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Airport Transportation

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Also known as: Nairobi Airport, JKIA, NBO Airport, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport. Formerly Embakasi Airport.

NBO · HKJK · Nairobi

Airport facts

Name
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
IATA code
NBO
ICAO code
HKJK
City
Nairobi
Country
Kenya
Coordinates
-1.3189, 36.9282
Time zone
Africa/Nairobi
Terminals
Terminal 1, divided into units 1A to 1E, handles most flights; a separate Terminal 2 serves low-cost and regional airlines

About Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the international airport of Nairobi, Kenya, and is run by the Kenya Airports Authority. Kenya Airways is based here and flies across Africa and to Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including Amsterdam, London, Paris, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangkok and New York. Other airlines link Nairobi with hubs such as Addis Ababa, Doha, Istanbul, Johannesburg and Cairo, while Kenya Airways and Jambojet fly domestic routes to Mombasa, Kisumu and Malindi.

Terminal 1 is split into units: 1A for Kenya Airways and its SkyTeam partners, 1B and 1C for other international departures, 1D for domestic flights and 1E for international arrivals. Terminal 2 is a separate building used by low-cost, regional and charter flights.

The airport lies in the Embakasi area, about 18 km southeast of the city center, reached from Mombasa Road. The Nairobi Expressway runs from the airport area to Westlands, and the drive to the CBD usually takes 25 to 40 minutes outside rush hour.

From the airport, travelers continue to central Nairobi and Westlands, to Wilson Airport for light-aircraft flights to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Samburu, and on domestic flights to Mombasa and Diani Beach.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Kenya Airports Authority

Passengers per year

About 9.1 million in 2024

Runways

One runway (06/24), 4,117 m long

Main airline

Kenya Airways

Opened

1958, as Embakasi Airport

Arrival tips for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

After landing, follow the Arrivals and Immigration signs; international passengers clear immigration in the Terminal 1E arrivals area. Most visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online at etakenya.go.ke before departure, while East African Community citizens and many African nationals are exempt. Immigration queues can pass 45 minutes when several long-haul flights land in the evening.

Bags arrive in the baggage claim hall. At customs, use the green channel if you have nothing to declare and the red channel if you do. The public arrivals area beyond customs has ATMs, foreign exchange counters and SIM card desks for Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom.

Pre-booked drivers, hotel staff and safari guides wait in the public arrivals area with name boards. Licensed taxis use the rank just outside arrivals; ignore touts and unsolicited ride offers, and agree the fare before you leave.

Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling and East Africa Time (UTC+3), with no daylight saving. The airport sits about 1,624 m above sea level.

Ground transportation

Most travelers use a pre-booked transfer or a licensed taxi, since public transport from the terminals is limited.

  • Taxi from Nairobi airport

    Licensed taxis wait at the rank just outside arrivals. The ride to the CBD or Westlands takes about 25 to 40 minutes via the Nairobi Expressway outside rush hour, and over an hour in heavy traffic without it. Agree the fare, and whether Expressway tolls are included, before setting off.

  • Private transfer

    Drivers meet you with a name board in the public arrivals area after customs. It suits late arrivals and onward trips to Wilson Airport, but it has to be arranged in advance.

  • Rideshare

    Uber, Bolt and Little Cab operate at JKIA. Pickups usually happen in the public parking area rather than at the taxi rank, and drivers often call to confirm the spot, so you need mobile data.

  • Bus 34 to the city

    City bus route 34 serves the airport and runs to central Nairobi. It is slow in traffic and awkward with large luggage.

  • Transfer to Wilson Airport

    Wilson Airport, used by Safarilink and AirKenya Express for safari flights, is about 18 km away by road. Allow about an hour from customs to Wilson check-in, more in heavy traffic; bags must be collected at JKIA and checked in again.

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Moving between terminals

  1. Walking within Terminal 1

    Units 1A, 1B, 1C and the international side of 1D are usually connected airside; follow the Flight Connections signs.

  2. Domestic to international

    The domestic and international areas are separate, so on separate tickets you generally go landside, collect bags and check in again.

  3. Terminal 1 to Terminal 2

    Terminal 2 has no airside walkway to Terminal 1. Use the airport shuttle or a taxi and allow 15 to 30 minutes.

Terminals

Terminal 1A

International arrivals and departures for Kenya Airways and its SkyTeam partners. It opened in 2014.

Terminals 1B and 1C

International departures for airlines that do not use Terminal 1A, with shared check-in, duty-free shops and cafés.

Terminal 1D

Domestic arrivals and departures, including Kenya Airways and Jambojet flights to Mombasa, Kisumu and other Kenyan cities.

Terminal 1E

International arrivals hall where passengers clear immigration and customs before entering the public arrivals area.

Terminal 2

A separate building about 900 metres from the main complex, used by low-cost, regional and charter flights, with both domestic and international check-in.

