N'djili International Airport is the Democratic Republic of Congo's main airport, located approximately 25 km east of downtown Kinshasa, the capital.
Given the country's general situation (see the Country page), most visitors travel for diplomatic, humanitarian, or business reasons rather than tourism.
How to get to Ndjili International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to FIH
Parking near Ndjili International Airport
Practical information about parking and support services should be verified directly with your reference organization, given the country's situation.
How to get to Kinshasa from FIH
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Ndjili International Airport
Self-drive car rental is not advisable given the general situation in the country and heavy Kinshasa traffic: travel arrangements should be made through your organization of reference, generally with a dedicated driver and vehicle.
Hotels near Ndjili International Airport
Gombe
About 24 km from Ndjili; with Kinshasa's traffic the ride realistically takes 60-120 minutes, between queues, checkpoints and weather conditions. A transfer arranged in advance with the hotel is preferable to a street taxi.
Best for: For those with more than a day in Kinshasa, given that the transfer from Ndjili airport can take over an hour; less suited to very short layovers.
- Gombe concentrates embassies, restaurants and the Congo riverfront, along with most of the city's branded hotels
- Most of the listed properties offer an organised pick-up service, safer than taxis hailed on the street
- The transfer from the airport can take over two hours during rush hour or in case of checks
- No branded property is located near Ndjili's terminal: anyone with a short layover has no convenient alternative
Recommended hotels
- Hilton Kinshasa Opened in 2023 in Gombe with views over the Congo River; 178 rooms, a fitness centre and nearly 1,000 sqm of event space across 12 meeting rooms. View availability
- Four Points by Sheraton Kinshasa In Gombe, a few minutes' walk from Kinshasa's zoo and botanical garden; 134 rooms, a gym open around the clock and a seasonal outdoor pool. View availability
- Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel On the Congo riverfront in Gombe, 369 rooms spread across a historic wing and a more recent one, four restaurants and an in-house casino; renovated in 2024. View availability
- Novotel Kinshasa La Gombe In the heart of Gombe's business district, next to a golf course; Green Key certified and named best hotel in the DRC by the World Travel Awards. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is adequately sized for its role as the country's main airport, but with infrastructure not always aligned with international standards.
Customs and health checks may take longer than expected, especially given the ongoing Ebola emergency in Ituri province: allow a substantial margin, at least 3–4 hours for international flights.
Map of Ndjili International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it safe to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo?
The United States classifies the entire country at Level 4 ('do not travel'), due to the ongoing conflict in the east and an Ebola emergency declared by the WHO in Ituri province in May 2026. Kinshasa is geographically far from the front line, but the situation remains serious: anyone who needs to travel there should only do so through a structured organization.
Q. Do you need a visa for the DR Congo?
Yes, for all nationalities without exception: there is no visa-free entry or visa on arrival. It must be requested in advance, with processing times of 2-3 weeks or more for most nationalities.
Q. Is yellow fever vaccination required?
Yes, it's mandatory for all travelers aged 9 months and above entering the country.
Q. Does the Ebola situation also affect Kinshasa?
The outbreak declared by the WHO in May 2026 is in Ituri province, far from Kinshasa; still, expect enhanced health checks throughout the country given the context.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights