Cape Town to Nairobi
5h 31m The flight from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) covers 4,101 km (2,548 miles) and takes approximately 5h 31m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 32°, passing near 17.9° S, 28.6° E at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 7h 27m | 7h 53m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 5h 15m | 5h 41m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 4h 33m | 4h 59m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 4h 49m | 5h 15m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| CPT | NBO | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cape Town International Airport | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport |
| City | Cape Town | Nairobi |
| Country | South Africa | Kenya |
| ICAO | FACT | HKJK |
| Coordinates | -33.974, 18.6043 | -1.3189, 36.9282 |
| Elevation | 151 ft | 5,330 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cape Town to Nairobi?
A non-stop flight from Cape Town (CPT) to Nairobi (NBO) takes about 5h 31m. The great-circle distance is 4,101 km (2,548 miles, 2,214 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 32°.
How far is Cape Town from Nairobi?
4,101 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 2,548 miles or 2,214 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between CPT and NBO?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 4,101 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
Other routes from Cape Town
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.