Getting Around Kenya: Transport Guide for Travellers

Getting around Kenya

Kenya is big, beautiful and surprisingly well connected if you know your options. Roads link the coast, the highlands and the Maasai Mara, while a modern railway ties Nairobi to Mombasa. Here is how locals and travellers actually get around.

Trains and the SGR

The star of Kenyan rail is the Madaraka Express (SGR), a modern standard-gauge train running between Nairobi and Mombasa in about five hours. There are two classes: economy (around 1,000 KSh) and first class (around 3,000 KSh). Book early through the official Kenya Railways platform or at the station, as popular departures sell out. Trains leave from Nairobi Terminus at Syokimau, a short ride from the city centre.

City transport and matatus

Nairobi has no metro, so most people rely on matatus, the colourful shared minibuses that cover fixed routes for 30 to 100 KSh. They are cheap and an experience, but crowded and confusing for first-timers. The newer BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lines are slowly expanding. For comfort, larger buses run by companies like Citi Hoppa are a calmer choice.

Ride-hailing apps

In Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, Bolt, Uber and the local Little app work well and are far safer than flagging unmarked taxis. Fares are metered and cashless or cash. A typical cross-town Nairobi trip costs 300 to 600 KSh. For short hops, boda bodas (motorbike taxis) are fast and cheap, but insist on a helmet.

Intercity buses and car rental

For long distances, comfortable coaches from Modern Coast, Easy Coach and Mash Poa link Nairobi to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. Book a day ahead and choose daytime departures for safety and scenery.

Self-driving is possible but demanding: traffic is heavy, and a 4x4 is essential for parks like the Maasai Mara or Amboseli. Many visitors hire a car with a driver-guide instead. International flights aside, domestic carriers like Jambojet and Safarilink save hours between Nairobi, the coast and safari airstrips.

Tips for smooth travel

• Carry small KSh notes for matatus and tips.
• Use M-Pesa mobile money, accepted almost everywhere.
• Avoid intercity night travel on the roads.
• Allow extra time for Nairobi traffic jams.

Stay connected in Kenya

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online the moment you land, so you can follow maps, translate signs, book SGR tickets and call a Bolt with no roaming fees.