Major city · Nigeria
Kano
Give Kano 2 nights for the old city — dye pits, Kurmi market, Gidan Makama and the Emir's Palace — and skip it if you want beaches or nightlife.
Kano is northern Nigeria's largest city and a trading centre inhabited for over a thousand years, with a walled old city, a 500-year-old indigo dye pit and Hausa street life. There is little tourist infrastructure, alcohol is restricted under Shari'a, and the sights are close together but spread from the old city to Sabon Gari. Most travellers give it two nights as a northern stop, not a holiday base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NGN
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler nights)
- avoid Apr–Sep (heat and heavy rain; Jul–Aug wettest)
- Airport
- KAN
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Nigeria ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Nigeria Immigration Service or a Nigerian mission; most visitors need a visa arranged before travel.
- Nigeria ↗Governments advise against all or all but essential travel to a number of Nigerian states; check your own government's advice for each state on your route.
- Nigeria ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Nigeria before you fly; carry the certificate with your passport.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kano112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kano, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Nigerian naira (NGN, ₦).Nigeria-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckMTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile; SIM registration needs a passport and NIN-style biometric capture — foreigners register at company offices (check).Nigeria-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Nigeria-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if service is not added.Nigeria-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Nigeria-wide
- SafetycheckKano is generally calm for visitors, but check your government's state-by-state advice before booking.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; carry tissue and hand sanitiser.Nigeria-wide
- Emergency numbers112 National emergency · 112 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSunday mornings are church time in the south; Friday midday prayers in the north.Nigeria-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKAN Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (About 8 km (5 mi) north of the centre; the country's first airport…KAN Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (About 5 mi (8 km) north of the centre; the country's first airport…
- Getting aroundTaxis (yellow and blue) and motorbike taxis (achaba) work on agreed fares — settle the price before you get in.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMasa and pepper soup at a roadside stall₦1,000–2,500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centreAgree before you get in.₦2,000–5,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or palace entry₦500–2,000
- Budget bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomNGN 20,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomNGN 35,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomNGN 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NGN 25,000 · Mid NGN 55,000 · High NGN 120,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KAN Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (About 8 km (5 mi) north of the centre; the country's first airport, with regional and some international flights — check schedules)KAN Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (About 5 mi (8 km) north of the centre; the country's first airport, with regional and some international flights — check schedules)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Apr
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Aug (16 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kano: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Mar
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Apr
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis (yellow and blue) and motorbike taxis (achaba) work on agreed fares — settle the price before you get in. Daidaita sahu motorised rickshaws are common and often the cheapest short hop. Distances in the old city are short enough to walk in daylight; use a car for the airport and for Nassarawa.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kumbotso
cautionDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Road south of the city, about 15–25 min by car
A local run rather than a sight; go with a driver who knows the area.
Karaye
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Road north-west of Kano, roughly 1–1.5 h by car
Historic emirate town; check road conditions and advice first.
Bichi
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Road north-west, about 1 h by car
Small emirate town; pair with Karaye if you have a car and driver.
Rano
cautionDoor to door: About 3–4 h
Road south-east, roughly 1.5–2 h by car
Old walled town with a hill; a half-day with a hired car.
Gwarzo
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Road north-west, about 1.5 h by car
Local market town; go on a market day if you can.
Bagwai
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Road north, roughly 1 h by car
Known for its old wall and dyeing; check access locally.
Rimin Gado
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Road south-west, about 1 h by car
Small town; only worth it with a specific reason and a driver.
Kiru
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Road south-east, roughly 1.5 h by car
Local town; check state advice before travelling.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old city / around the Emir's Palace
Walkable to Kurmi market, Gidan Makama and the dye pits; basic guesthouses, few international-standard rooms.
Sabon Gari
The historic non-Muslim quarter: bars, restaurants and cheaper hotels, about 10–15 min by taxi from the old city.
Nassarawa GRA
Quieter government-residential area with the mid-range and business hotels; 10–20 min by car to the sights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₦25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₦45,000–90,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₦90,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × NGN 75,000 | NGN 150,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × NGN 55,000 | NGN 220,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NGN 8,000 | NGN 16,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NGN 38,600 |
| Trip total≈ NGN 106,200 per person per day, bed included | NGN 424,600 |
2026 estimate in naira; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottle of water (75 cl) | ₦300–700 |
| Masa and pepper soup at a roadside stall | ₦1,000–2,500 |
| Rice or swallow with soup in a mid-range restaurant | ₦4,000–10,000 |
| Chapman or soft drink | ₦1,500–3,500 |
| Taxi across the centreAgree before you get in. | ₦2,000–5,000 |
| Museum or palace entry | ₦500–2,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Agree every taxi or rickshaw fare before departure; there are no meters.
- Alcohol is restricted under Shari'a: most hotels do not serve it, and Sabon Gari is the main area where bars operate.
- Electricity brownouts are common — carry a power bank and a torch.
- Check your government's travel advice for Kano State before booking; there have been past sectarian incidents, though they have not targeted foreigners.
- Foreign cash is rarely accepted: change money at a bank or ATM and keep small naira notes.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 112
- Police
- 112
Pocket card
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KanoKano
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Kai ni wannan adireshin, don AllahTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency112
- Police112
Embassy
Most embassies and high commissions are in Abuja; some countries keep a consulate or honorary consul in Kano — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- KAN airport → city centre, taxi: ₦6,000–12,000, about 20–30 min
- Rickshaw, short hop in the old city: ₦1,000–2,500
- Hired car and driver, half day: ₦25,000–50,000
Say or show
- Sannu — Hello (san-nu)
- Na gode — Thank you (na go-de)
- Nawa ne? — How much is it? (na-wa ne)
- Don Allah — Please (don al-lah)
- Ina bandaki? — Where is the toilet? (ee-na ban-da-ki)
- Ban gane ba — I don't understand (ban ga-ne ba)
English is the official language; Hausa is the street language and a few words go a long way.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kano. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cooler nights) · avoid Apr–Sep (heat and heavy rain; Jul–Aug wettest) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for KAN: arrivals, taxi fares and a fallback hotel for late landings.
- Walking cluster for the old city: Kurmi market, Gidan Makama, Emir's Palace, Kofar Gadon Kaya and the dye pits.
- Place pages with verified hours for Gidan Makama, Gidan Dan Hausa, the dye pits and the Emir's Palace.
- Eat pages with last orders for Sabon Gari and Nassarawa, plus a no-alcohol note.