Nairobi is Kenya's vibrant capital city and a major hub for East Africa, blending modern skyscrapers with abundant wildlife right at the city's edge. It is the only city in the world with a national park within its boundaries, where lions and giraffes roam against a backdrop of the urban skyline. Known as the 'Green City in the Sun,' Nairobi offers world-class dining, diverse culture, and serves as the gateway to Kenya's legendary safari destinations.
- Public
- Matatu network covers the entire city but can be unsafe and unpredictable; BRT routes are newer and better regulated
- Taxi
- Available via Uber, Bolt and Little Cab apps; much cheaper and safer than street hailing
- Rental
- Car hire available from Hertz, Budget and local companies from $40-80/day; useful for day trips to parks
- Walking
- Westlands, Karen and Gigiri are walkable; CBD should only be walked during the day with valuables hidden
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $25-35, 30-60 min to city centre
- Taxi Info
- Negotiate fare before departure; official airport taxis are at designated rank outside arrivals
- Shuttle
- $5, Kenya Airways shuttle service
- Shuttle Info
- Kenya Airways Express shuttle bus runs from JKIA to KICC in the CBD
- Bus
- $1, public bus No. 34 and 46
- Bus Info
- Public buses to Kencom bus stage in CBD; only advisable without heavy luggage
- Private
- $50-80, pre-booked private transfer
- Private Info
- Book through hotel or reputable operator for guaranteed meet-and-greet service
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Matatus (minibuses) cover all city routes for KES 30-100 ($0.30-1) per journey; BRT buses on main corridors are safer
Alternatives
Uber and Bolt are the recommended options; the Little Cab app is a Kenyan alternative to Uber
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- KES 300-500 ($3-5) base plus KES 50-100/km; negotiate fare before starting
- Apps
- Uber, Bolt, Little Cab, InDriver
- App Names
- Uber, Bolt, Little Cab, InDriver
- Typical Fare
- $5-15 for average city ride depending on distance and traffic
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance buses (Easy Coach, Modern Coast, Mash) from $5-15 to upcountry destinations
Shared
Shared taxis (matatus) serve nearby towns like Thika, Machakos and Ngong from $1-5
Flights
Domestic flights via Wilson Airport from $80-200 one way to Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lamu
Private
Private car hire from $60/day for upcountry trips with a driver
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Nairobi is served by Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), East Africa's busiest hub, located 15km southeast of the city. Wilson Airport handles domestic and light aircraft flights. Within the city, ride-hailing apps are the safest transport option, while matatus (minibuses) are the cheapest. The standard gauge railway (SGR) connects Nairobi to Mombasa.
Airports
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Wilson Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Most widely used ride-hailing app in Nairobi; reliable and GPS-tracked
Bolt
Often slightly cheaper than Uber; growing presence in Nairobi
Little Cab
Kenyan-owned ride app; good alternative with local driver knowledge
Google Maps
Best navigation app for Nairobi; download offline before arriving
Ma3Route
Nairobi-specific traffic and matatu information app
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber, Bolt and Little Cab apps before arriving — essential for safe city navigation
Share your Uber/Bolt trip with a contact and track it on the map
Never hail unofficial taxis from the street, especially at night
Nairobi traffic is worst 7-9 AM and 4:30-7:30 PM — avoid these times if possible
The SGR train from Syokimau to Mombasa is the best way to travel to the coast
Wilson Airport is the gateway for most safari camp transfers by light aircraft
Matatus are colour-coded by route — but navigating them requires local knowledge
Download Google Maps offline for Nairobi before you arrive