Transportation in Mombasa

Getting to Mombasa

By Air

There are a number of flights that operate every day between Mombasa and Nairobi. These one-hour flights are quite cheap and are definitely faster than the long train ride or the strenuous road trips.

For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.

By Rail

Despite the long journey of over twelve hours with delays in between, the Mombasa-Nairobi journey by train offers many options across the comfort and cost range for the rail traveller. The cheapest fare is the third-class fare of KSh 300 and usually patronised by the locals - it is generally crowded and free seats are rare. The second-class ticket for KSh 2300 offers you two meals and a bed in a four-person compartment. If you don't care for the meals or the bed, then the fare is just KSh 1000. For more perks like free drinking water, you could opt for a first-class in a two-person compartment that would cost you KSh 3100.

By Bus

There are numerous bus operators who offer their services between Mombasa and Nairobi. In Nairobi, the bus offices are on Accra Road while in Mombasa, most of the operators are on Jomo Kenyatta Ave, near the Shibu Road roundabout. There are regular services plying in the morning and at night and the journey takes about nine to eleven hours, depending on the condition of the road, the driving abilities of the driver, and the road worthiness of the bus. The bus operators charge between KSh 600 to KSh1, 000 for these services.

Getting Around Mombasa

By Road

You could also choose to travel around Mombasa by taxi. While they don't have signs on the roof that light up proclaiming them as taxis, these vehicles, usually a Nissan model, have their licences pasted on their windshield. While taxis are a relatively inexpensive option to travel, do check with the locals on the rates to your destination and ensure you strike a deal with the cab driver before you begin your trip.

And now there is also the popular Tuk Tuks, operating exactly the same way as taxis, but considerably cheaper. They take a maximum of 3 passengers and they are a fun and great way to get around town.

The other mode of inland transport in Mombasa is the popular local bus-taxis or the matatus that are used by the majority of the travelling public. These matatus run to packed capacities and cover the city and the neighbouring areas extensively. They are an inexpensive mode of transport but as their rates vary, do check with the locals at your hotel for the best rates to your destination. If you plan to travel beyond Mombasa to Nairobi, you could take the train that runs to Nairobi thrice a week. For travel outside Kenya, you could opt for any of the charter and commercial flights that touch various destinations in Europe and the United Kingdom.