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Embarking on a train journey from Nairobi to Mombasa is a truly memorable experience that offers a unique perspective on the beauty of Kenya. As you wind your way through the countryside, you’ll be treated to stunning vistas of the savannas and lush green forests. The journey is made even more special by the SGR (Standard Gauge Railway), which offers comfortable and convenient travel for passengers.
But this isn’t just any ordinary train ride. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to cross through different cities and even a national park! If you are lucky, you will even see large animals, such as elephants and zebras along the way!
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Nairobi to Mombasa train journey, discussing the schedules, seating options, and how to make this trip as enjoyable as possible.
Table of Contents
Train Schedules
The train runs every day, and there are 3 round trip options available each day.
For Nairobi to Mombasa, the options are:
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 8:15 PM, or 10:00 PM – 3:35 AM.
The 3 PM and 10 PM trains are express trains, so they don’t make any stops before arriving at Mombasa. The 8 AM train, known as an inter-county train, makes brief stops at Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, Maisenyi, and Mariakani.
For Mombasa to Nairobi, the options are exactly the same. The trains leave both stations at the same time each day.
Ticket Options
Here is a breakdown of the different ticket options and prices.
First Class
First class tickets cost 3000 Kenyan shillings ($23.25 USD) for adults, and 1000 shillings ($7.75 USD) for children between 3 and 11 years old. You will not need to pay for children younger than 3 years old.
In first class, there are 4 seats in each row. Each seat faces toward the front of the train, and each seat has a small table. The services, such as food orders, are faster in first class. Finally, first class ticket holders wait in a separate lounge and board the train first.
Economy Class
Economy class tickets cost 1000 shillings ($7.75 USD) for adults, and 500 shillings ($3.88 USD) for children between the 3 and 11 years old. You will not need to pay for children younger than 3 years old.
In economy class, the seats are smaller and there are 6 seats in each row. The seats also face each other, so there is less privacy. The staff also do not bring the food cart by as often.
How to Purchase Your Ticket
With M-Pesa
This is the website to book your tickets. A problem that I ran into is that you can only pay for your tickets online with M-Pesa. M-Pesa is a money-transfer system that Kenyans can use on their cell phones. Unfortunately, there was no option to pay with a card, so I had to get creative.
If you are staying at a hotel or apartment, you can ask a trustworthy employee if they can purchase the ticket for you with their M-Pesa. You will just have to reimburse them with cash. That is what I did and it worked without a problem.
In person
If you have time, you can visit the train station and purchase the tickets in person. You will be able to pay with a card, but cash is no longer accepted. I would not recommend buying a ticket on the same day, but there will likely be Economy Class seats available if you are fine with that.
Online service with credit card
Finally, if you don’t mind paying a little extra, you can find an online service, such as this one, that will book your train ticket with M-Pesa, and you will reimburse them with cash.
The Journey
Once you get past all of the security checkpoints and get your ticket printed out, you will wait for your train to arrive in a large waiting area. There are plenty of snacks and drinks available while you wait. When you get called to board, people will swarm toward the train. I like to hang back a little bit before boarding. Each coach is numbered so it is easy to find your seat.
The trip will last about 5-6 hours. People are generally friendly and willing to be social, so you can pass the time by talking to your neighbors. You can also enjoy the scenery outside. The train passes through Tsavo National Park. Once you get near the town of Voi, look east out of the window. I always see elephants, zebras, and sometimes gazelles.
Transportation Once You Arrive
Depending on which city you are arriving to, there are a few different options for transportation from the train station.
Uber
Taking an Uber may be convenient for getting to the train stations, but it might not be the best option for departing. Dozens of people will be calling Ubers at the same time, so you might have trouble finding one available. However, they can be a good option if you don’t mind waiting a while.
Matatu
If you are arriving at the Mombasa Terminus, you will be greeted by numerous taxi and matatu drivers offering to take you to your final destination. Matatus are minibuses that operate like shared taxis, so they are a good option for the budget-minded traveler. I took a matatu from Mombasa Terminus directly to my hostel in Nyali Beach for 500 shillings ($3.38 USD). A taxi would have been much more expensive.
Train
If you are arriving at the Nairobi Terminus, there is a train you can take to drop you off into Central Nairobi. The fare is only 50 shillings ($0.38 USD). This will make it much cheaper and more convenient to get a ride to your final destination. Just make sure to get to the train quickly after arriving, as it doesn’t wait for passengers very long!
Tips for Visiting
Before you travel across Kenya by train, here are 5 tips to ensure your trip goes smoothly.
1. First class is worth the extra money!
Your seats will be bigger and more comfortable, you will have more leg room, and there is even a dining car you can access to have a meal. First class tickets cost 3000 shillings ($23.25 USD) and economy tickets cost 1000 shillings ($7.75 USD). In my opinion, paying the extra money is worth it.
2. Arrive to the terminus with plenty of time
You will have to go through several security checkpoints and passport checks before you can enter the terminus. If you have to print your ticket, that could also add time if there is a long line. I’d recommend arriving at least 1 hour before your departure time.
3. Don't bring drugs
If that is your thing, this is not the place to bring them. All of your luggage is will be laid out and sniffed by multiple dogs prior to being allowed to enter the terminus. It then goes through at least two different scanners. Don’t even try it.
4. Wear something comfortable
The trip will last 5-6 hours. Although there is A/C on the trains, it will likely get hot and you may be uncomfortable if you aren’t dressed appropriately.
5. Bring earplugs or noise-canceling headphones
Bring earplugs for if you decide to take a nap or read a book. Or if you just don’t want to go crazy. There will be babies on this train, and they will be crying. Trust me, it will be a long ride if you have to listen to that the entire way.
