By air
Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) is the main entry point. Ethiopian Airlines has the most frequent connections, routing through Addis Ababa from Europe, North America, and other African cities. Kenya Airways connects via Nairobi. RwandAir routes through Kigali. South African Airways and its subsidiaries have historically served the Johannesburg–Lilongwe route, and Malawi Airlines launched direct Lilongwe–Johannesburg service in late 2025, with plans to expand to Entebbe and other regional cities.
Blantyre's Chileka Airport (BLZ) handles some regional traffic but international connections are limited — most international arrivals come through Lilongwe.
Expect a 20–30 minute drive from Lilongwe airport to the city centre. Taxis are available outside arrivals; agree on a price before you get in. A licensed taxi should cost around $20–25 USD.
By land
Malawi shares borders with Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia. The main overland routes are:
- From Zambia: the Mchinji border crossing in the west, on the road from Lusaka to Lilongwe. Straightforward and frequently used.
- From Tanzania: the Songwe River crossing near Karonga in the north. Accessible from Mbeya in Tanzania; the road on the Malawi side heading south is paved.
- From Mozambique: several crossings exist, including Dedza in the central region and the Mwanza crossing in the south. Road quality on the Mozambique side varies.
Cross-border buses connect Lilongwe to Lusaka, Dar es Salaam, and Harare. Several companies operate these routes including Intercape and various smaller operators.
Lake ferry
The MV Ilala ferry connects lake ports from Monkey Bay in the south to Nkhata Bay, Likoma Island, and Chilumba in the north. The ferry runs once a week in each direction and is a slow but atmospheric way to travel the lake. First class cabins are basic but functional. Be prepared for delays — the schedule is approximate.