🚆 Trains
Nairobi Terminus (Syokimau) → Mombasa Terminus (Miritini)
Kenya Railways — Madaraka Express (SGR)
The modern standard-gauge line across Tsavo country — Kenya’s best-value long-distance ride.
The Madaraka Express covers Nairobi–Mombasa in about five hours on clean, air-conditioned Chinese-built trains, racing through Tsavo National Park where elephants occasionally halt the line. Second class is comfortable 4-across seating; first class is 2-across with more legroom. A morning intercity train and an afternoon train run daily; overnight sleepers also operate on some days. Both terminus stations are far from the city centres — plan the last mile (Mombasa’s terminus is ~20 km from the Old Town).
- Operator
- Kenya Railways — Madaraka Express (SGR)
- Frequency
- Daily (morning + afternoon; overnight service some days)
- Typical duration
- 5–6 h
- Price range
- ≈ US$9 (2nd class) · US$29 (1st class)
- Luggage
- Generous overhead + rack space; no strict limit
Service classes
Booking information
☎ Book on metickets.krc.co.ke or at terminus ticket offices; bring the ID/passport used to book. Tickets sell out around holidays — buy a few days ahead.
Good to know
Security checks open ~1 h before departure and the train leaves on time. Snack trolley on board; bring water for Tsavo’s midday heat.
Times and fares are curated guidelines, not a live timetable. Always
confirm before you travel.