🇸🇴 Flights to Somalia
Cheap Flights to Somalia from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Mogadishu and Hargeisa. Dream Fare specialises in Somalia routes with the best prices for the large UK Somali community. Check FCDO travel advice before booking.
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FCDO Travel Advisory
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to most of Somalia. Always check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before booking. Dream Fare can advise on current flight options for the UK Somali community.
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Flights to Somali Cities
Select your destination for full flight details, airlines and the latest prices. Dream Fare works with the UK Somali community daily.
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FROM £699Mogadishu
Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ)
Somalia’s capital on the Indian Ocean coast — one of the world’s oldest cities with a rich Swahili and Arab heritage. Served by Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Somali regional carriers. Home to one of East Africa’s largest fish markets and a rapidly growing business community.
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FROM £649Hargeisa
Egal International Airport (HGA)
Capital of Somaliland — a self-declared autonomous region that has operated its own government since 1991. Significantly more stable than southern Somalia. Home to the famous Laas Geel cave paintings (among the oldest rock art in Africa), vibrant camel markets and a growing diaspora-driven economy.
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Airlines
Airlines Flying to Somalia from UK
We compare all airlines on the London to Mogadishu and Hargeisa routes to find you the best available price.
Baggage Allowances to Somalia
When to Fly
Best Time to Fly to Somalia
Somalia has a hot semi-arid climate. The two dry seasons are the most comfortable times to travel. Somaliland and Mogadishu are 3 hours ahead of GMT.
Long Dry Season
Nov — March
The cooler and drier season. Most comfortable for travel with temperatures of 25°C to 32°C. Most popular time for UK Somali diaspora family visits.
Short Dry Season
July — September
A brief dry period between the two rainy seasons. Manageable temperatures and competitive airfares.
Gu Rains
April — June
Main rainy season. Heavy rainfall across most of Somalia and Somaliland. Lowest fares of the year.
Deyr Rains
Oct — November
Short rainy season. Brief but heavy downpours. Fares are competitive ahead of the main dry season.
Somalia Weather & Packing Guide
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Mogadishu & Indian Ocean Coast
Hot and humid year-round with temperatures of 26°C to 33°C. The Indian Ocean coast has beautiful beaches but swimming conditions vary. Pack light cotton clothing, sunscreen and DEET insect repellent. Malaria prophylaxis is essential for all areas.
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Hargeisa & Somaliland
Hargeisa sits at 1,334 metres elevation giving it a significantly milder climate than the coast. Temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C. Pack light layers as evenings can be cool. The northern highlands of Somaliland are particularly pleasant from November to March.
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Northern Highlands
The Cal Madow mountain range in Somaliland rises to over 2,400 metres. Dramatically cooler than the coast with lush vegetation and extraordinary biodiversity including endemic species found nowhere else on earth. Pack warm layers for highland trekking.
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General Packing Tips
Somalia uses Type C plugs. Somali Shilling (SOS) in the south and Somaliland Shilling (SLSH) in Somaliland. USD widely accepted. Modest dress is essential — Somalia is a conservative Muslim country. Arabic and Somali are the main languages.
Culture & Heritage
Somali Culture, Food & Traditions
Somalia has one of the richest oral literary traditions in the world, a remarkable ancient maritime heritage, extraordinary poetry, music and one of the most welcoming hospitality cultures in the Horn of Africa.
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Somali Cuisine
Canjeero (fermented flatbread — the Somali staple eaten at every meal), Suqaar (spiced meat stir-fry), Hilib Ari (goat meat), Bariis iyo Hilib (rice and meat), Maraq (broth soup), Shaah (spiced tea with cardamom) and fresh lobster and fish from the Indian Ocean coast.
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Poetry & Music
Somalia is called the Nation of Poets. Somali oral poetry — gabay, geeraar and jiifto — has been the primary art form for centuries. Somali music blends traditional pentatonic scales with Arabic and Indian Ocean influences. Maryam Mursal and Waaberi are Somalia’s most internationally known musicians.
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Camel Culture
The camel is central to Somali culture, economy and identity. Somalia has the world’s largest camel population. Camel milk is a dietary staple. Camels are used in bride price negotiations and are celebrated in poetry. The camel market at Hargeisa is one of East Africa’s great traditional markets.
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Ancient Maritime Heritage
Somalia has one of the world’s longest coastlines (3,333km) and an ancient maritime tradition. Somali seafarers traded across the Indian Ocean for millennia. The ancient port of Zeila was a major hub on the Red Sea trade route between Arabia, India and East Africa.
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Laas Geel Cave Paintings
The Laas Geel cave paintings near Hargeisa are among the oldest and best-preserved rock art in Africa — dating back up to 11,000 years. Vivid paintings of cattle, humans and geometric patterns make this one of Africa’s most extraordinary archaeological sites.
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Somali Diaspora
The UK has one of the world’s largest Somali diaspora communities — an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people, concentrated in London, Cardiff, Leicester and Bristol. Dream Fare has served the UK Somali community for years with specialist knowledge of Somalia routes and fares.
