Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is East Africa's busiest airport, serving Nairobi, Kenya's capital and the gateway to world-famous safari destinations. Located 18 km southeast of Nairobi's central business district in the Embakasi suburb, the airport handles over 9 million passengers annually and serves as the primary hub for Kenya Airways, the only African member of the SkyTeam alliance.

The airport has two terminals with Terminal 1 organized as a semi-circular complex:

• Terminal 1A: International departures and arrivals, 12 gates. Kenya Airways and SkyTeam partners operate here
• Terminal 1B: International departures only
• Terminal 1C: International departures only
• Terminal 1D: Domestic flights only (Kenya Airways, Jambojet)
• Terminal 1E: International arrivals, passport control and baggage claim
• Terminal 2: Low-cost regional carriers (Fly540, Safarilink), both domestic and international

Terminal 1's sub-terminals radiate from a central circular hub, allowing efficient passenger flow. Terminal 2 is smaller and typically less crowded.

NBO is a critical stopover for flights between Africa and Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. Kenya Airways operates routes to over 40 African destinations, plus long-haul flights to Amsterdam, London, Paris, New York, Dubai, Mumbai, and Bangkok.

Wilson Airport (WIL)

Nairobi has a second airport, Wilson Airport (WIL), located 6 km south of the city center and 18 km west of JKIA by road.

Airlines at Wilson Airport:

• Safarilink (largest operator)
• AirKenya Express
• Fly540
• Skyward Express

When to choose Wilson over JKIA:

• Flying to safari destinations (Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lamu, Diani Beach)
• Domestic flights on small aircraft
• Faster check-in with fewer crowds

Connecting between JKIA and Wilson:

Method	Time	Cost
Uber/Bolt	30-45 min	KES 1,500-2,500 (~$12-20 USD)
Taxi	30-45 min	KES 2,000-3,000 (~$16-24 USD)
Private transfer	30-45 min	KES 3,000-4,000 (~$24-32 USD)

Minimum connection time: Allow 3 hours between JKIA arrival and Wilson departure to clear immigration, collect bags, and transfer between airports.

Pro tip: Book safari flights from Wilson with morning departures when possible—this aligns with lodge check-in times and avoids afternoon Nairobi traffic.

NBO is located 18 km southeast of Nairobi CBD. Travel times vary based on traffic:

• Nairobi CBD: 30-50 minutes
• Westlands: 35-55 minutes
• Karen: 40-60 minutes
• Gigiri (UN area): 40-60 minutes
• Mombasa Road hotels: 10-20 minutes

Nairobi traffic can be severe during rush hours (7-9 AM and 5-8 PM). Uber or Bolt are the most reliable options for visitors. The JKIA Express train offers an alternative to road transport.

Uber and Bolt are widely available and recommended for visitors. Both apps work well at JKIA. Follow signs to the designated rideshare pickup area outside arrivals.

Typical rideshare fares:

• Nairobi CBD: KES 1,500-2,500 (~$12-20 USD)
• Westlands: KES 2,000-3,000 (~$16-24 USD)
• Karen: KES 2,500-3,500 (~$20-28 USD)
• Wilson Airport: KES 1,500-2,500 (~$12-20 USD)

Airport Taxis are available outside arrivals. Official yellow airport taxis charge around KES 2,000-3,000 (~$16-24 USD) to the city center. Always agree on the fare before departing.

Safety tip: Avoid unmarked taxis or touts in the arrivals hall. Use only Uber, Bolt, or official airport taxis. Most drivers accept Kenyan shillings or US dollars.

Tipping: 10-15% is customary for taxi drivers.

JKIA Express Train

The JKIA Express connects the airport to Nairobi Central Station via the Kenya Railways commuter train network.

How it works:

1. Take the free shuttle bus from Terminal 1 or 2 to Embakasi Village railway station (15 min)
2. Board the commuter train to Nairobi Central Station (20-25 min)

Route	Fare	Time
JKIA → Embakasi Village	Free shuttle	15 min
Embakasi Village → Nairobi Central	KES 100 (~$0.80 USD)	20-25 min

Hours: Daily 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Note: The SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) to Mombasa departs from Nairobi Terminus at Syokimau, about 11 km from JKIA (15-20 min by taxi, KES 800-1,000).

Bus Services

Public matatu minibuses operate along Mombasa Road but are not recommended for visitors unfamiliar with the system. They are crowded, lack luggage space, and routes can be confusing.

For most travelers, Uber/Bolt is the practical choice for reaching areas not served by the JKIA Express.

NBO offers multiple parking options:

Type	Rate	Notes
Short-term (30 min)	KES 150-250	Drop-off/pick-up zones
Hourly	KES 100-200/hour	2-hour maximum in some areas
Daily (saloon cars)	KES 1,000/day (~$8 USD)	Long-term lots
Daily (buses/trucks)	KES 1,250/day (~$10 USD)	—

Payment: Cash or M-Pesa (dial *48612# on Safaricom). RFID cards available for frequent users.

Rules: Maximum 2 hours in drop-off zones (KES 1,000 clamping fee). Maximum 14 days for long-term parking.

