Travel to Kenya
Flying to Kenya
Kenya is well connected by air, with the vast majority of international flights arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi (NBO). This is the country's main aviation hub and a major gateway to East Africa, offering good onward connections within Kenya and to neighbouring countries. The airport is modern, busy, and well-equipped for international arrivals.
The national carrier, Kenya Airways, operates an extensive network of routes linking Nairobi with Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Direct long-haul services commonly include London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and Mumbai, while regional flights connect Kenya with destinations across the African continent. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Kenya Airways also offers convenient connections through partner airlines.
A wide range of international airlines fly to Kenya, particularly from Europe and the Middle East. These include carriers such as British Airways, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, as well as Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways. These provide one-stop connections from cities worldwide.
For travellers heading straight to the coast or specific safari regions, Kenya has several other international airports. Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa receives direct and seasonal flights from Europe and the Middle East, particularly during peak holiday periods. Smaller international airports at Kisumu and Eldoret handle regional traffic.
Flight times:
From London to Nairobi: 8 hours 35 minutes (direct).
Airport guides
Airport Code: NBO. Location: Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located around 12km (7.5 miles) to the southeast of... Money: ATMs, banking facilities and currency exchange services are available in the terminal building and... Read more
Airport Code: MBA. Location: Mombasa Moi International Airport is located approximately 10km (6 miles) west of Mombasa in... Money: There are ATMs and three banks in the Arrival and Departure terminals. The banks also offer foreign... Read more
Travel by rail
At present, Kenya does not have any cross-border passenger rail services linking it directly with neighbouring countries.
Driving to Kenya
Kenya shares land borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia. The busiest and most commonly used crossing is the Malaba border between Kenya and Uganda, which handles a large volume of passenger and freight traffic and is well established for travellers. Other popular crossings include Busia on the Uganda border and Namanga on the main route between Nairobi and Arusha in Tanzania, which is frequently used by tourists travelling between Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Crossings from Ethiopia, such as Moyale, are increasingly used following road improvements, though journeys can still be long and remote. Borders with South Sudan and Somalia are less commonly used by tourists due to security concerns and travel advisories, and overland travel from these countries is generally discouraged.
Border procedures are generally straightforward, though conditions, opening hours, and security can vary, so it is advisable to check current requirements before travelling. In addition, visitors driving into Kenya must carry the correct visa, vehicle registration documents, and insurance valid for Kenya. A COMESA Yellow Card is commonly used for cross-border vehicle insurance in the region. Road conditions approaching borders can vary, and formalities may take time, so patience and preparation are essential when entering Kenya by road.
Getting to Kenya by boat
There are no regular international passenger ferry services linking Kenya with its neighbouring countries.
Along the coast, the main maritime gateway is the port of Mombasa, one of the largest and busiest ports in East Africa. While Mombasa is primarily a commercial and cargo port, it does occasionally receive cruise ships operating in the Indian Ocean. Cruise arrivals are irregular and seasonal, often forming part of longer itineraries that include ports in southern Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, or the Middle East.
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