Local transport

Transfers from airport to hotels and conference venue

Shuttles from airport to hotels

Shuttle buses for transfers from Kigali airport to only hotels listed on the OSC website  will leave regularly from Saturday 21 October 00:01 until Tuesday24 October, including late night arrivals. A WCRP OSC welcome desk will be available on arrival at Kigali airport.

Shuttles from the hotels to KCC and from KCC to hotels

During the Open Science Conference week,  shuttle buses for transfers from/to the hotels listed and the Kigali Convention Centre will follow the following routes. Detailed schedules will be posted on this webpage on Sunday 22 October evening due to logistical constraints.

Shuttles from the hotels to KCC

Departure from all hotels between 07:00 and 07:20  (1st shift) and 07:50 and 08:10 (2nd shift)

Shuttles from the KCC to hotels

Shuttles will leave KCC at 19:00, 20:00, 22:15 Tuesday – Wednesday and after the closing on Friday. Buses will take delegates from KCC to the Gala dinner on Thursday and return to the listed hotels after dinner.

Taxi

Kigali has two taxi and ride-hailing apps: Move and Yego Cabs.  Using taxi apps in Kigali requires a lot of patience. 
Move is exclusively available to drivers of Volkswagen cars, so there are fewer drivers, but it’s a much more comfortable ride.  For Yego cabs, you can also call 9191, a toll-free number, to order your ride. 

Many drivers still aren’t used to using the apps, and will ring you to confirm your pickup and drop-off location. They may need help with directions.

Public Transport

Buses are the most common form of public transport in Kigali. Busses are modern, comfortable, and run on set schedules and routes. Destinations and routes are marked by the colours of the buses and a screen at the front. 

Bus stations in Kigali are known as ‘taxi parks,’ and you’ll usually find one in every neighbourhood. You can also catch a bus at a bus stop. There are many bus stops around the city, so don’t worry about walking a long distance to find one.

Tap&Go Cards

To board a bus, you’ll need a “Tap & Go” card. These cards are available in every taxi park and most bus stops. 

You can top the cards in the following ways: 

• Visit vendors at the taxi parks and bus stops
• Using MTN Mobile Money by dialing *182*2*5#
• Downloading the Tap&Go app on your phone

Motorbike Taxis

Motorbike taxis, known as ‘motos’ in Rwanda, are still the most popular form of transport in Kigali for most people. They’re quick, cheap, convenient, and (mostly) safe. 

Moto drivers usually work from ‘stations’ – junctions and roadside areas where they hang about and wait for passengers. You’ll rarely have to walk long to find one. You can also hail a passing moto from the road – but this comes with some risks. 

All moto drivers in Kigali carry an extra helmet for their passengers, but due to Covid restrictions, you’ll need to wear a headscarf or shawl underneath. 

Moto drivers in Kigali work on (almost) fixed fares based on distance. While they sometimes overcharge foreigners, it’s usually not too high and open to haggling. Fares between most parts of Kigali typically cost from 500-2,000 RWF.

If you don’t want to haggle the fare, the Kigali government has recently introduced mandatory smart metering on moto-taxis. The meters are attached to the bike, and you can request a driver to turn it on at the start of your ride. 

Safety on Motos

• Don’t be afraid to inspect a bike and helmet provided before agreeing to ride, to ensure their both safe. The same goes for the driver.
• Keep an eye on the road and a driver’s speed. If you’re concerned about his driving, tell him to slow down and pay better attention. 

Extra Tips for Taking Motos

• If the driver doesn’t know the location you’re driving to, ring someone at your destination who speaks Kinyarwanda and ask them to give him directions. 
• If you find a reliable driver you use often, take his number to pick you up and take you around. It’s safer, cheaper, and more reliable than using different drivers all the time. 
• If you need to hold onto anything, there are bars below the passenger’s seat. Don’t grab or hug your driver!