Getting to Kigali and Around by Bus, Taxi and Moto

Arriving in Kigali and moving between its hilltop neighbourhoods is remarkably smooth compared with other East African capitals. Traffic rules are enforced, motorbike taxi riders carry spare passenger helmets and smart meters, and public buses operate on a cashless card system.

From Kigali International Airport (KGL) to central ridges

Kigali International Airport sits in the eastern suburb of Kanombe, roughly ten kilometres from the Kigali Convention Centre in Kimihurura and twelve kilometres from the central ridge in Kiyovu. Because the airport is inside the city boundary, transfers take only 15 to 25 minutes:

• Official Airport Taxis and Yego Cabs: metered cream-and-orange or white taxis queue outside the arrivals concourse day and night; fares are calculated transparently by distance on the dashboard Yego meter, or your hotel in Kiyovu, Kimihurura or Kacyiru can arrange a named driver pickup.
• Public Tap&Go Bus from Kanombe: if you are travelling light during the day, city buses run along the main airport road toward Remera, Kimihurura and downtown Nyarugenge, though you will need a pre-loaded Tap&Go card before boarding.

Getting around Kigali: moto-taxis, Yego cabs and Tap&Go buses

Because Kigali's sights sit on separate hills separated by steep valleys, walking from Gisozi hill to Nyamirambo involves tiring climbs under the equatorial sun. Instead, locals combine three regulated transport modes:

• Moto-taxis (including electric Ampersand and Spiro bikes): the fastest way to hop from ridge to ridge. Every licensed rider wears a numbered vest, carries a sanitised passenger helmet, and uses a digital Yego Moto meter on the handlebars.
• Yego Cabs and Volkswagen Move ride-hailing: call a metered car through the Yego phone line or app, or book a saloon car via the Move app for evening dinners and rainy afternoons.
• Tap&Go city buses: buy a rechargeable Tap&Go smartcard from agents in green vests at major bus stops (such as Downtown, Nyabugogo or Remera) and tap on the reader as you step aboard.

Intercity coaches and 4x4 hire for national parks

Regional buses to Musanze (for Volcanoes National Park), Rubavu (Lake Kivu) and Huye depart from Nyabugogo Bus Terminal in the western valley. For day trips to Akagera National Park, hire a 4x4 safari vehicle with a driver-guide.