NBO offers reasonable dining options across both terminals, though prices are elevated compared to city restaurants.

Terminal 1A (International)

• Java House Express: Popular Kenyan coffee chain, quick service for coffee, sandwiches, and light meals
• Blue Sky Restaurant: Kenyan and continental dishes including Ugali, Sukuma Wiki, and tilapia
• Café Arabica: Coffee, chocolate cake, samosas, mango smoothies. Good seating with runway views
• Safari Coffee Lounge: Espresso, sandwiches, croissants, Kenyan tea

Terminal 1C/1D

• Chicken Inn: Fried chicken and burgers, quick service
• Departure Express: 24-hour café near Gate 4, croissants and coffee
• Kenchic Inn: Fast-food chicken

24-Hour Options

• Karibu Cafe (Arrivals)
• Safari Coffee Shop (Domestic Departures)
• Kwaheri Snack Bar (near Gate 4)
• Departure Express (Terminal 1C)

Halal options: Java House, KFC, and Blue Sky have halal-certified meat options. Prayer room located near Gate 14.

Free WiFi is available throughout JKIA, including terminals, lounges, and seating areas.

Network name: "JKIA-Free-WiFi" or "KAA-Hotspot"

To connect:

1. Select the network
2. Register with name, email, and phone number on the login page
3. Accept terms and conditions

Speed: Approximately 12 Mbps download, 18 Mbps upload—adequate for browsing, email, and messaging. Video streaming may be slow.

Time limit: Officially 24/7 without limitations, though some users report 45-60 minute session limits. Reconnect by re-registering with a different email.

Better WiFi: Lounges (Pride Lounge, Aspire Lounge) offer faster, more reliable connections.

Security tip: Avoid banking or sensitive transactions on public WiFi. Consider using a VPN.

SIM cards are available in the arrivals area of Terminal 1A immediately after customs.

Providers at JKIA

Carrier	SIM Cost	Notes
Safaricom	KES 100-200 (~$1-1.50 USD)	Best coverage, M-Pesa mobile money, closes ~9 PM
Airtel	KES 100-200 (~$1-1.50 USD)	Open 24 hours, cheaper data plans
Telkom	KES 100-200 (~$1-1.50 USD)	Open 24 hours, budget option

Recommended Data Plans

Carrier	Plan	Price	Includes
Safaricom	Daily 2GB	KES 99 (~$0.80 USD)	2GB + free WhatsApp
Safaricom	Monthly 30GB	KES 2,000 (~$16 USD)	30GB data
Airtel	Weekly 5GB	KES 500 (~$4 USD)	5GB data, 7 days

Safaricom is recommended for the best coverage nationwide, especially useful for safari destinations. M-Pesa (mobile money) is widely used throughout Kenya.

Registration: Kenya requires SIM registration. Bring your passport—the process takes 5-10 minutes with biometric capture.

eSIM: Safaricom offers eSIMs for KES 250 (~$2 USD) extra. Airtel and Telkom do not offer eSIMs.

ATMs are located throughout the terminal, including the arrivals hall. Major Kenyan banks represented include KCB, Standard Chartered, Barclays, and Equity Bank.

• Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
• Exchange rate: Approximately KES 125 = $1 USD (rates fluctuate)
• ATM fees: KES 400-600 (~$3-5 USD) per withdrawal for international cards
• Networks: Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Maestro accepted

Currency Exchange

Forex bureaus are located in arrivals (T1A, T1E) and departures (T1A, T1C):

• Travel Point Forex Bureau: 24-hour service in arrivals hall
• Giant Forex Bureau
• Metropolitan Forex Bureau
• Nairobi Forex Bureau

Exchange tip: Airport rates include 5-8% markups. ATM withdrawals typically offer better value. For best rates, exchange at forex bureaus in Nairobi CBD. Bring newer US bills in $50 or $100 denominations.

Card acceptance: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops in Nairobi and tourist areas. Safari lodges may prefer cash or card payments in USD.

JKIA has 16 shops offering duty-free goods, Kenyan souvenirs, and convenience items.

Duty-Free Shops

• World Duty Free / Dufry: Terminal 1A and 1E, spirits, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics
• Maya Duty Free: Full range of duty-free products
• Suzan Duty Free: Four shops in Terminal 1

Kenyan Souvenirs

• Taste of Kenya: Local products, coffee, tea, crafts
• African craft shops: Maasai beadwork, soapstone carvings, kikoys (traditional wraps)

Best Purchases

• Kenyan coffee: AA-grade beans from Mount Kenya or Nairobi blends
• Kenyan tea: Loose-leaf or packaged
• Macadamia nuts: Locally grown
• Amarula cream liqueur: South African specialty
• Maasai crafts: Beadwork, jewelry, blankets

Pricing: Perfumes and alcohol are 15-30% cheaper at duty-free. Electronics and souvenirs may not be cheaper than downtown shops. All prices are fixed and non-negotiable.

Reserve & Collect: Online pre-ordering available at nairobi.shopdutyfree.com for pickup at the airport.

Priority Pass Lounges

• Aspire Lounge (Terminal 1B): Opposite Gate 11. WiFi, showers, airside views. Priority Pass and Dragon Pass accepted. Day rate KES 3,900 (~$31 USD). Known for friendly staff and quiet atmosphere.

