Lilongwe
Lilongwe is Malawi's capital, a planned city on a central plateau, and a practical base for bus travel to other parts of the country.
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Lilongwe is the capital and largest city of Malawi, in the Central Region, near the borders with Mozambique and Zambia. It sits on a plateau in the East African Rift Valley at about 1,050 m above sea level, which keeps it cooler than most tropical cities. The city takes its name from the Lilongwe River that runs through it. It became the capital in 1975, replacing Zomba, and Parliament sits here. Blantyre remains the commercial capital.
The city has two main parts. The New City has hotels, embassies and government offices. Old Town has street markets, bus stations, cafes and restaurants. Areas are numbered in the order they were created, not by location, and addresses use those numbers. Kamuzu International Airport lies about 7 km north of the city center. Regular buses run to Blantyre, Zomba, Kasungu and Mzuzu. Lilongwe suits travelers who want a planned city shaped by a 1968 master plan, or who use it as a base for bus trips elsewhere in Malawi.
Lilongwe in five
- Learn the area numbers before you goLilongwe's areas are numbered in the order they were created, not by location, so Area 1 is the first and Area 2 the second. Addresses use these numbers, so note the area number before you ask a driver.
- Book your transfer from Kamuzu International AirportThe airport (LLW) lies about 7 km north of the city center and is the country's oldest airport. Arrange your hotel transfer before you land, so you are not negotiating a ride on arrival.Getting around
- Change money into kwacha earlyThe local currency is the Malawian kwacha (MWK), and you will need it for markets and short local trips. Change some before you reach the city, and keep small notes for everyday purchases.Money and costs
- Choose the New City or Old Town as your baseThe New City has hotels, embassies and government offices, while Old Town has the street and walled markets, bus stations, cafes and restaurants. Pick Old Town if you plan to leave by bus, since the bus stations are there.Where to stay
- Take a bus for the long routesRegular buses run from Lilongwe to Blantyre, Zomba, Kasungu and Mzuzu, and international buses go daily to South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania. Check departure times at the bus station in Old Town before you plan the day.Getting around
Need to know
- Currency
- Malawian kwacha (MWK)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on your passport; check before you travel
- Emergency
- Ask your hotel for police and ambulance numbers before you travel
- Tipping
- Customary in restaurants; check the bill for a service charge
- Time
- UTC+2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy, green
- FebruaryRainy, green
- MarchRainy, green
- AprilRains ending
- MayDry season starts
- JuneCool, dry
- JulyCool, dry
- AugustCool, cold nights
- SeptemberWarm, dry
- OctoberWarm, pre-rains
- NovemberRains start
- DecemberRainy, green
Right now in Lilongwe
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 37%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Lilongwe
11:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°19°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue33°20°14%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Wed33°21°33%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Thu32°22°29%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Fri32°21°29%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sat33°22°16%Saturday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun34°22°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 10:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,734 MWK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- KasunguCheck bus times in Old TownOne of the regular bus routes from the capital, toward Mzuzu.Read the guide
- ZombaCheck bus times in Old TownThe former capital, and a regular bus route from Lilongwe.Read the guide
- MzuzuCheck bus times in Old TownA northern city on one of the regular bus routes from the capital.Read the guide
Before you go to Lilongwe
Rules for Lilongwe, checked
- Check whether your nationality needs a visa for Malawi on the official entry pages before you book flights.
- Declare goods and currency on the customs form at arrival, and check current limits with Malawi Revenue Authority.
- Ask before you photograph people at the markets in Old Town.
Plan around Lilongwe
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Malawi trip
Read the guideGetting around MalawiBus, rail and road options from the capital
Read the guideWhere to stayPlaces to sleep in the New City and Old Town
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices in kwacha
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and visa checks before you book
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData options for maps and bus times
Read the guideLilongwe FAQ
Is Lilongwe worth visiting?
It is worth a stop for the markets in Old Town and the government centre, and for its planned layout. The city also works well as a base for bus trips to other parts of Malawi.
Is Lilongwe the capital of Malawi?
Yes. It became the capital in 1975, replacing Zomba, and Parliament sits here. Blantyre is the commercial capital.
When is the best time to visit Lilongwe?
June to August, when the weather is cool and dry, though nights can be cold. September and October are warm before the rains start in November.
How many days do you need in Lilongwe?
Plan time for the New City and the Old Town markets, then add days if you use the city as a base for bus trips north or south.
Is Lilongwe or Blantyre better for a visit?
Choose Lilongwe for the government centre and the planned city, and Blantyre for commerce. Regular buses run from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
Does Lilongwe have a train?
Yes. A rail line serves the city, running east toward Salima and west toward the Zambian border.