Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Guide (NBO)
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located around 12km (7.5 miles) to the southeast of central Nairobi, in the Embakasi suburb of the capital.
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, named after the country's first president and prime minister, serves the country’s capital city and is a major air transport hub for East Africa. Our Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport guide includes information on the airport’s facilities, transportation routes and nearby hotels.
Free shuttles from arrivals to domestic terminal 2 are available for international passengers making domestic connections with a designated pick-up spot.
Driving to the airport from central Nairobi is straightforward – follow Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue to Uhuru Highway/A104 southbound. Follow the A104 to B10 which leads directly to the airport entrance.
Public Transport
Bus: Services between the airport and the city centre depart from the bus stops outside Units 1 and 2 frequently throughout the day (journey time: approximately 45 minutes; fare: KSh40). Bus 34 runs every 20 minutes between downtown Nairobi and the airport from 0600 to 2100 for a fare of KES35. Minibuses run by hotels in the area rotate between the airport, city centre, and tourist attractions.
Shuttle: Citihoppa shuttle services are a low-cost alternative to taxis, with fares to the city starting at around KES40. Please note, in July 2013 it was widely reported that Citihoppa drivers were colluding with gangsters to rob passengers. Although the company denied these claims, travellers use the service at their own discretion and licensed taxis remain a safer alternative.
Taxi: Official taxis, operated by Kenatco (tel: +254 70 964 2000; www.kenatco.co.ke), are available outside the arrivals hall. An agreement on the price should be established in advance. The journey time to central Nairobi is 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions and the time of day. Visitors are advised to avoid the many private taxis to avoid being scammed.
Terminal facilities
ATMs, banking facilities and currency exchange services are available in the terminal building and in the arrival area.
There are multiple places to eat at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport including a café and coffee shop.
There are numerous shops at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. These include clothes shops, a jewellery retailer, a bookshop and duty-free shops.
There is a left-luggage service at the airport. For inquiries about lost luggage, contact the Kenya Airport Authority offices in the arrivals building. Luggage wrapping and weighing stations are also available in the check-in areas.
A first aid service is available to aid passengers with accidents and emergencies. There is a prayer room and children’s play area at the airport, but generally, other facilities are currently somewhat basic by international airport standards. Tour operators and travel agents are present to help with bookings and tourist information.
Airport facilities
There are no conference facilities at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, but there are several VIP lounge for business class travellers (eligibility criteria vary between lounges). Enquire at the information counters for fax, printer or copy services.
The nearest hotel with meeting facilities is the Panari (tel: +254 20 394 6000; www.panarihotels.com), which has a range of meeting rooms in varying sizes. Many larger hotels in the city centre also offer such facilities.
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has short- and long-term parking spaces with rates varying depending on duration and chosen lot.
The car hire companies Avis, Budget and Hertz are represented at the airport while many other companies have offices in Nairobi. Rentals are available from local distributors for a lower cost, but they are not as reliable.
Hilton Nairobi Hotel is a 25-minute drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The hotel offers 11 meeting rooms with a ballroom accommodating up to 700 delegates and a business centre with high-speed internet access. Other facilities include a restaurant, pub, outdoor pool and health club.
Just ten minutes from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Panari Hotel is the closest hotel to the site. This glass-fronted hotel boasts a full-service restaurant, a spa, meeting facilities and a leisure centre, which, quite impressively, incorporates what it claims as East Africa's first ice-rink.
Within 30 minutes of the airport, the 3-star Hotel Ambassadeur first opened its doors in 1961 and offers free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, a restaurant and a bar.
Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2024 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.