🇸🇩 Flights to Khartoum
Cheap Flights to Khartoum from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Khartoum International Airport (KRT). Dream Fare specialises in Sudan routes with the best prices for Khartoum — the Sudanese capital at the legendary confluence of the Blue and White Niles and gateway to more pyramids than Egypt.
Airlines to Khartoum
All Airlines Flying London to Khartoum
Khartoum is served via connections through East African and Middle Eastern hubs. We compare every routing to find your best price for Sudan.
Baggage Allowances — London to Khartoum
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Best two-piece allowance on the route |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Excellent for families with extra luggage |
| EgyptAir | 1 bag up to 8kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| Sudan Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Khartoum & Sudan
Khartoum has a hot desert climate with extreme summer heat. The cooler winter months are by far the most comfortable time to visit the city and the ancient pyramid sites. Khartoum is 3 hours ahead of GMT year-round.
Best Season
Nov — February
The most comfortable time to visit Khartoum and the pyramid sites. Pleasant temperatures (15°C to 30°C) with cool mornings and evenings. Ideal for exploring Meroe, Nuri and the National Museum without extreme heat.
Coolest Months
Dec — January
The coolest part of the year with comfortable daytime temperatures (20°C to 28°C) and cool nights, occasionally dropping to single figures in the desert. The most popular period for visiting the Nubian pyramids.
Warming Up
March — May
Temperatures rise steadily (28°C to 38°C). Still manageable for sightseeing in the mornings. The Khartoum confluence of the Niles is at its most dramatic during this period before the rains arrive.
Extreme Heat
June — September
Khartoum experiences extreme summer heat (40°C to 47°C) making this period very challenging for visitors. The brief rainy season brings occasional dramatic dust storms (haboobs). Not recommended for sightseeing during these months.
About Khartoum
Khartoum — Where the Niles Meet
Khartoum sits at one of the most legendary geographical points on earth — the confluence (Al-Mogran) where the Blue Nile, flowing from the Ethiopian highlands, meets the White Nile, flowing from Lake Victoria, to form the single Nile that flows north through Egypt to the Mediterranean. Sudan’s capital is the gateway to one of Africa’s most extraordinary and undervisited ancient civilisations — the Nubian Kingdom of Kush, which left behind more pyramids than Egypt itself.
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Confluence of the Niles
One of the most legendary sights in Africa — the meeting point of the Blue Nile and White Nile at Al-Mogran (literally meaning the confluence) is visible from the Tuti Bridge and the Confluence Park. The two rivers run side by side for a distance before merging — the Blue Nile carrying distinctly darker, sediment-rich water from the Ethiopian highlands creating a visible line where the two rivers join.
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Pyramids of Meroe (UNESCO)
Sudan has more ancient pyramids than Egypt — over 200 across multiple sites. The Meroe Pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 200km north of Khartoum, are smaller and steeper than Egyptian pyramids and rise dramatically from the Sahara in extraordinary, near-total isolation. Built for the kings and queens of the Kingdom of Kush (800 BC to 350 AD), Meroe is one of Africa’s greatest and least-visited ancient wonders.
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National Museum of Sudan
One of the finest archaeological museums in Africa — the National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum holds extraordinary treasures from the ancient Nubian civilisation including complete temples rescued from Lake Nasser flooding (relocated stone by stone), the Kushite royal collections, frescoes from Faras Cathedral and artefacts spanning 5,000 years of Sudanese and Nubian history. An essential introduction before visiting Meroe.
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Omdurman Souk
Across the Nile from Khartoum, Omdurman is Sudan’s largest city and home to one of the largest traditional markets in Africa. The Omdurman Souk sells gold, silver, spices, traditional Sudanese clothing, leather goods and crafts. The Hamed al-Nil Tomb nearby hosts the famous Sufi whirling dervish ceremony every Friday evening — one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences in Africa.
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Sudanese Cuisine
Ful medames (fava bean stew — eaten at every meal), Kisra (fermented sorghum flatbread, the Sudanese staple), Moukhbaza (banana paste), Gorasa (thick flatbread with stew), Tagalia (the spiced onion and tomato base for most dishes), fresh Nile fish (particularly Nile perch) and the famously strong Sudanese coffee (jabana) served with ginger and cardamom in tiny cups are all essential Khartoum food experiences.
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UK Sudanese Community
The UK has a significant Sudanese diaspora community concentrated in London, Manchester and other cities. Dream Fare has served UK Sudanese for years with specialist knowledge of Sudan routes and the best available fares. We understand the importance of generous baggage and flexible booking for families travelling home to Khartoum.
Top Places to Visit in Khartoum & Sudan
Meroe Pyramids (UNESCO)
200km north of Khartoum — the Meroe pyramids are Sudan’s most spectacular ancient monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 40 pyramids of the Meroitic Kingdom (300 BC to 350 AD) rise from the Sahara in extraordinary isolation. Smaller and steeper than Egyptian pyramids, with external chapels decorated with relief carvings of Nubian kings, Meroe receives a fraction of the visitors of Giza despite comparable historical significance.
National Museum of Sudan
Within Khartoum itself — one of Africa’s finest archaeological museums housing the extraordinary treasures of ancient Nubia, including complete temples rescued stone by stone from the flooding caused by the Aswan Dam. The Kushite royal collections, the frescoes from Faras Cathedral and artefacts spanning 5,000 years make this museum an essential introduction to Sudan’s remarkable ancient civilisation.
