Coast
Flights in Kenya
Nairobi to Mombasa
The fastest way to the coast. About 1 h in the air.
Kenya Airways, Jambojet and 1 more Reviewed 24 October 2026
Nairobi
Mombasa
The route in brief
Nairobi to Mombasa is Kenya's busiest domestic route and the easiest way to start a beach holiday. Flights leave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and land at Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
Flying is the shortest option, but the Madaraka Express train is a real alternative if you would rather see the country and avoid airport queues.
How to do it
Compare Kenya Airways and Jambojet for your dates and compare the full ticket price with bags included, not just the headline fare.
Book on the airline's own website, or ask a travel agent or your safari operator to arrange it.
Check which Nairobi airport is on your ticket. Scheduled jets use JKIA, not Wilson Airport.
Arrive about 90 minutes before departure, or follow your airline's own check-in deadline.
On arrival, Moi International is on the island's mainland side; arrange a taxi or hotel transfer to your hotel in Mombasa, Nyali, Bamburi or beyond.
Who flies it
| Airline | Airports | Fare guide | Checked bag | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya AirwaysScheduled | NBOMBA Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Moi International Airport | Ask the airline | Depends on the fare | Several flights a day. Kenya Airways website (opens in a new tab) |
| JambojetScheduled | NBOMBA Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Moi International Airport | Ask the airline | about 20 kg | Low-cost option; check the bag allowance in your fare. Jambojet website (opens in a new tab) |
| Skyward Airlines (formerly Skyward Express)Scheduled | WILMBA Wilson Airport to Moi International Airport | Ask the airline | about 15 kg | Listed in published route lists from Wilson Airport; confirm the current schedule before relying on it. |
Tips worth knowing
- Fares move with the date, the booking window and bag options, so treat the range as an estimate.
- If you are continuing to Diani, compare flying straight to Ukunda (see Nairobi to Diani Beach) with flying to Mombasa and driving.
- Keep your ticket and your ID with you rather than in checked luggage.
Other ways to get there
| Way to travel | Time | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlyKenya Airways, Jambojet, Skyward Airlines (formerly Skyward Express) | About 1 h | KES 6,000–15,000one way, indicative | About one hour in the air; allow about 3 hours door to door. |
| Madaraka Express (SGR) train | About 4.5 to 5 hours | Published 2026 figures differ: roughly KES 1,000 to 1,500 economy and KES 3,000 to 4,500 first class. Confirm on the Kenya Railways booking channel. | Trains leave from Syokimau (about 20 km south of Nairobi centre) and arrive at Miritini outside Mombasa. Two departures a day (about 8:00 and 15:00) are consistently reported. Economy allows about 20 kg of luggage and first class about 30 kg, according to one source. |
| Drive | About 8 to 9 hours | Fuel and tolls | About 500 km. Plan for heavy lorry traffic on the main road. |
| Long-distance bus | 10 hours or more | The lowest-cost option | Comfortable coaches run overnight and by day, but the journey is long. |
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.
- Metros Kenya: Nairobi to Mombasa flights (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Jambojet (destinations) (opens in a new tab)
- Kenya Coast: Domestic airlines (2020 listing) (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 24 October 2026
Keep going
Related flights
Other routes that start or end in Nairobi or Mombasa.
Safari reserves
Safari reserves