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Welcome to my guide to traveling from Entebbe to Kampala!
Kampala is around 45km from Entebbe, but it can take anywhere from 40 minutes to several hours to reach your destination, depending on how you travel and where in the capital city you’re going.
I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve traveled between Entebbe and Kampala, which is why I decided to put together this handy guide for all incoming travelers.
You basically have five options when it comes to traveling from Entebbe to Kampala – private taxi, public taxi, motorcycle taxi (boda-boda), self-drive, or hotel pickup, and your choice will be largely dependent on your budget.
In what remains of this article, I explain the different modes of transport available to you to help you plan correctly before traveling from Entebbe to Kampala.
Traveling from Entebbe to Kampala: 5 options
The good news is that there are five options for traveling from Entebbe to Kampala, and you can make your decision based on your budget and desired comfort levels! So, let’s take a look at your options:
Option #1: Private taxi
Approximate price: $30 – $40
As is the case in most parts of the world, one of the easiest ways to travel from Entebbe to Kampala is to hire a private taxi. There is a taxi hub at Entebbe International Airport, and you can easily hop in a cab that will take you directly to wherever you want to go in Kampala.
A private taxi from Entebbe airport to Kampala will cost approximately 115,000 to 150,000 UGX ($30 – $40), but it really depends on where in Kampala you’re going, as it’s a big place!
If you’re in Entebbe town, the best place to get a taxi to Kampala is immediately outside Victoria Mall, where taxis wait throughout the day.
It’s always better to have an exact destination in mind when you’re hopping in a cab from Entebbe to Kampala, as this will help you to negotiate the best possible price. Also, make sure that the taxi driver knows the destination!
If you’re staying at an Airbnb or a small, relatively unknown hotel, you will need to tell your taxi driver which area it’s in and what landmarks are nearby.
Ultimately, private taxis from Entebbe to Kampala are safe and affordable and are perhaps the best way to travel between the two destinations.
Option #2: Public taxi
Approximate price: $3 – $4
If you’re traveling in Uganda on a budget, the best way to get from Entebbe to Kampala is via a public taxi. Known as matatus in some parts of East Africa, public taxis are white minivans that shuttle passengers between destinations by following pre-determined routes.
A public taxi from Entebbe to Kampala should cost no more than 15,000 UGX ($3 – $4), but again, it depends on where you’re going in town.
One thing you should be aware of about getting in a public taxi is that you really need to know where you’re going for this mode of transport to be viable. Most public taxis take the old Entebbe road into Kampala (as opposed to the new toll road), and as soon as the urban sprawl of Kampala starts, it can be difficult to know where you are and where you need to get off!
If you’re determined to travel in a public taxi to save money and you don’t know Kampala, I recommend speaking to the driver before boarding. You can ask the driver if he can inform you when you get to your destination, which they have done for me in the past.
The best place to pick up a public taxi from Entebbe to Kampala is across from Victoria Mall at the Entebbe taxi stage. Failing that, you will see taxis hurtling along the main road at all hours, and you can easily get them to stop to pick you up.
There’s very limited space in public taxis, and they’re not particularly comfortable if you have lots of luggage with you. But still, public taxi is the cheapest way to travel from Entebbe to Kampala, so it makes sense if you’re on a tight budget.
Option #3: Motorcycle taxi (Boda-Boda)
Approximate price: $13 – $24
One of the primary means of transport in urban areas in Uganda is the boda-boda, also known as a motorcycle taxi. You can hop on the back of a boda-boda to move short distances, and it can be a viable method of transport for negotiating your way through Kampala’s notorious traffic jams.
The cost of a motorcycle taxi from Kampala to Entebbe depends on various factors, but you should plan for between 50,000 – 90,000 UGX ($13 – $24), depending on where you’re going.
While they can seem like a lot of fun, boda-bodas don’t have the best safety record, and you need to take some precautions if you decide to travel from Entebbe to Kampala on the back of a motorcycle.
The best way to travel via boda-boda from Entebbe to Kampala is to download an app called SafeBoda. SafeBoda riders adhere to much higher safety standards than unregistered boda drivers, and the app works just like Uber.
This also takes the element of negotiation out of your trip, as you can see how much you’re going to be charged for the proposed trip before boarding.
So, it is possible to travel from Entebbe to Kampala via boda-boda, but it’s best to download the SafeBoda app for iOS or Android if you plan on traveling to the capital city in this way. You can then use the app as you move around Kampala during your stay.
Option #4: Self-drive
Approximate price: $40 (plus fuel)
Depending on your itinerary in Uganda, you might want to hire a car and drive from Entebbe to Kampala yourself. This is a particularly good option if you’re planning to go on safari or wish to travel to other destinations outside of Kampala.
Although you don’t have a great deal of choice when it comes to car hire in Uganda, I highly recommend the guys over at Road Trip Africa, having used them several times in the past.
Their car hire starts at around $40 per day for a Rav4, which is the ideal car for traveling from Entebbe to Kampala.
If you’ve never driven independently in East Africa, proceed with caution if you choose to get behind the wheel in Uganda! Many of the road rules that you’re familiar with don’t seem to apply in Kampala, and you need to be on full alert when driving through the city!
You should also make sure that you have your license with you at all times while in the car, as you might be stopped by police for a document check.
Option #5: Hotel pickup
Approximate price: $30 – $40 (Similar to a private taxi, but depends on the location of your hotel)
Last but not least, a good option is to arrange a transfer with the hotel that you’re staying at. Lots of hotels in Kampala can arrange a transfer from Entebbe to the city for a fee, and it can take a lot of the hassle out of trying to arrange transport when you arrive in Uganda.
As is the case when hopping in a private taxi, make sure you agree to the price of the transfer in advance, and be sure to arrange a pickup point if you want to take your transfer anywhere other than the airport.
Recap: Traveling from Entebbe to Kampala as a tourist
As you can see, there are several ways to travel from Entebbe to Kampala, and the option that you take largely depends on your budget.
The cheapest option is to use a public taxi, but it’s not the most comfortable! In my experience, taking a private taxi from Entebbe to Kampala is the best option, and it’s the one I would recommend above all others.
Wondering how to get from Entebbe International Airport to your hotel? Read our handy guide to the best ways to travel from Entebbe airport to your temporary accommodation!
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