillery Colonel Victor Larrea International Airport (regional) | ETR | 21 km (13 mi) | 8,625 ft | 20 ft |
| Captain Pedro Canga Rodríguez International Airport (regional) | TBP | 57 km (35 mi) | 8,202 ft | 115 ft |
One end has no runway over 10,000 ft, so at 12,970 km (8,059 mi) this pair is unlikely to be flown nonstop by a wide-body; expect a connection.
Book a flight to Machala
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Staying in Machala
Live rooms and prices for Machala are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Machala
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Common questions
How far is Machala from Nairobi?
12,970 km (8,059 mi) in a straight line, west of Nairobi.
How long does it take to get from Nairobi to Machala by air?
About 17 h 23 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Nairobi and Machala?
Machala is 8 h behind at the moment (America/Guayaquil against Africa/Nairobi).
Which airports are used for Nairobi to Machala flights?
Typically Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Santa Rosa - Artillery Colonel Victor Larrea International Airport (ETR); Machala also has TBP.
What currency do I need in Machala?
The Dollar (USD).
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.