Airline Lounges

• Kenya Airways Pride Lounge (Terminal 1A): Near Gate 17. Spacious layout, buffet, showers, sleeping pods, business facilities. Access for Kenya Airways Business Class, SkyTeam Elite Plus, or KQ purchase ($40 for 8 hours when flying KQ/KLM/China Southern).

• Kenya Airways Simba Lounge (Terminal 1A): Departure area, second floor. Business class passengers and SkyTeam Gold. Free WiFi, refreshments, kid-friendly zone, recliner chairs.

• Turkish Airlines Lounge (Terminal 1A): Business Class passengers, Star Alliance Gold, or Priority Pass. Open 24 hours.

Access Summary

Lounge	Access Methods	Features
Aspire	Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, day pass (~$31)	Showers, WiFi, quiet
Pride Lounge	KQ Business, SkyTeam Elite Plus, purchase ($40)	Sleeping pods, showers
Simba Lounge	KQ Business, SkyTeam Gold	Kid zone, recliners
Turkish	TK Business, Star Gold, Priority Pass	24-hour

SkyTeam Elite members: As of April 2025, SkyTeam Platinum and Gold Elite members can access Kenya Airways domestic lounges.

Hotels near JKIA range from budget guesthouses to premium international brands. Several hotels offer complimentary airport shuttles.

On-Airport / Adjacent

• Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport: Within JKIA security perimeter, 172 rooms, rooftop pool. From $120/night.
• Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport: 5-minute drive, 144 rooms, 24-hour shuttle. From $100/night.
• Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport: Modern rooms, shuttle service. From $90/night.

Along Mombasa Road

• The Panari Hotel: 4-star, 10-minute drive, indoor ice rink, 136 rooms. From $80/night.
• Ole Sereni Hotel: 4-star, overlooks Nairobi National Park, highly rated. From $100/night.

Budget Options

• Chic Layover Hub: 15 minutes from JKIA. From $40/night.
• Zanzi Airport Transit Hub: Recently renovated guesthouse. From $35/night.

For longer stays: Nairobi's Westlands and Karen neighborhoods offer more dining and entertainment options, 35-50 minutes from the airport.

Nairobi is the gateway to some of Africa's most spectacular wildlife destinations and offers unique attractions of its own.

Safari Destinations

Masai Mara National Reserve — Kenya's most famous safari destination:

• By air: 45-minute flight from Wilson Airport. Safarilink operates multiple daily flights.
• By road: 5-6 hour drive from Nairobi
• Best time: July-October for the Great Migration (1.5 million wildebeest)
• Park fees: $100/day (Jul-Dec), $60/day (Jan-Jun)

Amboseli National Park — Famous for elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro views:

• By air: 40 minutes from Wilson Airport
• By road: 4 hours from Nairobi

Nairobi National Park — See wildlife with Nairobi skyline backdrop:

• 20 minutes from JKIA
• One of the best places in Kenya to see rhinos
• Perfect for layovers or limited time

Nairobi Attractions

• David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Orphaned elephant feeding, 11 AM daily. 30 minutes from JKIA. Advance booking required.
• Giraffe Centre: Feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes. 40 minutes from JKIA.
• Karen Blixen Museum: Historic home of "Out of Africa" author. 45 minutes from JKIA.
• Nairobi National Museum: Kenyan history, culture, and natural history. 40 minutes from JKIA.
• Karura Forest: Urban forest for hiking and cycling. 50 minutes from JKIA.

For Long Layovers (6+ hours)

• Nairobi National Park: Half-day safari, 20 minutes from airport. See lions, giraffes, buffalo, rhinos.
• David Sheldrick Trust + Giraffe Centre combo: Popular half-day itinerary.
• Kazuri Beads: Tour the famous bead factory in Karen.

Practical Tips

• Safety: Nairobi is generally safe in tourist areas during the day. Use Uber/Bolt at night, avoid walking with visible valuables, and stay aware of your surroundings.
• Weather: Tropical highland climate. Warm days (20-28°C/68-82°F), cool evenings. Long rains: March-May. Short rains: October-December.
• Language: English and Swahili are official languages. "Jambo" (hello) and "Asante" (thank you) are appreciated.
• Tipping: 10% at restaurants is standard. Safari guides: $10-20/day per person.
• Power outlets: Type G (British 3-pin). Voltage: 240V. Adapters available at airport shops.
• Malaria: Present in some areas. Consult a doctor about prophylaxis before safari travel.

Gateway to East Africa

NBO serves as the regional hub for East African travel. Common onward destinations include:

• Zanzibar (ZNZ): 90-minute flight, beach holidays and Stone Town
• Kilimanjaro (JRO): 45-minute flight, Tanzania safari gateway
• Entebbe (EBB): 1-hour flight, Uganda gorilla trekking
• Kigali (KGL): 1-hour flight, Rwanda gorilla permits
• Dar es Salaam (DAR): 1-hour flight, Tanzania coast
• Mombasa (MBA): 1-hour flight, Kenya coast beaches