Flying from Bujumbura Airport (BJM) to Kigali Airport (KGL): what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 45 minutes.
Kigali's timezone is UTC+2, which is the same as Bujumbura.
Flights from BJM to KGL start from 15:45 — the earliest with RwandAir. The latest departure is at 16:05 with RwandAir. In total, you can choose from seven weekly Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport flights.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your BJM to KGL flight.
Travelling during a peak time like September? Major public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
RwandAir is your gateway to exploring Kigali (and maybe even some other exciting corners of Rwanda!). Browse the direct flights from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport offered by this carrier.
The airline with the highest booking volume on this route is RwandAir.
RwandAir is the most punctual carrier that operates BJM to KGL flights.
If you want to add a stop to your trip, just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport. These are the most popular stopovers between BJM and KGL:
Addis Ababa Airport
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport
Entebbe Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Bujumbura Airport (BJM) to Kigali Airport (KGL)
At the moment, $373 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is $474. Remember that fares could change due to availability when booking.
Score cheap tickets from BJM to KGL by booking four months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
September is the cheapest month for flights from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest airfares for every month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from BJM to KGL by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals on flights from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport.
Handy information about Bujumbura Airport (BJM)
When it comes to Bujumbura Airport's on-time performance, data shows 64% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Bujumbura Airport is about 6 kilometres from central Bujumbura. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
The journey when using public transport usually takes 25 minutes.
Need a convenient hotel near BJM? If you're catching an early flight from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at Kigali Airport (KGL)
The last thing you want is a lengthy trip to your hotel if you're arriving on a late Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport flight. Book one of these accommodation options near KGL instead:
Grab a Kigali Airport rental car and explore places that require a little more effort to reach. Europcar and Green Motion can hook you up with a set of wheels for your adventures through Kigali and beyond.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Kigali Airport around one week ahead of your departure.
Getting from Kigali Airport (KGL) to central Kigali
Kigali Airport is roughly 11 kilometres from the centre of Kigali. The drive time takes around 25 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 45 minutes.
When to fly to Kigali Airport (KGL)
The quietest month for a flight from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport is March, while August is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Kigali based on whether you prefer a faster pace or a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Kigali is August, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your flights from Bujumbura Airport to Kigali Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from BJM to KGL in December. Average temperatures are between 14ºC (57ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF) then.
Explore more of Rwanda
While Kigali is a great introduction to Rwanda, more adventures await you in Butare. Located about 80 kilometres to the south-west, this exciting city has loads of things to see and do, including Ngoma Genocide Memorial and Cyarwa 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi Memorial.



