Collecting a rental car at Kigali International Airport is straightforward — but knowing what to expect before you land makes the arrival process faster and stress-free. This guide covers the full KGL arrival and car rental pickup experience.
Kigali International Airport — arrival basics
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| IATA Code | KGL |
| Full name | Kigali International Airport (formerly Gregoire Kayibanda) |
| Location | Kanombe, 15 km east of Kigali city centre |
| Airlines | RwandAir, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian, Brussels Airlines, Qatar, KLM, Turkish |
| Arrival hall | Single terminal — arrivals on ground floor |
| ATMs | Available in arrivals — USD, RWF dispensed |
| SIM cards | MTN and Airtel kiosks at arrivals exit — buy before leaving |
| Currency exchange | Forex desk in arrivals — open for all international flights |
The rental car pickup process at KGL
- Clear immigration and collect your luggage — typically 20-40 minutes after landing
- Exit through customs — declare any items as required; surrender all plastic bags at exit
- Your driver will be in the arrivals hall past the exit doors with a name board
- Follow your driver to the vehicle — usually parked in the short-stay area outside arrivals
- Complete rental paperwork and vehicle inspection — 10-15 minutes
- Briefing on vehicle and route — 5-10 minutes
- Drive away
What to do immediately on arrival at KGL
- Buy a local SIM card — MTN or Airtel kiosks are at the arrivals exit, before you reach the main doors. Costs approximately 3,000 RWF ($3) with starter data. Essential for Google Maps navigation.
- Withdraw cash (RWF) — ATMs in arrivals dispense Rwandan Francs. National park fees can be paid by card, but cash is useful for markets, food stops and tips.
- Change USD if needed — the forex desk offers reasonable rates. Major USD notes ($50, $100) get better rates than small bills.
- Do not bring plastic bags into Rwanda — Rwanda’s plastic bag ban is enforced at customs. Surrender them at the exit or before boarding your flight to Rwanda.
Driving from KGL to Kigali city — first-time tips
- The airport is 15 km east of the city on the RN3 highway
- Drive on the right — this is the first thing to think about if coming from Uganda or Tanzania
- Speed cameras are active on the airport road — keep to 60 km/h or below
- Traffic is heaviest into Kigali 7-9am and 5-7pm — allow extra time
- Google Maps works well on the airport road — have your hotel address saved before landing
Flying into KGL? Book your airport pickup with your flight number and arrival time and we’ll track it in real time — no charge for delays.