How to Travel From Nairobi to Kisumu, Kenya by Rail
Kisumu sits on the shores of beautiful Lake Victoria. It's home to herds of impalas and grazing hippos. A train trip from Nairobi to Kisumu offers an opportunity to see the open plains and a chance to spot many of Kenya's native birds, reptiles and other animals. Follow these steps to plan an unforgettable trip.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Book Train Tickets
-
1
Call Kenya Railways at 011 (+254) 2 221 211 to make your reservations.
-
2
To buy tickets in person, go to the Nairobi train station on Haile Selassie Avenue. First-class tickets sell for around $40. The second-class seats are about $10 less. The price of third-class seats varies. Ask at the station for the current rates.
-
-
3
Reserve first- and second-class sleepers in advance. You can buy tickets through an independent travel agent.
Schedule Your Trip
-
4
Decide whether you want to depart on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. These are the only days the train runs from Nairobi to Kisumu.
-
5
Arrive at the Nairobi train station at least a half hour earlier than the 6:30 p.m. departure time. Remember, there's only one departure per travel day.
-
6
Bring plenty of things to do during the 13 1/2-hour journey. You should arrive in Kisumu at about 8 a.m. the following day.
Enjoy the Trip
-
7
Keep your eyes peeled for animals along the way. Some people take the train from Nairobi to Kisumu for the wildlife viewing alone!
-
8
Relax in the restaurant car and enjoy chatting with fellow adventurers. The dining service is for all travelers, regardless of seat class. The restaurant car serves hot meals, coffee and alcoholic beverages.
-
9
Enjoy the privacy in a first-class sleeper. You can relax in seats that convert to two berths, complete with all necessary bedding. You'll also have an en-suite bathroom and can dine in the restaurant car.
-
10
Stretch out in a second-class sleeper with four seats that convert to bunks. Bedding is included, as is an in-room bathroom. Breakfast and dinner in the restaurant car are also included in the ticket price.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
All phone numbers include the U.S. international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
All country codes in phone numbers given here are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
Some first-class cabins have adjoining doors, so larger parties can travel together. Inquire about this option during booking.
Visit a physician and get all required immunizations for travel to Kenya beforehand.
Don't forget to bring along your binoculars as well as a camera or camcorder for capturing views of wildlife.
Bring essential items like toilet paper, bottled water and insect repellent onto the train with you.
Kenya Railways doesn't have a Web site. You will not be able to book from the railway online.
Allow plenty of time for any connections at Kisumu. Don't cut things close. Arrival times are often unpredictable.
Visit the U.S. Department of State Web site to check for travel warnings in Kenya. Terrorist threats and civil unrest remain a problem.
