Kenya Railways | Train from Mombasa to Nairobi
From the moment I discovered that train travel in Kenya was an option, I knew I had to experience it for myself. The idea of taking advantage of Kenya Railways and traveling through the terrain of this beautiful country didn’t need much convincing, I was all in.
Once in Kenya, I had the chance to explore its beauty aboard the Madaraka Express, a modern high-speed train that connects Mombasa and Nairobi. I saw this journey as more than just a mode of transportation, it was a unique opportunity to see Kenya from a different perspective.
If you’re a curious traveler, this ride gives you front-row views of Kenya’s landscape. So, let’s dive into what it’s really like to travel Kenya by train!
Booking Your Ticket For Madaraka Express
You can reserve your seat on the train either online or in person at the station. I chose to book my ticket online because I didn’t want to risk showing up only to find that all the seats were sold out. That said, the online booking process can be a bit tricky.
To book online, you need to have M-Pesa, Kenya’s mobile money service. While most locals use it regularly, international visitors typically won’t have access to it. Fortunately, my friends and I knew someone living in Kenya who was able to make the purchase on my behalf.
If that’s not an option for you, you can buy your ticket in person at the station. Just make sure to arrive early to give yourself enough time to queue, especially on weekends or during peak travel times. Showing up early also increases your chances of getting a seat, as trains can sell out quickly.
What To Expect At The Station
Your experience at the train station will vary depending on the day and time of your travel. I traveled on a weekend and caught the train departing Mombasa at 5pm, and things were a bit chaotic.
About two minutes before arriving at the station, there’s a security checkpoint where all passengers are required to exit their vehicles. It might sound like a stressful experience, but it was actually straightforward. Simply follow the instructions given, and it moves fairly quickly.
After clearing this checkpoint, you’ll drive a short distance to reach the main station. That’s where things got a bit hectic for us. The parking lot was crowded, and it took us a while to figure out where to park. We ended up parking further from the entrance, which made handling our luggage a bit inconvenient. We had quite a few bags with us, and unfortunately, there were no luggage carts available. That meant hauling everything in the heat all the way to the entry point.
The first entry is through a tent area where you’ll come across another security checkpoint. All luggage must be placed on a carousel and inspected with the help of security dogs. Because of the high number of travellers and the fast pace enforced by security, this part of the process felt rushed and a little stressful. We had to quickly put our luggage down, and quickly pick them up once given clearance to do so. And I mean QUICKLY! The weather was hot, but I’m pretty sure most of my sweating was from how stressed and overwhelmed I felt — but maybe that’s just me.
Once through that checkpoint, you’ll walk up to the station’s main building, which has the ticket office, terminals, and platforms. Before entering, you’ll have to line up to put your luggage through a scanner. Yes, another security screening. Again, this moved relatively fast, and with the crowd and no carts, it was hard to keep track of our bags as they came out of the scanner.
My advice? Travel light if you’re taking the train in Kenya.
After clearing the final security checkpoint, we were finally able to head to our designated gate and wait for the train. The station and terminal area were clean and organized once inside, but the lead-up definitely requires some patience and planning.
Kenya Railways – The Ride
The train ride from Mombasa to Nairobi is approximately 2 hours long, depending on the weather conditions. Personally, I found it to be a scenic and relaxed way to travel between the two cities. One thing to keep in mind is that there’s no Wi-Fi available on board. If you’ll need internet access during the journey, be sure to have mobile data ready before departure.
Food is available onboard, including simple options like sandwiches, chips, candy, and other light snacks. It’s convenient, but I found it to be limited. If you have specific dietary preferences, definitely consider bringing your own.
I traveled in the first-class coach, which I found to be quite comfortable. The seats were spacious and well-designed for functionality because it included a charging port, a pull-out tray, and sufficient legroom. As someone who’s often very picky about cleanliness when travel, I had no concerns with this coach.
The ride itself was pleasant overall. Initially, the sound of the train on the tracks was a bit loud, but after a while, I got used to it and was able to relax and enjoy the ride.
Before my trip, I heard that one of the benefits of taking advantage of Kenya railways is the possibility of seeing giraffes or elephants during your train ride. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to have these sightings, but the scenery was still stunning nonetheless!
Arriving in Nairobi
We arrived in Nairobi at night, and I immediately noticed that the station was well-lit and organized, with clear signage guiding passengers toward the exit and pickup points. While the crowd was manageable, there was still a bit of hustle as people made their way to their rides or taxis.
We made the mistake of not arranging our transportation before we arrived, and unfortunately it was raining when we arrived so finding our way out was a bit challenging. I’d recommend arranging your transportation ahead of time, whether that’s a taxi, ride-share app, or someone picking you up. Nairobi at night is busy in its own way, so having a plan in place will make your arrival smoother and less stressful.
Final Thoughts on Kenya Railways
Despite the long journey and brief moments of chaos, I found this trip to be the perfect mix of comfort and adventure. I personally appreciated the difference compared to travelling by air. Kenya Railways seems to offer a reliable and comfortable journey that will get you from from A to point B while offering pleasant scenic views.
If you want to try something different, definitely skip the local flight and hop on a the Madaraka Express!
Be sure to check out my travel guide for things to do while you’re in Kenya!
