Getting Around Rwanda
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient buses for Kigali and major towns. Rural: Rent a car for Volcanoes National Park exploration. Lakes: Buses and boat services. For convenience, book airport transfers from Kigali to your destination.
Bus Travel
RITCO National Buses
Efficient and affordable bus network connecting all major cities with frequent services.
Cost: Kigali to Gisenyi RWF 3,000-5,000, journeys under 3 hours between most cities.
Tickets: Buy via RITCO app, website, or station counters. Mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid 6-8 AM and 4-6 PM for better prices and seats.
Bus Passes
Multi-journey cards offer 10 trips anywhere in Rwanda for RWF 20,000 (under 26) or standard pass RWF 30,000 (all ages).
Best For: Multiple city visits over several days, significant savings for 3+ trips.
Where to Buy: Bus stations, RITCO website, or official app with instant activation.
Express Options
Volcanoes Express and private shuttles connect Kigali to Musanze, Rubavu, and Huye.
Booking: Reserve seats days in advance for best prices, discounts up to 20%.
Kigali Stations: Main station is Nyabugogo, with connections to Remera bus park.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring Volcanoes National Park and rural areas. Compare rental prices from $40-60/day at Kigali Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-23.
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage recommended, check what's included in rental.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 100 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal on major roads like Kigali-Musanze, occasional checkpoints.
Priority: Give way to right unless signposted otherwise, pedestrians in urban areas.
Parking: Free in many areas, paid lots RWF 500-1,000/hour in Kigali.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations plentiful at RWF 1,500-1,800/liter for petrol, RWF 1,400-1,600 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for navigation, both work well offline.
Traffic: Expect congestion in Kigali during rush hours and around markets.
Urban Transport
Kigali Buses & Minibuses
Extensive network covering the city, single ticket RWF 300, day pass RWF 1,000, 10-journey card RWF 2,500.
Validation: Pay conductor upon boarding, no tickets needed, inspections rare.
Apps: RSTA app for routes, real-time updates, and mobile payments.
Moto-Taxis (Taxis-Voitures)
Ubiquitous motorcycle taxis in Kigali and towns, RWF 500-1,000 per short ride with helmets mandatory.
Routes: Negotiate fares upfront, ideal for quick urban hops and hilly terrain.
Safety: Official motos wear vests, avoid overloading for safer rides.
Taxis & Local Services
Yego Cabs and local taxis operate comprehensive networks in Kigali and secondary cities.
Tickets: RWF 1,000-2,000 per ride, use apps for fixed pricing and tracking.
Boat Services: Ferries on Lake Kivu, RWF 500-2,000 depending on distance.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus stations in cities for easy access, central Kigali or Musanze for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (June-Sep) and gorilla permits.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable rain travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 4G coverage in cities, 3G in most rural Rwanda including national parks.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
MTN Rwanda, Airtel, and Tigo offer prepaid SIMs from RWF 5,000-10,000 with good coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for RWF 7,500, 10GB for RWF 12,000, unlimited for RWF 15,000/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and most public spaces.
Public Hotspots: Major bus stations and tourist areas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally fast (10-50 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Kigali Airport 5km from city center, taxi RWF 10,000 (15 min), or book private transfer for $20-30.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus stations (RWF 2,000-5,000/day) and dedicated services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and taxis improving, many rural sites have limited access due to terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses (small free, large RWF 2,000), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on buses off-peak for RWF 1,000, folding bikes free anytime.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Rwanda
Kigali International Airport (KGL) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Kigali International (KGL): Primary international gateway, 5km south of city center with taxi connections.
Bugesera Airport (KBU): New regional hub 10km from Kigali, bus to city RWF 2,000 (30 min).
Kamembe Airport (KME): Small airport in southwest with limited regional flights, convenient for Lake Kivu.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season travel (June-Sep) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Entebbe or Nairobi and taking bus to Rwanda for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, and Fastjet serve Kigali with African and European connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee RWF 1,000-2,000, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels and cities, cash preferred in rural areas.
- Contactless Payment: Growing in urban spots, mobile money like MTN MoMo widely used.
- Cash: Essential for markets, small cafes, and rural areas, keep RWF 20,000-50,000 in small denominations.
- Tipping: Not customary but appreciated, add 5-10% for excellent service in upscale places.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.