Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Kinshasa N’djili Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
upon getting to the airport we were told that yes, we had confirmed the flight, but not the seats. Apparently that is two completely separate things. – Melissa
FIH Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Kinshasa N’djili Airport.
What to Expect
Kinshasa Airport (code: FIH) has two terminals: an older domestic building and a brand-new international terminal. Facilities are reportedly cleaner, and security processes are less chaotic than in past years, but corruption among airport staff is still a possibility. Inside the international terminal, you’ll find an expensive landside restaurant, an airside cafeteria, and a few shops. WiFi is available in two airport lounges, which economy-class passengers can pay to enter.
Sleeping in Kinshasa Airport
Sleeping here overnight is impossible as the airport closes nightly from 12:00 AM until 6:00 PM. For uninterrupted sleep, the closest hotels are in the Kinshasa city center. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Kinshasa Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are several small-budget hotels near N’djili Airport. For more comfort, you are better off staying in Kinshasa, a 45-minute + drive away. Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Kinshasa, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Salon VIP Depart – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
Airline Lounge
- Brussels Airlines Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Elite ticket status and Lounge programs (ONLY for star alliance premium, gold, and business class fliers on Ethiopia airlines)
Drinking Water
Water bottle refill stations are not likely to be found here. Bottled water only.
Food & Drinks
There are no 24-hour food concessions, but a few options are open during flight operational hours.
» Landside: restaurant operated by Grand Hotel during airport opening hours. Count on 35 $ for a mediocre breakfast (dry bread, poor coffee).
» Airside: small cafeteria operated by RVA (Regie des Voies Aerienne) during the airport’s opening hours. Serves food (chicken or sausage with floppy fries) and local drinks.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Not available. Watch your belongings at all times, especially during check-in and (manual) baggage control.
Mobile Charging
We had no information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Not available. Restrooms on the land and airside are in disrepair and dirty. There is no running water.
WiFi/Internet
WiFi is available at Kinshasa Airport inside the lounges. As of this update, we could not confirm whether internet access is available elsewhere in the terminal. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. US dollars and Euros are dispensed. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Location: Main Hall (Landside) and Departures Lounge.
Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available at BIAC and Rawbank agencies. Location and Hours: unknown.
Information Desk – Available in the main lobby. Hours: unknown.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards and more at the airport’s post office. Location and hours: unknown.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Bus
There is a Transco bus stop at FIH Airport. Further information is not known. Shuttle buses also serve the airport. Inquire at the Information Desk.
Car Rentals
Car rental is available at Kinshasa Airport. No further information is available at this time.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. Prices must be negotiated before entering the cab. The airport suggests that a ride to Kinshasa can range from US$20 to US$50, depending on where and when you are travelling.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.