Flights in Kenya

Nairobi to Diani Beach

Skipping the road and the Likoni ferry. About 1 h 10 min in the air.

Jambojet, Safarilink and 1 more Reviewed 24 October 2026

Nairobi Diani Beach

Nairobi to Diani BeachPositions are approximate

In the air: 1 h 10 min About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes in the air; close to 3 hours from a Nairobi hotel to a Diani beachfront room.
Indicative fare, one way: USD 90–220 Indicative one-way range across three airlines: Jambojet about USD 90 to 150 (roughly KES 12,000 to 20,000), Safarilink about USD 150 to 220, Skyward about USD 140 to 210.
How often: Jambojet from JKIA; Safarilink and Skyward from Wilson Airport.
Best for: Skipping the road and the Likoni ferry

The route in brief

Flying straight to Ukunda saves the long drive south from Mombasa and the Likoni ferry crossing. Three airlines serve the route, from two different Nairobi airports, so the first decision is which one suits your arrival.

Jambojet flies Dash 8-Q400 aircraft from JKIA. Safarilink and Skyward fly turboprops from Wilson Airport.

How to do it

Decide where you start. Arriving on an international flight at JKIA makes Jambojet from JKIA the simplest connection. Coming from a bush safari or a Wilson Airport hotel favours Safarilink or Skyward.
Book directly with the airline, 2 to 3 weeks ahead if you can, especially in July to September and December to January.
Fly into Ukunda Airstrip (UKA). Most Diani hotels and camps are 10 to 25 minutes away by road; Galu Beach and Msambweni can take 30 to 40 minutes.
Arrange your hotel transfer before you fly, as taxis at a small airstrip are limited.

Who flies it

Airlines that fly Nairobi to Diani Beach
Airline	Airports	Fare guide	Checked bag	Good to know
JambojetScheduled	NBOUKA Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Ukunda Airstrip	KES 12,000–20,000	about 20 kg	Dash 8-Q400; about 1 hour 10 minutes. Jambojet website (opens in a new tab)
SafarilinkSafari airline	WILUKA Wilson Airport to Ukunda Airstrip	USD 150–220	about 15 kg	Turboprop from Wilson Airport.
Skyward Airlines (formerly Skyward Express)Scheduled	WILUKA Wilson Airport to Ukunda Airstrip	USD 140–210	about 15 kg	Turboprop from Wilson Airport.

Tips worth knowing

Jambojet usually allows about 20 kg checked and the Wilson airlines about 15 kg, so check before you pack.
If you are coming from Wilson after an international arrival at JKIA, leave at least 2 hours (3 to 4 on weekday mornings) between landing and take-off.
The cheapest way is the bus, but it takes 10 hours or more.

Other ways to get there

Ways to travel from Nairobi to Diani Beach
Way to travel	Time	Cost	Good to know
FlyJambojet, Safarilink, Skyward Airlines (formerly Skyward Express)	About 1 h 10 min	USD 90–220one way, indicative	About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes in the air; close to 3 hours from a Nairobi hotel to a Diani beachfront room.
Fly to Mombasa, then drive	Moi International to Diani is about 30 km: 45 to 60 minutes including the Likoni ferry	Flight fare plus a taxi or hotel transfer	Useful if the Mombasa fare is much lower than the flight to Ukunda.
SGR train, then drive	About 4.5 to 5 hours by train, then about 45 to 60 minutes by road including the ferry	Train fare plus a transfer	Syokimau to Miritini; see the Nairobi to Mombasa guide for the train details.
Drive from Nairobi	About 8 to 9 hours	Fuel and tolls	About 500 km in good conditions.
Long-distance bus	10 hours or more	The lowest-cost option	A long day, but inexpensive.

Where this comes from

Times, fares and schedules are gathered by hand from airline websites and published travel guides, then entered here as ranges. They are indicative, not live, and the airline’s own page always wins.