nomadr
Go Back

Getting There & Away in Nairobi

Overall9.3/10Easier to reach than about 90% of cities

Good to know

Good to Know

  • JKIA is about 15 km southeast of city center; Nairobi Expressway toll road offers faster access by bypassing traffic.
  • Wilson Airport is 8 km south—common for safari bookings. Transfers between the two airports can take 30+ minutes in Nairobi traffic.
  • Matatus are the cheapest transport but unpredictable and sometimes unsafe; official buses (KBS, City Hoppa) are more reliable for first-time visitors.
  • SGR to Mombasa is reliable and popular; booking online via official website recommended; journey is scenic and comfortable.
  • Nairobi National Park (7 km away) offers a unique safari experience with city skyline backdrop—accessible even on airport layovers.
  • For day trips beyond Lake Naivasha (e.g., Amboseli, Mara), flying is recommended to minimize 8+ hours of driving.
  • Ride-sharing apps (Uber, Bolt, Little Cab) are widely available and often safer than street-hailed taxis, especially at night.
  • Currency: Kenya Shilling (KES). Current rate ~KES 129 per USD. Exchange is reliable at airport and major ATMs.

Airports

  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
    IATA Code
    NBO
    Icao Code
    HKJK
    Key Routes
    London Gatwick/Heathrow (Kenya Airways, British Airways), Paris (Air France, Air Austral), Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), New York (Kenya Airways), domestic cities: Mombasa, Kisumu, Lamu, Malindi, Eldoret, Ukunda
    Airlines Sample
    Kenya Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, South African Airways, Ethiopia Airlines, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, China Southern, EgyptAir, Etihad
    Arrival Recommendation
    Arrive 3 hours before international departures, 2 hours before domestic
    Distance From City Center
    15 km southeast
    Description
    Kenya's busiest airport and primary international gateway to East Africa. Handles intercontinental, regional, and domestic flights.

    Terminals

    • Terminal 1A
      Purpose
      International arrivals and departures, Kenya Airways and SkyTeam partners
    • Terminal 1B & 1C
      Purpose
      International departures
    • Terminal 1D
      Purpose
      Domestic flights
    • Terminal 1E
      Purpose
      International arrivals
    • Terminal 2
      Purpose
      Low-cost carriers and regional flights
  • Wilson Airport (WIL)
    Purpose
    Safari flights to national parks (Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu), Kenyan coast, and regional destinations (Serengeti, Tanzania)
    Amenities
    Charming, old-school aviation atmosphere with minimal amenities
    IATA Code
    WIL
    Structure
    Multiple small, airline-specific terminals operated by carriers like Safarilink, Airkenya, Fly540
    Distance From City Center
    8 km south
    Description
    Domestic and regional aviation hub. Africa's busiest general aviation airport. Primary departure point for scheduled and charter safari flights.

Day Trip Access

  • Nairobi National Park
    Access
    Within city. Only national park in the world adjacent to a capital city.
    Distance
    7 km south of CBD
    Highlights
    Black rhinos (over 50), lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, hippos, 400+ bird species
    Travel Time
    20–30 minutes by car
    Safari Options
    Half-day or full-day game drives, private or group tours
  • Amboseli National Park
    Distance
    240 km south
    Highlights
    Massive elephant herds, Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop, lions, cheetahs, buffalo
    Safari Type
    Full-day recommended; flying preferred to maximize park time
    Travel Time
    4–5 hours by road / 45 minutes by flight
  • Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park
    Distance
    2–2.5 hours by road
    Activities
    Mix of land and water experiences
    Highlights
    Hippos, giraffes, zebras, walking safari on Crescent Island, boat rides, cycling, gorge hikes
  • Lake Nakuru National Park
    Distance
    2.5–3 hours via Great Rift Valley
    Highlights
    Black and white rhinos, flamingos, giraffes, zebras, lions, colorful birdlife
  • Ol Pejeta Conservancy
    Distance
    3.5–4 hours by road
    Highlights
    Big Five (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, rhinos), chimpanzee sanctuary, conservation-focused
  • Masai Mara National Reserve
    Distance
    Long day trip by air recommended (60–90 min flight)
    Highlights
    Kenya's premier wildlife reserve; Big Five, seasonal wildebeest migration
    Notes
    Accessible on full-day safari only if flying; extensive driving time if road-based
  • Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Elephant Orphanage)
    Distance
    Within Nairobi, near NNP
    Highlight
    Orphaned baby elephants bottle-fed, conservation education
  • Giraffe Centre
    Distance
    Karen area, suburbs of Nairobi
    Highlight
    Hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes, conservation awareness

