Flights from the United States to Kisumu, Kenya range from about 17h-40h. The precise length of your flight will depend on your departure city, and the number and length of stopovers you incur. If you’re departing from the east coast, you’re more likely to have a flight time on the shorter end of the range, as opposed to those who are flying out of the west coast, who will likely experience flights on the longer end of the spectrum due to distance and the increased chance of stopovers.
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Kisumu from any airport in the United States. To book a flight that is as direct as possible, be sure to depart from your nearest major airport and choose an airline that regularly flies into Kisumu, such as American Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Egyptair, and Air France. If you fly out of New York’s JFK Airport via Kenya Airways, you can book a flight with just one stopover. From other cities and through other airlines, having at least two stopovers is normal. You can expect to make stopovers in cities like New York, Paris, Doha, and/or Nairobi, all of which are common to this route and depend on your airline.
When you fly to Kisumu, you’ll alight at Kisumu International Airport (KIS), which is about 3.5 miles west of Kisumu city center. To reach downtown Kisumu from the airport, you can take a taxi, which should take about 10 minutes and cost between $19-$23, depending on your precise destination within the city. You can also arrange for a private car service to take you from the airport to downtown Kisumu, which will cost about $35 for up to three passengers. These must be booked in advance, however. There are no public transportation options from the airport to the city.
Kisumu is one of the largest cities in Kenya after Nairobi and is a thriving commercial and tourist area. Its beautiful scenery, cultural attractions, and rich history make Kisumu a fascinating place to visit. Spend a morning perusing the stalls at Kisumu Main Market, a perfect spot for procuring authentic souvenirs and other fun knickknacks. Get a hang of local and greater Kenyan history by visiting Kisumu Museum and taking a guided tour. Enjoy spacious greenery at Ndere Island National Park, where lush forests surround exotic birds and other wildlife. For more wildlife, spend an afternoon at the Impala Sanctuary, which houses these elegant animals as well as antelopes, monkeys, and hippos.
United States citizens traveling to Kisumu, Kenya need a valid passport as well as a physical or electronic visa, which you must apply for prior to your trip. Visas are good for 90 days.