Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Malawi.
Malawi's main airport is Lilongwe International Airport (LLW), located 26km/16mi from the capital, Lilongwe. Some international flights arrive at Chileka International Airport (BLZ), 16km/10mi from Blantyre.
Onward travel is by either small aircraft or car. Self-drive is a viable option. If you’re on a package tour, your local tour operator will arrange pick-up from the airport and all further transportation as part of the tour.
Flights & Airlines to Malawi
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Malawi and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Airlines & Flights in Malawi
The national carrier only runs domestic flights between Lilongwe and Blantyre. A more versatile option is offered by Nyasa Express, which offers scheduled flights between Lilongwe, Likoma Island and Mfuwe (South Luangwa in Zambia). It also offers charter flights to most other domestic tourist destinations.
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Malawian embassy/high commission to verify that the information below is current.
- A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
- Passports must have at least three empty pages.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa.
- Visa regulations and application forms can be obtained from the Department of Immigration of Malawi.
- Visa arrangements in Malawi are on a reciprocal basis, so the list of countries whose citizens require a visa might change from time to time.
- Citizens of most countries can obtain a visa upon arrival. Information about visas, fees and the application process (including countries whose residents need a visa, and those who don’t) is available from Malawi’s Department of Immigration.
- Tourist visas are valid for 30 days and can be extended for up to three months for a small fee at local immigration offices: be sure to visit two to three days before your visa expires.
- On arrival in the country, visas need to be paid for in US dollars.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country, a yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required.
- For more information, including COVID-19 related entry requirements (if any), please check the website of your local Malawian embassy/high commission or the government travel advisories below:
- Australia
– www.smartraveller.gov.au - Canada
– travel.gc.ca - EU member states
– ec.europa.eu - Ireland
– www.dfa.ie - New Zealand
– www.safetravel.govt.nz - United Kingdom
– www.gov.uk - United States
– travel.state.gov
- Australia
