Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) serves Nairobi, the capital and largest city of Kenya. The airport sits 11 miles outside the central business district and now has multiple terminals handling travelers heading to East Africa and beyond.
The airport connects travelers to over 50 destinations worldwide through major carriers like Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and Saudia.
You’ll also find budget options including Fly 540 and Jambojet.
One of my favorite travel hacks is the direct overnight flight on Kenya Airways from JFK airport in New York. For me, it’s the perfect way to kick off a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, since the fastest route used to mean a layover in Europe or South Africa. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Terminals
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles mostly international flights, with gates 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E exclusively international. Gate 1D hosts domestic arrivals and departures for Kenya Airways and Jambojet.
Within Terminal 1, gate 1A handles both arrivals and departures from the arrivals hall. Gates 1B and 1C are departures only, also from the arrivals hall. Gate 1E handles international arrivals.
Terminal 2 is for regional airlines only, with Fly 540 and African Express being among those operating there. There’s a free shuttle bus that runs between the terminals (you can catch it right outside each terminal) and this daily service runs every 30 minutes from 5 am to 11 pm.
Getting to and from the airport
Alright, you’ve landed. Now what? Getting from NBO to the city is pretty straightforward, and you’ve got a few solid options depending on your budget and timeline.
Taxis and rideshares
The easiest and still inexpensive option is one of the bright yellow local taxis, available from official operators like Airport Yellow Cabs. Rates aren’t set, so negotiate with the driver before you start your journey. Even though printed rates are inside the cab, it’s best to confirm the price upfront.
Downtown Nairobi is a roughly 30-minute drive from the airport and the fee varies based on your negotiation. Due to high traffic, in my experience the local taxi drivers tend to negotiate a higher fee, but it’s still reasonable.
Rideshare options, including Uber, are also available. You can connect to the airport’s Wi-Fi to book via their apps. Taxis pick up at designated ranks outside the arrivals halls.
In my experience, it doesn’t necessarily work to book taxis ahead of time. To save yourself the trouble, just pick one up on arrival. You’ll never struggle to find one.
Buses and shuttles
For public transit, airport bus route 34 runs weekdays from 6 am to 9 pm. It takes about an hour to reach the city center and runs every 20 minutes or so, though they’re not prompt so don’t rely on their timing.
Most Nairobi hotels offer shuttle or luxury car service to and from the airport, which you’ll need to arrange ahead of time. They pick up right outside the arrivals hall gate with a sign board and a friendly smile.
Car rental
Driving in Kenya comes with challenges. Roads aren’t always paved and traffic can be nightmarish. I’ve found hiring a driver with a 4x4 vehicle, booked beforehand via my accommodation, is the best way to navigate the roads and conditions.
If you want to self-drive, you’ll find Avis inside the terminal at the airport, with car pick up right outside in the parking lot.
While Avis advertises 24/7 service at JKIA, check in advance if your flight gets in late.
There are also smaller local companies that offer both drivers and rental cars. Green Motion and Royal Umbrella are two I’d recommend. Green Motion operates via a “Meet & Greet” service in the arrivals area, while Royal Umbrella offers airport transfers and chauffeur or self-drive rentals.
Check-in
Check-in desks for airlines at Nairobi airport typically open three hours before departure time for international flights and two hours before domestic flights. Note that these desks aren’t always open and usually operate only on days when flights depart or arrive.
There are a few self-service kiosks at the airport, but not all airlines use them. Kenya Airways, KLM, and South African Airways flights definitely do. Terminal 1 isn’t large and you can easily walk between the different areas, from A through to D, before security.
Airport facilities
Nairobi airport is sizable but isn’t difficult to navigate. You can walk from one end to the other in just a few minutes.
You’ll find ample seating throughout with plenty of plug points (they use a three-way G plug here).
Free Wi-Fi is available and easy to log into.
At the airport you’ll find the Sikika Center providing 24-hour customer assistance for any queries. Staff can help with any queries you might have. The airport also has banks and forex bureaus dotted around, both in arrivals and departures areas. This is where you can exchange or withdraw Kenyan shillings, in case you need cash. Standard Chartered Bank also has a currency exchange in the arrivals area.
Airport food and drink
For a smallish airport, Jomo Kenyatta International has a good selection of places to grab a cup of famed Kenyan coffee and a bite to eat. My favorite is the Karibu Cafe (located at international arrivals), where they even offer a buffet lunch service. At domestic departures there’s the Safari Coffee shop serving Dorman’s coffee and snacks.
The Kwaheri Snack Bar, a self-service cafe near gate 4 on the international departures side, is where to grab a hot meal or snack before your flight. And outside Terminal 1C adjacent to the Unit 2 check-in area is The Pub, if you’d like to have a drink while waiting. For a fast-food option, The Kenchic Inn is a Kenyan classic that serves up roast chicken and fries in the arrivals hall.
Shops inside the airport
The duty-free shopping zone for international passengers features local crafts and arts from Kenyan manufacturers, perfect for picking up gifts. Dufry-operated stores in Terminals 1A and 1E offer fragrances, cosmetics, liquor, and local souvenirs. There’s also excellent Kenyan coffee, which I buy a few bags of every time I fly through to take home. If you’re interested in Kenyan or other African wines, check out the selections available in the duty-free area.
Lounges
Nairobi airport has various options for business lounges, including the Kenya Airways Pride and Simba Lounges and the Aspire Lounge, all of which offer dining, showers and business centers. In my experience, the Kenya Airways Pride business lounge has modern facilities and very comfortable chaise longues for a little nap. That’s where you’ll find me. Located in Terminal 1A, the Pride Lounge features a circular layout with airside views, a Business Experience Center with tablets and charging stations, and separate dining and rest zones.
Luggage storage
The small bush planes used to get to safari lodges often have very strict luggage requirements in terms of weight. So, I’ve used the luggage storage service here (available at the arrivals hall) many times, leaving my big suitcase there and just taking a smaller bag for the bush. It requires some paperwork, your passport and a small fee, but it’s certainly a good option to have.
Luggage wrapping
When traveling around smaller airports in Africa, some passengers like to take extra precautions with their luggage. The airport therefore offers a security add on, at a cost, for luggage to be tightly wrapped in plastic. This prevents bumps, scratches and theft. I have used this service when traveling with gifts in my bag around the continent.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
