Overview
Kano is the largest city in northern Nigeria and one of West Africa's oldest continuously inhabited places – a Hausa trading capital that grew wealthy on the trans-Saharan caravan routes centuries ago. Today it is a busy commercial and manufacturing hub, but travellers still come for the ancient walls, the craft workshops and one of the great market cultures of the Sahel. It is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in history, textiles and traditional architecture.
Best time to fly to Kano
Kano has a hot, semi-arid climate with a long dry season from roughly October to May and a shorter rainy season between June and September. The most comfortable window is November to February, when the dry Harmattan wind brings cooler nights, though it also carries a Saharan dust haze. March to May is intensely hot. For fares, check the When to book chart above and the price charts on this page – the quieter shoulder months often pair reasonable weather with softer prices.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Kano, so you will connect through a hub. Qatar Airways (via Doha), EgyptAir (via Cairo), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) are among the carriers serving Kano. Alternatively, fly a UK carrier such as British Airways or Virgin Atlantic to Lagos or Abuja and add a domestic hop with Air Peace or another Nigerian airline. From London expect a total journey of about 11–16 hours depending on the connection; from Manchester you will usually route through the same hubs for a broadly similar trip.
Things to do in Kano
Kano rewards curious travellers who enjoy history and craft traditions on foot.
- Kurmi Market: A sprawling 15th-century market, long a centre for indigo cloth, leather and brassware.
- Kofar Mata Dye Pits: Centuries-old indigo dye pits still worked by hand, among the oldest in Africa.
- Gidan Makama Museum: Kano's history displayed inside a historic mud-built palace near the Emir's residence.
- Kano City Walls and Dala Hill: Surviving stretches of the ancient earthen ramparts and gates, with views from the old settlement mound.
- Great Mosque of Kano: The city's landmark central mosque, striking from the outside even if you cannot go in.
At Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN)
The airport lies about 8km north-west of the city centre, usually 15–25 minutes by road. There is no rail or metro link, so most visitors use a pre-booked hotel car, a car hire desk or an airport taxi – agree the fare before you set off. Traffic builds through the day, so allow extra time heading back for your return flight.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Kano
- Book roughly two to five months ahead; last-minute fares to Nigeria are rarely cheap.
- Fly midweek and avoid the December and mid-summer peaks, when diaspora demand pushes prices up.
- Use flexible-date search and compare hubs – Doha, Cairo, Addis Ababa and Istanbul – as the cheapest routing shifts month to month.
- Check the When to book and price charts on this page before you commit.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Nigeria – apply through the official Nigeria e-visa system before you travel, and make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and a blank page. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. Malaria is present, so speak to your GP or a travel clinic about antimalarials and routine jabs well before departure. The currency is the Nigerian naira (NGN); carry some cash, as card acceptance is patchy outside larger hotels. Do check the latest FCDO travel advice for Kano State before booking, as advisories can affect your travel insurance.
