Kigali to Bujumbura flights
Bujumbura lies 177 km (110 mi) south-west of Kigali, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 59 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.
| Kigali | Bujumbura | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Rwanda | Burundi |
| Population | 1.1 million | 769,317 |
| Elevation | 1,542 m (5,059 ft) | 807 m (2,648 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Kigali) | UTC+2 (Africa/Bujumbura) |
| Nearest large airport | KGL, 9 km out | BJM, 8 km out |
What changes when you arrive in Bujumbura
Crossing from Rwanda into Burundi: money changes from the Franc to the Franc (BIF); sockets are Euro, Type E; the dialling code becomes +257; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648804.
Airports at each end
Leaving Kigali
Kigali is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Kigali International Airport (KGL), 9 km (6 mi) from the centre, whose 11,483-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Goma International Airport (GOM, 97 km).
Arriving in Bujumbura
Bujumbura is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Bujumbura Melchior Ndadaye International Airport (BJM), 8 km (5 mi) from the centre, whose 11,811-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Gitega Airport (GID, 61 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bujumbura Melchior Ndadaye International Airport | BJM | 8 km (5 mi) | 11,811 ft | 2,582 ft |
| Gitega Airport (regional) | GID | 61 km (38 mi) | 3,248 ft | 5,741 ft |
Book a flight to Bujumbura
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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 Bujumbura
Our booking partner lists 53 places to stay in Bujumbura. Of the 29 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (18), and 1 are five-star. Guests have left 1,049 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Bujumbura
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 Bujumbura from Kigali?
177 km (110 mi) in a straight line, south-west of Kigali.
How long does it take to get from Kigali to Bujumbura by air?
About 59 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Kigali and Bujumbura?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for Kigali to Bujumbura flights?
Typically Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Bujumbura Melchior Ndadaye International Airport (BJM); Bujumbura also has GID.
What currency do I need in Bujumbura?
The Franc (BIF).
Where can I stay in Bujumbura?
Our booking partner lists 53 places to stay in Bujumbura, bookable on this site.
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.