Airport Transfer, Renting a Car & Public Transport Rates
If you want to know more about the various transport fares in Uganda, here is the information for you. This guide provides a range of the rates operators charge for different options you can use to get around the pearl of Africa. Kampala is the base for transport in Uganda. Major roads to different parts of the nation start from this city. To travel from one place to another, you have to use one or two of these options highlighted below.
Airport Transfer
This is for those who are coming from abroad to Uganda. You will either arrive at the Entebbe International Airport or Hoima Airstrip. The main entry point is EBB. This facility welcomes multiple flights from various parts of the World.
Once you land at EBB, you need a car for an airport transfer to your residential home or hotel. Some travelers arrange with their friends or relatives to pick them up. If you don’t have any connection with a person in Uganda, use a taxicab, the only transportation service available at Entebbe Airport.
The cost for an EBB Airport taxi is between 15 – 40 USD (50,000 – 150,000 UGX) for short trips like Entebbe Airport to Kampala. The rate depends on the number of kilometers for your journey. The shortest ride costs 15 USD. Drivers use marked and registered cars.
The service is not only cheap but also secure. Be sure to reserve your cab in advance. They only care for the available customer. If you didn’t book, it should not be a surprise to reach there when all cars are out for trips.
Renting a Car
If you are going on a long tour around Uganda or you prefer privacy, renting a car is the best option. Cars like Toyota Rav 4, Land Cruiser Prado, V8, VX, Nissan, Super custom, and Coaster bus are available for rental. You can book one for a self-drive tour or daily drive in Kampala. Even saloon cars like Toyota Premio, Ipsum, Minivans like Noah, Alphard are also available.
The rental rate ranges between 30 – 130 USD per day depending on the type of vehicle you need. The rate is without fuel. Those who take the vehicle for the long term receive discounted offers. For tourists who would like to camp, there is a rooftop tent car for you. To rent a car for self-drive in Uganda, you must agree to the rental terms and conditions.
Public Transport
This is the cheapest means and it’s mostly used by locals. For as low as 1 USD, you can use a Boda, Matatu, or Pioneer bus for a short ride in Kampala or any other city and town in the nation. If you want to order the service online, Safe Boda and Uber should be your priority.
For a city or town drive, the fares range from 1 to 5 USD (3000 – 15,000 UGX). While in Kampala, you find the matatus in the old taxi park, New or USAFI Park. Boda Boda is everywhere.
Make sure to have cash in your pocket. Visa or MasterCard payment is not widely used by local service providers in Uganda. Moreover, Kampala is full of traffic jam during the daytime, so walking or the use of a Boda guy is a perfect option for someone who needs to get around on time.
For upcountry or inter-border trips, taking the bus from Kampala is the best way to go. Numerous operators offer this service at competitive prices. Bus scheduled trips go to places like Fort Portal, Gulu, Mbale, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Mubende, Moroto, Pakwachi, Kasese, Kisoro, Kabale, Soroti, Arua and more.
A bus ticket in Kampala costs between 5 – 40 USD. Visit a bus terminal in Kisenyi, Namayiba, or Namirembe and buy one.
Other than road means, there is water transport that enables people to access islands on Lake Victoria. You can use private local boats or ferries.
There is a ferry from Nakiwogo, Entebbe to Kalangala. Another one starts from Bukakata, Masaka to Kalangala and other Ssese Islands. There is also one that starts from the Kiyindi landing site (Buikwe district) to Buvuma Islands. The price for a ferry or boat ride is between 2 – 10 USD.
Besides that, Railway transport isn’t active in Uganda. It collapsed for years. The government is just resuming its operations.