Flying from Washington DC to Nairobi: what you need to know
Planning your flight from Washington DC to Nairobi begins with finding the most convenient airport to kick off your trip. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are the main departure points in Washington DC.
When it comes to working out where to land in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are the chief entry points.
The timezone in Nairobi is UTC+3, which is seven hours ahead of Washington DC.
Give yourself enough time to catch your Washington DC to Nairobi flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Getting away during a peak month like February? High seasons (like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year) can easily add an hour at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Nairobi
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Washington DC to Nairobi flights if you book in advance. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird rates.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price in every month when looking for your plane ticket from Washington DC to Nairobi.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Washington DC to Nairobi.
Save on your Washington DC to Nairobi flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Finding a stopover on your Washington DC to Nairobi flight is easy. Whether you want to potentially save money on your fare or visit a new city, just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to see your options. A popular stop when departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport is John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Located around 4 miles from central Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel near Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Washington DC to Nairobi, these stays will have you sleeping nice and close to your departure gate:
Of the flights that depart from Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% land on time at their destination.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Get more out of your vacation with a stopover on your Washington DC to Nairobi flight. Visit friends or family or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you want to do, here's where you can stop between Washington Dulles International Airport and Nairobi:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
IAD is about 25 miles from central Washington DC. It takes 50 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Washington DC to Nairobi? Check in to a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport before your adventure officially starts. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
74.39% of all departures from Washington Dulles International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Whether just for an hour or two or a handful of days, a stopover can make your journey feel a bit less hectic. When flying out of Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), you can book a ticket from Washington DC to Nairobi stopping at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
From the center of Washington DC, BWI is around 25 miles away. It takes roughly 50 minutes to reach the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you use public transport.
Take the 'what ifs' out of departure day — stay close to Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll reach the terminal with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Washington DC to Nairobi flight:
The on-time performance rating of BWI is 77.13%. In simpler terms, that's how frequently flights departing this airport reach their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
The distance from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi is roughly 7 miles. It'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the center driving.
When traveling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Washington DC to Nairobi. Check in to one of these accommodation options near NBO instead:
Pick up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car and discover Nairobi and beyond with your own wheels. Auto-Union, Green Motion and Hertz are leading providers to choose from here.
To get the best deal, reserve your ride from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around three weeks ahead of your Washington DC to Nairobi flight.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
After your flight from Washington DC to Nairobi has touched down, you can get to the city center in around 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is roughly 1 mile from Wilson Airport (WIL).
You can expect the trip to take roughly 45 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel near WIL. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Washington DC to Nairobi:
Grab a Wilson Airport rental car and set the course for your next destination. You can choose from top companies like Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car.
Avoid the long lines and paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from WIL in advance so you can simply pick up the keys and get on your way.
Best time to go to Nairobi
February is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Nairobi, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to visit Nairobi based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Nairobi is March, with temperatures ranging between 57ºF and 86ºF. Lock in your Washington DC to Nairobi ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
If you like traveling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Washington DC to Nairobi in July when temperatures average between 54ºF and 75ºF.
More about Nairobi
Start your Nairobi trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Washington DC to Nairobi, explore our range of accommodation options including:
Nairobi National Park and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are just a couple of the leading attractions to put on your Nairobi itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top.
Explore more of Kenya
You've done Nairobi, now it's time to explore other corners of Kenya. Travel around 270 miles south-east to Mombasa to check off its must-visit sights. From Fort Jesus to Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're ready to explore another corner of Kenya, head for Nakuru, roughly 90 miles north-west of Nairobi. ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest are among its highlights.