Overview
Somalia occupies the tip of the Horn of Africa and has the longest coastline on mainland Africa, running along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Most UK travellers booking flights to Somalia are visiting family, working with businesses or aid programmes, or exploring the heritage sites of Somaliland in the north. There are no direct flights from the UK to Somalia, so every itinerary involves at least one connection through a major hub. Security also varies considerably by region, so read the current FCDO travel advice before you book.
Best time to fly to Somalia
The most comfortable months are the dry seasons: December to March (Jilaal) and July to September (Hagaa). The main Gu rains fall from April to June, with shorter Deyr rains in October and November. The coast stays hot and humid all year, typically 28-34C. Fares and seats tighten around Ramadan, Eid and the UK summer holidays, so check the When to book chart above before choosing dates.
Main gateway cities & airports
The principal arrival point is Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ) in Mogadishu. Hargeisa Egal International Airport (HGA) serves Somaliland and is the gateway to Laas Geel and Berbera. Puntland travellers use Bosaso (BSA) and Garowe (GGR), while Berbera (BBO) handles some regional traffic.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies direct from the UK. The common one-stop options are Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, flydubai via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, EgyptAir via Cairo and Kenya Airways via Nairobi. Domestic and regional hops are operated by carriers such as Jubba Airways and Daallo Airlines. From London, allow roughly 12-16 hours in total including the stop; from Manchester the journey is similar routing via Istanbul, Dubai or Doha.
Popular places to visit in Somalia
- Mogadishu: Lido Beach, the historic old town and the whitewashed Arba'a Rukun Mosque.
- Laas Geel: remarkable prehistoric rock art in the hills near Hargeisa.
- Hargeisa: the relaxed Somaliland capital and a base for travel into the interior.
- Berbera: a Gulf of Aden port with Ottoman-era streets and long, quiet beaches.
- Kismayo: a southern coastal city near the mouth of the Jubba River.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Somalia
- Compare several hubs - Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, Cairo and Nairobi - as fares differ widely for the same dates.
- Book around six to ten weeks ahead and use the price charts on this page to time it.
- Avoid Ramadan, Eid and the July-August peak, and look at midweek departures.
- Fly into Hargeisa or Bosaso if that is closer to your final destination than Mogadishu.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders can usually obtain a 30-day visa on arrival at Mogadishu for a fee, paid in US dollars, with a passport valid for at least six months. Somaliland issues its own separate visa, available on arrival at Hargeisa or Berbera or online in advance. The currency is the Somali shilling, but US dollars and mobile money services such as EVC Plus and ZAAD are used for almost everything. Check the latest FCDO advice, and see the When to book chart above to plan your timing.
