Planning essentials
Getting around Kenya
Reviewed 16 Oct 2026 · Each statement is labelled.
By train: the Madaraka Express (Nairobi–Mombasa)
The Madaraka Express runs between Nairobi Terminus and Mombasa Terminus. The Inter-County train stops at Mariakani, Miasenyi, Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River; the afternoon and night trains stop only at Voi.
Source: Kenya Railways (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Kenya Railways lists departures at 8:00 am, 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm, leaving both ends at the same time.
Source: Kenya Railways (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Timetables change, especially in holiday periods. Check before you book.
Book online at metickets.krc.co.ke, by USSD on *639#, or at a Madaraka Express station counter. Payment is by M-Pesa (SIM toolkit) or card at the counter.
Source: Kenya Railways (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Carry your original ID document — for example a Kenyan ID card or passport — and your original ticket; both are needed to board.
Source: Kenya Railways (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
A leisure train runs from Nairobi Terminus to Suswa on Fridays to Sundays.
Source: Kenya Railways (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
By air: Wilson Airport
Wilson Airport, about 5 km from Nairobi city centre on Langata Road, is run by the Kenya Airports Authority. About 90% of its flights are domestic.
Source: Logistics Cluster (WFP-led humanitarian logistics network) (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Flying saves long road days between far-apart places, such as a safari park and the coast. Schedules, baggage limits and fares vary by airline — KenyaPlus does not hold them.
KenyaPlus planning advice, not from an official source.
By road
The table below shows KenyaPlus estimates of driving time, not live traffic data. Real journeys can be faster on good highways or much slower in traffic, on rough roads or after rain.
Worked out as described under the table: from openrouteservice road routes plus an allowance for stops where KenyaPlus holds them, otherwise straight-line distance × 1.3 at an assumed 50 km/h average, including stops.
As a rule of thumb, avoid more than about six hours of driving on a day when you also plan activities.
KenyaPlus planning rule used by the Trip Reality Check.
| To | From Nairobi | From Mombasa |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | — | ~6½ h (long day) |
| Maasai Mara | ~5 h | ~11½ h (too far for one day) |
| Amboseli | ~4½ h | ~6½ h (long day) |
| Diani Beach | ~7 h (long day) | ~½ h |
| Mombasa | ~6½ h (long day) | — |
| Naivasha | ~1½ h | ~8 h (long day) |
| Lake Nakuru | ~2½ h | ~9 h (long day) |
| Tsavo East | ~5½ h | ~3 h |
| Samburu | ~5½ h | ~12 h (too far for one day) |
| Lamu | ~10 hto Mokowe + boat (too far for one day) | ~5½ hto Mokowe + boat |
| Mount Kenya | ~3 h | ~9½ h (too far for one day) |
| Malindi | ~9 h (long day) | ~2 h |
| Watamu | ~8½ h (long day) | ~2 h |
| Aberdare National Park | ~4 h | ~10½ h (too far for one day) |
| Lake Bogoria | ~4½ h | ~11 h (too far for one day) |
| Kakamega Forest | ~6 h (long day) | ~12½ h (too far for one day) |
| Tsavo West National Park | ~4½ h | ~4½ h |
| Meru National Park | ~6 h (long day) | ~12½ h (too far for one day) |
| Shimba Hills National Reserve | ~11½ h (too far for one day) | ~1 h |
| Mount Elgon National Park | ~6½ h (long day) | ~13 h (too far for one day) |
Driving time on the road route plus 20% for stops and slower traffic (Road routes © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors). Orange: a long day (over 6 h). Red: too far for one day (over 9 h).
Confirm before you travel
- Current train timetables and fares with Kenya Railways
- Flight schedules, baggage limits and airstrip transfers with your airline
- How to cross from Mombasa to the south coast (Diani), and current waiting times
- Road conditions on your route, especially during the rains
Ready to plan?
Turn this into a day-by-day plan and run the Trip Reality Check.
Sources
- Kenya Railways (opens in a new tab) — Madaraka Express Passenger Service (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Kenya Railways (opens in a new tab) — Madaraka Express — Frequently asked questions (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Logistics Cluster (WFP-led humanitarian logistics network) (opens in a new tab) — Kenya — Wilson Airport (Digital Logistics Capacity Assessment, citing kaa.go.ke) (checked 16 Oct 2026)