Within City

  • Matatu (Shared Minibus)
    Capacity
    14–25 seaters, brightly decorated
    Coverage
    Backbone of Nairobi transport. Over 70% of commuter trips in Nairobi use matatus.
    Cost Estimate
    Varies; typically KES 30–100+ depending on distance
    Notes
    No fixed stops; hail along routes. Fares vary by demand, time of day, traffic. Cash payment to conductor. Often crowded and subject to unruly driving.
  • Bus (Organized)
    Operators
    Kenya Bus Service (KBS), City Hoppa, Double M
    Notes
    Better for longer distances. Depart from central terminals.
    Description
    Fixed routes, more formal than matatus. Safer and less chaotic.
  • Taxi (Street-hailed)
    Cost Estimate
    CBD to CBD ~KES 500; CBD to Karen/Langata ~KES 1,200
    Identification
    Yellow stripe on cream/yellow vehicle
    Notes
    No meters; negotiate fare beforehand. More expensive but safer than matatu, especially after dark.
  • Ride-sharing App (Uber, Bolt, Little Cab)
    Advantages
    Transparent pricing, driver tracking, customer ratings, safety features
    Cost Estimate
    Competitive with or cheaper than street taxis
  • Commuter Rail
    Description
    Limited service. Kenya Railways operates commuter rail linking CBD to suburbs, mainly during rush hours.
  • Tuk-tuk (3-wheel Auto-rickshaw)
    Description
    Available in some Nairobi areas for short distances. Fares negotiable; approx. KES 100.

From Airport To City

  • 30-45 Minutes to CBD Depending on Traffic
    Cost
    KES 1,500
    How to get there
    Taxi (Official Airport Taxi)
    Notes
    Fixed rates to various locations. Most common method. Available 24/7.
  • Uber/Ride-hailing Apps
    Cost
    KES 1,000
    Notes
    Uber, Bolt, Little Cab available. Safer and more transparent than street taxis.
  • Public Bus (KBS Route 34)
    Cost
    KES 75
    Notes
    Kenya Bus Service connects JKIA to Nairobi CBD. Most affordable. Runs 6 AM–9 PM.
  • Matatu
    Cost
    KES 50
    Notes
    Budget minibus option. Less comfortable with luggage, can be overcrowded.
  • Shuttle (Hotel-based)
    Cost
    KES 1,500
    Notes
    Westlands hotels typically charge KES 1,000–2,500 per one-way trip. Karen area ~KES 2,500.
  • Car Rental
    Notes
    AVIS, Hertz, Europcar available at airport. Driving in Nairobi requires caution; heavy traffic congestion, especially peak hours.
  • Boda-boda (Motorcycle Taxi)
    Cost
    KES 350
    Notes
    Fast but less common at airport. Typical range KES 200–500 depending on distance. Less recommended for heavy luggage.

Rail Connections

Standard Gauge Railway Sgr

Route
Mombasa – Nairobi – Naivasha
Extension
Phase 2A extended to Naivasha (120 km) in 2019
Future Plans
Proposed extension to Kisumu and Uganda border (on hold; funding challenges since 2023)
Intermediate Stations
9 stations between Mombasa and Nairobi, including Voi
Nairobi Terminus Location
Syokimau area, near JKIA
Description
Modern standard-gauge railway connecting Kenya's port city to the capital and beyond.

Passenger Service

Status
Operational since June 2017
Amenities
Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, on-board food services, scenic views
Frequency
3 departures daily
Train Name
Madaraka Express
Journey Time
5–6 hours (Mombasa–Nairobi)
Fare Estimate
KES 1,500

Schedule

  • Intercounty
    Arrival
    2:10 PM
    Departure
    8:00 AM
    Direction
    Mombasa to Nairobi
  • Afternoon Express
    Arrival
    8:18 PM
    Departure
    3:00 PM
    Direction
    Mombasa to Nairobi
  • Night Express
    Arrival
    3:35 AM
    Departure
    10:00 PM
    Direction
    Mombasa to Nairobi

Travel Notes

Pre Booking
Many day safaris require advance booking. Tour operators handle transport, park fees, and meals.
Driving Conditions
Left-hand traffic, heavy congestion during peak hours, potholes common, speed limits 50 km/h urban / 100 km/h highways. Drunk driving laws strictly enforced.
Inter Airport Transfer
Nairobi has two airports ~20 km apart; Nairobi traffic is infamously congested. Allow generous time for transfers between NBO and Wilson (typically 30+ minutes depending on traffic).
Public Transport Safety
Matatus and buses have mixed safety reputation due to overcrowding and maintenance issues. Tourists often prefer taxis or ride-sharing apps, especially at night.
Domestic Flight Recommendation
For day safaris beyond immediate parks (Amboseli, Mara), flying is recommended to minimize travel time.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.nairobi-airport.com
  2. 2.flightconnections.com
  3. 3.flightradar24.com
  4. 4.alpha-roadshows.com
  5. 5.secretflying.com
  6. 6.en.wikipedia.org
  7. 7.en.wikipedia.org
  8. 8.railway-technology.com
  9. 9.africakenyasafaris.com
  10. 10.en.wikipedia.org
  11. 11.jkiaairport.com
  12. 12.ole-sereni.com
  13. 13.milehacker.com
  14. 14.naturaltoursandsafaris.com
  15. 15.safaribookings.com
  16. 16.africakenyasafaris.com
  17. 17.wise.com
  18. 18.xe.com

More About Nairobi

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.