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Getting There By Air:

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Tel: (020) 822 111.
Website: www.kenyaairports.co.ke

Lying 15km (9 miles) southeast of the city center on the Mombasa Highway, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is East and Central Africa’s largest and busiest airport.

Airport facilities are basic but include a bank, exchange bureau, duty-free shops, restaurant and coffee shop.

To get from the main airport to the city center, take a taxi from outside the arrivals hall. Ignore the taxi touts within the buildings. Taxis don’t have meters so be prepared to haggle for the fare and agree a price before setting off. Alternatively, catch the Metro Shuttle that runs to the city center or the bus that departs from outside the arrivals hall for the River Road district.

It is possible to charter small planes to visit game parks and more remote regions of the country, useful if you have more money than time to spend in Kenya. Charter flights can be organized at the much smaller Wilson Airport (tel: (020) 501 941) on Langata Road.

Getting There By Road:

Ordinary buses cover the entire country. Main routes include those between Nairobi and Mombasa, and from Nairobi heading west. Vehicles are reasonably fast, comfortable and run more or less on time. Tickets should be reserved a day in advance and most companies have offices adjacent to the main station in the River Road district.

Akamaba on Lagos Road (tel: (020) 222 027) is the largest company in the country and has the best safety record. Coastline on Accra Road (tel: (020) 217 592) and Scandinavian Express on River Road (tel: (020) 242 523) are also well regarded.

In order to drive in Kenya you require a valid driving license from your home country, or better an international driving license. Kenyans drive on the left, although vehicles usually choose whichever bit of road is least pot-holed until they have to pass one another. Beware of unexpected obstacles, wildlife and people in the road. A car indicating right does not want you to overtake, whilst a car signalling left is suggesting that it is safe to do so. Do not take this for granted though. Be aware that car-jacking does occur in Nairobi, but tourists and hired cars aren’t usually targeted.

Hiring a car is a good way of exploring the country and hire cars are welcome in game parks and reserves. To rent a car you must be at least 23-25 years old, depending on the agency. Vehicles are cheaper to rent by the week than the day if you plan to cover a lot of miles. Agencies include Avis on University Way (tel: (020) 244 977; website: www.avis.com), Budget on Mombasa Road (tel: (020) 652 144 and at the airport; website: www.budget.com), Central Rent-a-car at the 680 Hotel, Muindi Mbingu Street (tel: (020) 222 8880) and Hertz at the Stanley Hotel, Standard Street (tel: (020) 311 143; website: www.hertz.com).

Vehicle repairs can be done at Kwik Fit Tyres and Auto Repair on the Ring Road (tel: (020) 374 0215).

Getting There By Rail:

Nairobi’s train station on Station Road (tel: (020) 221 211) is very central. There is a matatu (minibuses) station immediately outside for transport to and from the station. Otherwise simply walk along Moi Avenue to the city center.

Kenya’s railways have been neglected for years and are in a sorry state. Almost all services are suspended, the exceptions being the lines between Nairobi and Mombasa, and Nairobi and Kisumu. The former, which runs through the Athi Plains and across the Marangu Plains, is a particular favorite and runs daily, although it is frequently subject to lengthy delays. The Nairobi to Kisumu train operates three times a week.

There are three classes of seat, based on the number of people sharing a berth. Meals and bedding cost a little extra.

Getting Around:

Public Transport
Exploring the city is fairly straightforward. During the day people tend to walk, whilst remaining wary of notorious hotspots. At night they catch a taxi. There is also a wide range of public transport on Nairobi’s roads. Nairobi is the only Kenyan city with a metro bus service and is also over-run with matatus (minibuses).

Buses and matatus have a bad reputation for safety and accidents. Government regulations introduced in 2003 are designed to change this, but aren’t always adhered to. Drivers now usually wear uniforms and badges, but often seatbelts aren’t fitted and speed regulators designed to cap the vehicles top speed often don’t work. Official numbers of passengers allowed onboard are often flouted and loud music, banned by the government, is still integral to many journeys.

Local buses are run by Citi Hoppa and the government outfit KBS (tel: (020) 229 707), whose main stations are in the River Road district between Ronald Ngala, Mfango and Uyoma Streets. KBS also have a downtown booking office on Muindi Mbingu Street (tel: (020) 341 250). Buses are numbered according to their route, although bus stops aren’t.

Matatus in town are often white Nissan minibuses. In the countryside they tend to be rickety pick-ups with wooden benches beneath a canvas roof. Despite the risks, they are cheap and often convenient ways to travel. Stations are scattered along River Road. Rates are fairly standardized and there is no additional charge for luggage unless you have a particularly heavy load.

Taxis
Grey, London-style cabs are run by the Kenya Taxi Cabs Association (tel: (020) 222 953). These are reliable and have mostly predetermined prices. Another good taxi outfit is Kenatco, who have branches in town (tel: (020) 225 123) and at the airport (tel: (020) 824 248). All licensed taxis have a yellow stripe. Peugeot share taxis are faster and will go where you ask, but usually don’t set off until full. Haggle hard for fares and always agree a price before starting the journey. Look for them around Accra Road, River Road or Ronald Ngala Street.

Tuk-tuks, three-wheeled motorcycle rickshaws more commonly associated with Asia, have also started to be used for short trips.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles can be hired from Kenya Cycle Mart on Butere Road, who also carry spare parts and fix bikes.

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