Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Nairobi
Most visitors take a taxi, Uber/Bolt or a pre-booked transfer, which takes about 30–60 minutes depending on traffic on Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway. Public matatus and buses are cheap but not practical with luggage.
Best for most people: Ride-hailing or pre-booked transfer. Prices are agreed in advance, drivers know the hotels, and it avoids haggling after a long flight.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| taxi Airport taxis from the official rank or desks outside Arrivals | about 30–60 min to the CBD or Westlands | about KES 2,500–4,000 to the CBD, more to Karen or Westlands | 24 h | Agree the fare before getting in; most are not metered. | |
| ride-hailing Uber and Bolt, pick-up from the area indicated in the app | about 30–60 min | often about KES 1,500–3,000 to the CBD | 24 h | Drivers may ask you to walk to the pick-up zone in the car park. | |
| private transfer Hotel or safari operator pick-up meeting you in Arrivals | about 30–60 min | fixed, agreed in advance | any flight time | Common for safari travellers, often included in packages. | |
| bus City buses and matatus from the main road near the airport to the CBD | about 60–90 min | frequent during the day | about KES 100–200 | daytime | Crowded, with little room for luggage; not recommended at night. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Other airports
- Wilson Airport (WIL), close to the city, handles domestic and safari flights to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and the coast
Tips
- The Nairobi Expressway (a toll road) can cut the trip to Westlands to about 20–30 minutes; ask your driver to use it and expect the toll to be added.
- Traffic on Mombasa Road at rush hour can make the trip take over an hour.
- M-Pesa is widely used; many drivers also take cash in Kenyan shillings.
- If connecting to a safari flight, Wilson Airport is a separate airport about 30–45 minutes by road from JKIA.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Nairobi Airport to the city centre?
Expect about KES 2,500–4,000 to the CBD with an airport taxi, and more to Westlands or Karen. Uber and Bolt are usually cheaper, roughly KES 1,500–3,000, with the price shown in advance. Agree the fare with an airport taxi before leaving, and add the toll if you use the Expressway.
How long does it take from JKIA to Nairobi?
About 30–60 minutes to the CBD, and longer at rush hour. The Nairobi Expressway toll road speeds up trips to Westlands and the CBD, sometimes to about 20–30 minutes. Karen and Langata, south-west of the city, take roughly 45–75 minutes.
Is Uber available at Nairobi Airport?
Yes. Uber and Bolt both operate at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and are popular with visitors. You need mobile data, so buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport. Check the pick-up point in the app, which is often in the car park rather than at the kerb.
Can I take public transport from Nairobi Airport?
City buses and matatus run from the main road near the airport to the CBD for about KES 100–200. They are cheap but crowded, with little space for luggage, and are not recommended at night or for first-time visitors. A taxi, Uber or transfer is easier and safer.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.