SGR Nairobi-Mombasa fares and trains
| Class | Nairobi-Mombasa fare |
|---|---|
| Economy | KES 1,500 |
| First class | KES 4,500 |
| Premium | KES 12,000 |
Published operator schedule checked 20 September 2026. Confirm availability and the final booking total for your travel date.
How to book the SGR
Start at metickets.krc.co.ke or another sales channel explicitly listed by Kenya Railways. The published terms also list station booking and the Safaricom USSD service *639#. Enter the passenger name and passport or ID accurately; carry the original matching document.
The published schedule lists the Nairobi intercounty train at 08:00-14:00, the afternoon express at 15:00-20:30 and the overnight express at 22:00-03:55 the following day. These are station times, not hotel-to-hotel durations. Railways asks passengers to arrive at least an hour before departure.
M-PESA is a listed payment method and point-of-sale payment is listed for counters. Do not assume a foreign card will work in every online checkout. Before choosing a night train, confirm a reliable arrival transfer at the other end.
Sources: Kenya Railways: official booking · Kenya Railways: published fares and schedule · Kenya Railways: conditions of carriage
Changes, cancellations and children
The published conditions require cancellation at least 48 hours before departure with a 30% fee. Rescheduling is at least 48 hours ahead, subject to availability, with a 10% fee and only one change. The terms distinguish counter procedures for economy and first class from online premium changes. Verify the current process before relying on a flexible ticket.
Children under three may travel without a separate seat under the stated infant conditions; ages three to eleven have a half-fare provision and passengers aged twelve and over pay adult fares. The fare poster and conditions do not phrase the exact three-year boundary identically, so ask Railways to confirm that case before payment.
Sources: Kenya Railways: conditions of carriage · Kenya Railways: published fares and schedule
Domestic flights and airport changes
Safarilink publishes routes from Wilson Airport to safari and coastal destinations. Nairobi’s international airport, JKIA, is a different airport: a same-city transfer is still a road journey through traffic. Confirm the airport code, check-in deadline, baggage allowance and the last airstrip-to-camp transfer.
Small-aircraft baggage rules depend on the airline and fare. Get the actual weight and bag-shape allowance in writing instead of assuming your international suitcase fits. A scheduled flight may call at another airstrip; confirm the current routing if arrival time matters.
Sources: Safarilink: scheduled Kenya flights
Matatus, ride-hailing and private drivers
Matatus can be useful for travellers comfortable with local route knowledge, but a route name alone will not tell you where to board, when it fills or how luggage is handled. Ask a reliable local contact to identify the correct stage and current fare. For an unfamiliar first arrival, a prearranged transfer is easier to coordinate.
For app-based taxis, verify the registration and driver against the booking, share the trip where possible and wait somewhere identifiable. App availability and quoted prices vary; we do not publish a permanent Uber-versus-Bolt price ranking. A safari driver-guide quotation should specify fuel, park driving, the driver’s expenses, vehicle capacity and recovery support.
Sources: UK FCDO: Kenya safety and security
Self-drive decisions
Check licence recognition, rental insurance, road restrictions and whether your route needs a suitable four-wheel-drive vehicle. Ask about tyres, spare equipment, breakdown assistance and crossing into a park or conservancy. Driving after dark adds visibility, navigation and fatigue problems; build the itinerary so it is not required.
Road time estimates should include breaks, town traffic, gate processing and the track to the lodge. Avoid combining a long road transfer with an unprotected international flight connection.
Sources: UK FCDO: Kenya safety and security
Questions & answers
Where do I buy SGR tickets?
Use Kenya Railways’ official metickets.krc.co.ke portal or another channel listed in its published conditions.
How much is economy Nairobi-Mombasa?
The published adult one-way fare is KES 1,500, checked 20 September 2026; confirm your date and passenger category in the booking.
How early should I reach the station?
Kenya Railways’ terms say at least one hour before departure; add the transfer time from your accommodation.
Are Wilson and JKIA the same airport?
No. Allow for a road transfer between the safari-flight airport and the international airport.
Can I self-drive a safari?
It depends on the rental agreement, vehicle, route, insurance and park rules. Confirm these before booking rather than assuming a normal city rental is suitable.
Sources & verification
Checked on 21 September 2026. Prices apply only to the visitor category and dates stated. Route timings, suggested stays and budget scenarios are editorial planning estimates unless a source is specified.
- Kenya Railways: official booking - checked 20 September 2026.
- Kenya Railways: published fares and schedule - checked 20 September 2026.
- Kenya Railways: conditions of carriage - checked 20 September 2026.
- Safarilink: scheduled Kenya flights - checked 20 September 2026.
- UK FCDO: Kenya safety and security - checked 20 September 2026.
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