Top Attractions
Top Places in Somalia & Somaliland
Somalia has extraordinary natural beauty, ancient heritage sites and a vibrant urban culture. Somaliland in particular is increasingly visited by diaspora and adventurous travellers.
Laas Geel Cave Paintings, Somaliland
One of Africa’s most extraordinary archaeological sites — Neolithic cave paintings dating back up to 11,000 years, discovered only in 2002. Vivid depictions of cattle, humans and wild animals in remarkable condition. Located 55km from Hargeisa on a rock outcrop above a dry river valley.
Berbera & the Red Sea Coast
Somaliland’s main port and a beautiful historic town on the Gulf of Aden with Ottoman-era architecture, coral houses and excellent beaches. The British colonial history is still visible in the town’s layout. Berbera’s beaches are some of the finest on the Horn of Africa.
Mogadishu Old Town
Despite decades of conflict, Mogadishu’s historic Hamar Weyne quarter retains extraordinary Ottoman-era coral stone architecture, ancient mosques and the historic Arba Rucun mosque dating to the 13th century. The old city’s resilience is remarkable.
Hargeisa City
Somaliland’s capital is a surprisingly cosmopolitan and fast-growing city. The War Memorial (a decorated jet aircraft) is the most famous landmark. The currency exchange market, camel market and vibrant restaurants reflect a city with a strong diaspora-driven economy.
Cal Madow Mountains
The highest mountain range in Somalia at over 2,400 metres, running east of Hargeisa in Somaliland. Home to extraordinary endemic species including the Somali starling and remarkable highland flora. One of the Horn of Africa’s finest trekking landscapes.
Kismayo & the Southern Coast
Somalia’s southern coast has extraordinary Indian Ocean beaches that were once renowned among East African travellers. Kismayo and the Jubbaland coast have some of the finest white sand beaches on the continent, currently inaccessible to tourists but remarkable in their potential.
Visa & Travel Tips
Somalia Travel Guide
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Visa Requirements
UK citizens require a visa to enter Somalia. A visa on arrival is available at Mogadishu Airport. For Somaliland (Hargeisa), a separate Somaliland visa is issued on arrival at Egal Airport. Dream Fare can advise on current entry requirements and documentation needed.
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Currency & Money
Southern Somalia uses the Somali Shilling (SOS). Somaliland uses the Somaliland Shilling (SLSH). USD is widely accepted and preferred in both territories. Cards are not accepted outside major hotels. Always carry USD cash. Dahabshiil mobile money is widely used.
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Health & Vaccinations
Yellow fever required if arriving from an endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis is essential for all areas of Somalia. Cholera vaccination is also strongly recommended. Medical facilities are extremely limited — comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential.
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SIM Cards & Connectivity
Hormuud Telecom, Somtel and Telesom (Somaliland) SIM cards available at airports. Somalia has surprisingly good mobile internet in major cities — particularly Mogadishu which has competitive 4G coverage. Hargeisa also has reasonable connectivity.
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Getting Around
Taxis and shared minibuses operate in Mogadishu and Hargeisa. For travel between cities, domestic flights with Jubba Airways and regional carriers are the safest option. Road travel outside major cities carries significant risk in southern Somalia.
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Safety Tips
The FCDO advises against all travel to most of Somalia. Somaliland (Hargeisa and Berbera) is more stable but the FCDO still advises against all but essential travel. If travelling for family reasons, register with the FCDO LOCATE service at gov.uk/locate and use local security contacts.
Flights to Somalia FAQ
How long is the flight from London to Mogadishu?
There are no direct flights from London to Mogadishu. With one connection, the journey from London Heathrow to Aden Adde International Airport takes approximately 11 to 14 hours. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa are the most popular options with the best availability.
How long is the flight from London to Hargeisa?
There are no direct flights from London to Hargeisa (Somaliland). Connecting options via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Dubai (Daallo Airlines) or Nairobi (Kenya Airways) take approximately 12 to 15 hours in total including connections.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Somalia?
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Somalia. A visa on arrival is available at Mogadishu Airport. For Somaliland (Hargeisa), a separate Somaliland visa is issued on arrival at Egal International Airport. Contact Dream Fare for the latest entry requirements.
What is Somaliland?
Somaliland is a self-declared autonomous region in northwestern Somalia that has operated independently with its own government, currency, passport and army since 1991. It is significantly more stable than southern Somalia. The UK does not formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state but maintains informal diplomatic and development relations.
What is Somalia known for historically?
Somalia has one of the world’s richest oral literary traditions. The ancient Land of Punt (referenced in Egyptian hieroglyphs) is believed to be in the Horn of Africa. Somali seafarers traded across the Indian Ocean for millennia. The Laas Geel cave paintings near Hargeisa are among Africa’s oldest and finest prehistoric rock art.
How much do flights from London to Somalia cost?
Return flights from London to Mogadishu start from approximately £699 with Dream Fare. Hargeisa flights start from around £649. Prices vary by airline and availability. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and routing advice for the UK Somali community.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.