Confluence of the Blue & White Nile
One of the most legendary sights in world geography — visible from Tuti Bridge and Confluence Park in Khartoum, the meeting point where the Blue Nile (from Ethiopia) joins the White Nile (from Lake Victoria) to form the single Nile River. The visibly different colours of the two rivers running side by side before merging is a remarkable natural spectacle unique to this location.
Omdurman Souk & Whirling Dervishes
Across the Nile from central Khartoum — Omdurman is Sudan’s largest city with one of Africa’s great traditional markets. The Hamed al-Nil Tomb hosts the extraordinary Sufi whirling dervish ceremony every Friday evening, where worshippers in colourful robes spin in ecstatic religious dance to drums and chanting — one of the most remarkable and accessible cultural spectacles in Africa.
Jebel Barkal (UNESCO)
400km north of Khartoum near Karima — Jebel Barkal is a sacred mountain that was the religious centre of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, believed by the ancient Egyptians and Nubians to be the home of the god Amun. The site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has temple ruins, pyramids and the dramatic flat-topped sandstone mountain rising 98 metres from the desert plain.
Nuri Pyramid Field
Near Karima, north of Khartoum — the Nuri pyramid field contains the tomb of King Taharqa, one of the most powerful Nubian pharaohs who ruled both Egypt and Kush, along with numerous other royal burials. The site is even less visited than Meroe and offers a genuinely remote and atmospheric desert pyramid experience, with the pyramids in various states of preservation rising from the sand.
Travel Tips
Khartoum Travel Guide
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Visa & Entry for Sudan
UK citizens require a visa to enter Sudan. Check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan before booking as requirements and conditions can change. Dream Fare has specialist knowledge of current Sudan entry requirements for UK passport holders and will provide the most current and honest advice when you enquire.
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FCDO Travel Advice
The UK Foreign Office maintains travel advice for Sudan that should be checked carefully before any travel to Khartoum. Dream Fare monitors the latest guidance and will be completely transparent about current conditions — we only book travel we would be comfortable recommending to family members.
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Currency & Money
Sudan uses the Sudanese Pound (SDG). USD is widely accepted in Khartoum hotels and tourist establishments. Cards have limited acceptance — cash is essential for most transactions including the pyramid sites. ATMs can be unreliable. Bring sufficient USD cash for your entire stay including excursions to Meroe.
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Getting Around Khartoum
Taxis are widely available in Khartoum, though negotiate fares before travelling. For excursions to Meroe, Nuri and Jebel Barkal, hire a car with driver through your hotel or a Sudan-specialist tour operator — the desert roads require local knowledge. Most visitors combine Khartoum sightseeing with a guided day or overnight trip to the pyramid sites.
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Weather & Best Timing
Khartoum has an extreme desert climate. November to February is by far the most comfortable period (15°C to 30°C). June to September brings extreme heat (40°C to 47°C) making sightseeing very challenging. Plan visits to Meroe and other outdoor sites for early morning during any season. Khartoum is 3 hours ahead of GMT year-round.
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Culture & Etiquette
Sudan is a conservative Muslim country and modest dress is expected, particularly for women. Photography of government buildings, bridges and military installations is prohibited and can result in serious problems — always ask permission before photographing people or sensitive infrastructure. Sudanese hospitality is renowned — expect to be offered tea or coffee frequently, which is considered impolite to refuse.
Flights to Khartoum FAQ
How do I fly from London to Khartoum?
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most popular and convenient routing to Khartoum. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha all also serve Khartoum well. EgyptAir via Cairo is a good option for combining Egypt and Sudan. Dream Fare will find the most convenient and cost-effective routing for your travel dates.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Sudan?
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Sudan. Check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan before booking as requirements and conditions can change. Dream Fare provides specialist Sudan travel advice and assistance with the visa process.
Why does Sudan have more pyramids than Egypt?
Sudan was home to the ancient Kingdom of Kush, a powerful Nubian civilisation that ruled the Nile Valley for centuries and even conquered and ruled Egypt itself as the 25th Dynasty pharaohs. The Kushite kings and queens built over 200 pyramids across multiple sites (Meroe, Nuri, El-Kurru) — more than ancient Egypt — though smaller and steeper in design. These remain remarkably undervisited compared to Egypt’s pyramids.
Is Khartoum safe to visit?
Check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan before booking any travel to Khartoum or Sudan. The security situation in Sudan should be carefully assessed before travel. Dream Fare monitors current conditions and will provide the most up-to-date and honest assessment when you enquire about Sudan travel.
How do I visit the Meroe Pyramids from Khartoum?
Meroe is approximately 200km (3 to 4 hours by road) north of Khartoum. Most visitors arrange a guided day trip or overnight excursion through a Sudan-specialist tour operator, combining Meroe with Jebel Barkal and the Nuri pyramid field near Karima. A 4x4 vehicle with driver and guide is recommended for the desert roads.
How much do return flights from London to Khartoum cost?
Return flights from London to Khartoum start from approximately £549 with Dream Fare. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is typically the most competitive option. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and current Sudan travel advice.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.