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Getting There & Away in Kampala

How do you get to Kampala?

Getting There3.9/10Harder to reach than about 70% of cities
Main airport
Entebbe International Airport (EBB)

Updated September 2026 · Sources cited: travelmath.com, welcomepickups.com

Good to know

Good to Know

  • Entebbe International Airport is the only major airport serving Kampala; some domestic flights also depart from Kajjansi Airport.
  • Always use official airport taxis or pre-arranged transfers to avoid overcharging; paying in local currency avoids foreign exchange surcharges.
  • Kampala lacks long-distance rail passenger service; buses and shared minibuses are the primary intercity transport options.
  • The new Mukono–Kampala commuter train (launched November 2024) is currently the only operating passenger rail service; the future Standard Gauge Railway is still under construction with no firm passenger service date.
  • Boda bodas are extremely cheap and fast for short trips within the city, especially during traffic congestion, but carry higher accident risk.
  • Lake Victoria ferries mainly serve freight and island connectivity; ferry-based passenger routes to major cities are not currently viable from Kampala.
  • Day trips to Jinja (Source of the Nile) and nearby swamps/sanctuaries are feasible within a few hours and popular with tourists.
  • Road transport dominates; book bus tickets a day in advance for longer intercity journeys.
  • Uber operates in Kampala; Safe Boda app also available for motorcycle transport.

Intercity Bus

Key Routes

  • Kampala to Jinja
    Distance Km
    70

    Typical Fares

    Amount USD Max
    4
    Amount USD Min
    1
    Currency Local
    UGX
    Amount Local Max
    15000
    Amount Local Min
    5000
  • Kampala to Nairobi, Kenya
    Distance Km
    657
    Travel Hours
    12

    Typical Fares

    Amount USD Max
    43
    Amount USD Min
    14
    Currency Local
    UGX
    Amount Local Max
    150000
    Amount Local Min
    50000
  • Kampala to Kigali, Rwanda
    Distance Km
    509
    Travel Hours
    8

    Typical Fares

    Amount USD Max
    43
    Amount USD Min
    14
    Currency Local
    UGX
    Amount Local Max
    150000
    Amount Local Min
    50000

Typical Fares Range

Amount USD Max
43
Amount USD Min
3
Currency Local
UGX
Amount Local Max
150000
Amount Local Min
10000
Note
Depends on distance, class, and operator. Day and night services available.

Day Trips Nearby

  • Jinja
    Transport
    Bus, taxi, or private car rental
    Highlights
    Source of the Nile, Ssezibwa Falls, white-water rafting, bungee jumping
    Distance Km
    70
    Travel Time Hours
    1
  • Mabamba Swamp
    Transport
    Private guide/tour operator
    Highlights
    Shoebill stork birding, canoe tours through wetland
    Distance Km
    South of Entebbe (near Lake Victoria)
    Travel Time Hours
    1
  • Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
    Transport
    Private car rental or organized tour
    Highlights
    On-foot rhino tracking, only place in Uganda to see rhinos
    Distance Km
    176
    Travel Time Hours
    3
  • Lake Mburo National Park
    Transport
    Private car rental or organized safari tour
    Highlights
    Closest wildlife safari destination from Kampala, wildlife viewing
    Distance Km
    240
    Travel Time Hours
    4
  • Entebbe
    Transport
    Bus or taxi
    Highlights
    Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre, botanical gardens, Lake Victoria shoreline
    Distance Km
    45
    Travel Time Hours
    1

Ferry Water Transport

Note
Lake Victoria is Uganda's principal waterway. Most ferry service is for freight and island connectivity rather than general passenger transport from Kampala.

Lake Victoria Ferries

  • Kalangala Infrastructure Services Ltd
    Cost
    Free (designated road extension under UNRA policy)
    Route
    Bukakata (Masaka) to Kalangala District (Bugala Island)
    Vessels
    MV Pearl, MV Ssese
    Note
    Ro-ro ferries also carry vehicles. Capacity: ~180 passengers plus ~20 vehicles.
  • Uganda Railways Corporation / Private Operators
    Route
    Port Bell (Kampala area) to Mwanza, Tanzania
    Service Type
    Freight and cargo; limited passenger options
    Note
    Commercial freight service. Cargo boat transport with 18-hour journey available for vehicles and drivers (~$150 USD estimated).

Airport

Name
Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
Note
Main international and domestic airport serving Kampala. Code: EBB (ICAO: HUEN). Approximately 20+ airlines operate from this airport.

Distance From City Center

Miles
28
Kilometers
45

Railway

Historical Note
Most old metre-gauge railway infrastructure no longer operates for passengers; freight services only on Port Bell to Kampala industrial line.

Future Planned

Route
Kampala to Malaba (Kenya border)
Status
Under construction as of November 2024
Project
Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
Distance Km
273
Expected Completion
Not yet finalized
Note
Strategic project to link Uganda to Kenya's SGR and Indian Ocean via Mombasa. No passenger service dates announced.

Current Service

Route
Mukono to Kampala commuter service
Status
Limited operational
Operator
Uganda Railways Corporation (URC)
Launch Date
November 2024
Note
New commuter train service with morning and evening trips between Mukono and Kampala. First step toward broader rail expansion.

Airport Ground Transport

Taxi To City Center
UGX 100,000

Official airport taxis charge fixed rates. Meter taxis also available. Negotiate or pay in local currency to avoid surcharges.

Ride Hailing

Note
Uber and Safe Boda available in Kampala for city transport

Ground Transport Within City

Bus

Note
Pioneer Easy Bus and other operators offer city routes at 1,000–5,000 UGX

Taxi

Note
Shared and private taxis widely available. Base fare typically 4,000 UGX; 2,000 UGX per km. Negotiate fares beforehand for longer journeys.

Boda Boda

Note
Motorcycle or bicycle taxis. Very cheap for short distances (from 1 USD / ~3,500 UGX). Fast option during rush hours.

Matatu Minibus

Note
Shared minibuses for city routes. Extremely affordable, typically 1,000–5,000 UGX per journey.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.travelmath.com
  2. 2.welcomepickups.com
  3. 3.airporttransfers.co.ug
  4. 4.gobytaxi.com
  5. 5.entebbeairportexpress.com
  6. 6.entebbeairportexpress.com
  7. 7.safari-in-uganda.com
  8. 8.urc.go.ug
  9. 9.chimpreports.com
  10. 10.en.wikipedia.org
  11. 11.railway.supply
  12. 12.pmaesa.org
  13. 13.en.wikipedia.org
  14. 14.kabiraugandasafaris.com
  15. 15.eastafricantrails.com
  16. 16.mamalandsafaris.com
  17. 17.chooseugandasafaris.com

More About Kampala

Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.