Nairobi is one of the main transport hubs in all of East Africa, and as such is a very convenient place to start any trip to Kenya or further afield. A huge number of international airlines fly directly to Nairobi. As well, it is quite easy to organise trips and tours around the country while you are in Nairobi.
Nairobi offers a great variety of transport options, to a range of places and suiting a range of budgets!
Nairobi Transportation Guide
Air
Nairobi is the most convenient place in Kenya to start travelling, and, as such, most independent travellers fly directly to the capital. Jomo Kenyatta International is the main airport servicing Kenya, and is the largest airport in East Africa. Direct flights are available from destinations throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Visas are available at the airport, however the queues can be quite long, so you may wish to apply for one in advance. The airport is situated about 20 kilometres outside of Nairobi, and is well served by bus, taxi and matatu.
The other option is Wilson Airport, which can be useful for domestic flights, as well as flights to other East African destinations.
For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.
Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Kenya.
Flights to Nairobi
Railway
Crossing the country from east to west is the country's main railway line, operated by the Kenyan Railway Corporation. Stations are found in Nairobi as well as most of the larger towns and cities throughout the country. Although railway is not the quickest way to get around, a trip usually offers some stunning scenery of Kenya.
Bus
Buses are the most common form of transport throughout Nairobi, offering cheap fares and a relatively extensive network. Two companies include Kenya Bustrack, and Citi Hoppa, which is a privately run company offering reasonably new buses on many of the main routes around town.
Matatu
Matatus are vans that fill up with passengers, and are a common way of getting around. The number of bus and matatu routes can be quite overwhelming, so it is best to ask for local advice about which number to take. The stations are mostly located in reasonably dangerous parts of Nairobi, so it is best to take care when heading to them. It should cost roughly KSh 15-30 to get around in the Nairobi area.
Taxi
Taxis are the quickest and easiest way of getting around, but they can also be quite expensive. KSh 200 is the standard price to get around town, even for a very short distance. A trip to the airport would cost up to KSh 1,000. Taxis do not have meters, so you will need to agree the price with the driver beforehand - and remember to bargain, as the first fare you are quoted will generally be a lot higher than what you could ultimately get the fare down to.
Tuk tuk
These three wheeled scooters can be a handy way to get around short distances in the city centre. They are quite cheap, but can be relatively slow, and are not advised for longer distances.
Walking
Walking around Nairobi is a great way to get around, as it is not that big of a city, and most of the sights and things of interest within town are less than a 20 minute walk. Moi Avenue splits the city in half, and is Nairobi's major central road. Walking the streets will also give you a great feel for the city, and it is quite easy to navigate with a simple map.
Car Hire Rates
- Van Hire - 8 Seater Open top - Kshs 26 Per Km (USD 0.38 per Km)
- Toyota Corolla Saloon - Kshs5,000 per day Unlimited mileage (SD)
- Toyota Rav 4 FWD - Kshs 8,000 per day Unlimited mileage (SD)
- Toyota Prado FWD - Kshs 15,000 per day Unlimited mileage (SD)
SD - Self Drive
A Driver can be availed for the Self Drive options at a rate of Kshs1,200 per day.
