How to Travel From Nairobi to Mombasa, Kenya by Rail

Nairobi was founded around the same time as the creation of the Kenyan Railway system. The train route between this city and Mombasa has proven popular with travelers. If you sit near a window seat on this line, look for giraffe, elephants and wildebeest. Enjoy the local character of the villages and the inhabitants who form part of the exotic scenery. Follow these steps to start planning an unforgettable trip.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet connection
• Passport

Book Train Tickets

1. Contact Kenya Railways by phone to book tickets, at 011 ([phone].
2. Reserve tickets with a travel agent to avoid lines at travel time and to reserve sleeper compartments.
3. Book tickets at the station reservation office in Nairobi.

Schedule Your Trip

4. Plan to travel on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between Nairobi and Mombasa. Currently, trains run only three days per week, but check at the station. Schedules are subject to change.
5. Arrange your schedule around the 7 p.m. departure time. There is only one train departure scheduled each travel day.
6. Expect to spend 13 1/2 hours on the train. The Nairobi-Mombasa route is 329 miles long and usually arrives in Mombasa at 8:30 a.m. the following day.

Choose Your Class of Service

7. Luxuriate in a first-class sleeper car. These have seats that convert to two sleeping berths, and include all bedding as well as an in-compartment toilet and sink. The rate (about $45) also includes breakfast and dinner in the train restaurant car.
8. Choose second-class sleeper seats for a perfectly comfortable ride. The sleeper seats in these cars convert to four bunks, and each car includes bed linens and restroom facilities. Included in the ticket price of about $35 are breakfast and dinner in the dining car.
9. Opt for third-class seats to save money on your trip. The price for these varies. Check rates and availability at the time of booking.
10. Enjoy dining in the restaurant car no matter which ticket class you choose. Full meals, snacks, drinks and even some alcoholic beverages are available.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers given here include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally from outside the United States, substitute "00" for "011."
• All country codes in phone numbers given here are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign. The country code for Kenya is +254.
• Pack toilet paper, bottled water and insect repellent before you board the train.
• Bring binoculars to look out for wildlife along the way.
• If you are traveling with one or two people, second-class sleeper cars actually provide more space and offer many of the same comforts as first-class sleepers.
• Remember that first- and second-class compartments require advanced reservations.
• Allow plenty of time before your trip to get all required immunizations.
• Kenya Railways does not have an official Web site.
• Kenya continues to be subject to terrorist threats as well as to potential civil unrest. Visitors should be mindful of surroundings, especially in public places. Contact the United States Department of State for travel warnings regarding travel in this country.