Airlines and destinations

The main airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Air Arabia Terminals 1B and 1C

Sharjah

Airline guide

Air France T1A

Paris (Charles de Gaulle)

Airline guide

Air Tanzania Terminals 1B and 1C

Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar

Airlink Terminals 1B and 1C

Johannesburg

British Airways Terminals 1B and 1C

London Heathrow

Airline guide

Brussels Airlines Terminals 1B and 1C

Brussels

Airline guide

EgyptAir Terminals 1B and 1C

Cairo

Airline guide

Emirates Terminals 1B and 1C

Dubai

Airline guide

Ethiopian Airlines Terminals 1B and 1C

Addis Ababa

Airline guide

Etihad Airways Terminals 1B and 1C

Abu Dhabi

Airline guide

flydubai Terminals 1B and 1C

Dubai

Airline guide

IndiGo Terminals 1B and 1C

Mumbai

Airline guide

Jambojet T1D

Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Malindi, Diani (Ukunda)

Kenya Airways T1A

Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Paris, New York (JFK), Dubai, Mumbai, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Johannesburg, Lagos, Accra, Kigali, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar

Kenya Airways T1D

Mombasa, Kisumu, Malindi

KLM T1A

Amsterdam

Airline guide

Qatar Airways Terminals 1B and 1C

Doha

Airline guide

Saudia Terminals 1B and 1C

Jeddah

Airline guide

Turkish Airlines Terminals 1B and 1C

Istanbul

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Nairobi city center?

The airport is about 18 km southeast of central Nairobi. By road the trip to the CBD or Westlands usually takes 25 to 40 minutes using the Nairobi Expressway outside rush hour. Without the Expressway, or at peak times, the drive along Mombasa Road can take more than an hour, so allow extra time in the morning and evening.

Is Nairobi airport inside the city?

Yes. JKIA lies in Embakasi, a suburb within Nairobi, on the southeastern side of the city. It is reached from Mombasa Road via Airport South Road. The CBD and Westlands are linked to the airport area by the Nairobi Expressway, an elevated toll road, which avoids much of the city traffic.

How many terminals does Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have?

JKIA has two terminal buildings. Terminal 1 is divided into units: 1A for Kenya Airways and SkyTeam partners, 1B and 1C for other international departures, 1D for domestic flights and 1E for international arrivals. Terminal 2 is a separate building about 900 metres away, used by low-cost, regional and charter flights. Check your ticket for the unit you need.

Which terminal does Kenya Airways use at JKIA?

Kenya Airways uses Terminal 1A for international flights, together with SkyTeam partners such as KLM and Air France. Its domestic flights, and those of its low-cost subsidiary Jambojet, generally use Terminal 1D. Other international airlines usually depart from Terminals 1B and 1C. Terminal assignments can change, so confirm on your booking and the departure screens.

Are there official taxis at Nairobi airport?

Yes. Licensed airport taxis wait at a designated rank just outside the arrivals area. Fares are agreed before the trip, so confirm the amount and whether Nairobi Expressway tolls are included before you get in. Avoid touts and people offering rides inside or outside the terminal, and use only the official rank or a driver you arranged in advance.

Is there public transport from JKIA to Nairobi city center?

City bus route 34 serves the airport and runs to central Nairobi. It is the only regular public option from the terminals, but it is slow in traffic and has little space for large suitcases. Most arriving international travelers use a licensed taxi, a ride-hailing app or a pre-arranged transfer instead, especially after dark or with luggage.

Can I use Uber or Bolt at Nairobi airport?

Yes. Uber, Bolt and Little Cab all operate at JKIA. Pickups usually take place in the public parking area rather than at the taxi rank, and drivers often call or message to confirm the exact spot. You need mobile data to book, so buying a local SIM card in the arrivals area first can help.

Do I need an eTA to enter Kenya?

Most visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online at etakenya.go.ke before departure. Citizens of East African Community countries and many other African nations are exempt for stays of up to 60, 90 or 180 days, depending on nationality. Travelers who skip a required eTA can be refused boarding or charged a penalty on arrival.

How do I get from JKIA to Wilson Airport for a safari flight?

Wilson Airport, used by Safarilink and AirKenya Express for flights to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Samburu, is about 18 km from JKIA by road. Expect around an hour from clearing customs to checking in at Wilson, and longer in heavy traffic. Bags are not checked through, so you collect them at JKIA and check in again.

How do I get from Nairobi airport to Mombasa or Diani Beach?

Kenya Airways and Jambojet fly from JKIA to Mombasa, and Jambojet also serves Diani (Ukunda) and Malindi. Domestic flights generally leave from Terminal 1D. If you arrive on an international flight with a separate ticket, you will need to collect your bags, go landside and check in again for the domestic leg.

What time zone and currency does Kenya use?

Kenya is on East Africa Time (UTC+3) all year and does not use daylight saving time. The currency is the Kenyan shilling. Bureaus in the arrivals area change US dollars, euros and pounds, ATMs are available, and the M-Pesa mobile money service is widely used. The airport sits about 1,624 m above sea level.

Who operates Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and how busy is it?

The airport is run by the Kenya Airports Authority. It handled about 9.1 million passengers in 2024 and is the base of Kenya Airways. It has a single runway, 4,117 m long. The airport opened in 1958 as Embakasi Airport and was later renamed after Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from NBO