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I have had several travel experiences with the Nairobi to Mombasa train adventure. The Madaraka Express train, mainly known as the Standard Guage Railway(SGR) train, serves the Nairobi to Mombasa route. I must say that it’s a good experience since you’ll see wildlife along the way from Nairobi to Mombasa.
In this blog, I will unveil my experience in the Nairobi to Mombasa train adventure and what you gain as a traveler. Find your next destination with us. We promise more adventure guides to help you get the most from your vacations in Kenya.
Keep reading.
Nairobi to Mombasa Train Adventure: Departure Schedule
The SGR train always travels according to a certain schedule. There are three trips to Mombasa: one is an intercounty, Express, and the other one is the Night shift. You can use the intercounty train to visit Tsavo East National Park on your way to Mombasa. The table below shows the different times when the train leaves Nairobi and other stations along the way.
| Station | 10:00 PM | Express Departure | Night Depature |
| Nairobi Terminus | 8:20 AM | 3:00 PM | Night Departure |
| Athi River | 8:22 AM | ||
| Emali | 9:31 AM | ||
| Kibwezi | 10:18 AM | ||
| Mtito Andei | 10:54 AM | ||
| Voi | 12:08 PM | 6:53 PM | |
| Miasenyi | 12:43 PM | ||
| Mariakani | 13:30 PM | ||
| Arrive at Mombasa | 2:00 PM | 20:08 PM | 3:35 AM |
How to Buy a SGR Train Ticket
There are several ways to buy an SGR train ticket in Kenya. In my case, I usually buy my tickets from the Nairobi terminus some days before I travel. However, this happens because I don’t reside far from the terminus.
- Buy a ticket at the nearest SGR station
You can buy your ticket over the counter if you are not far from any SGR station. However, you should be aware that they do not accept cash. The only acceptable means of payment are M-pesa, debit, and credit cards.
The ticket booking stops 20 minutes before the train departs from the Nairobi terminus. However, this depends on whether the current trip is fully booked. Therefore, if you intend to pay on your day of travel, you should call the booking office to be certain of your seat.
- Book online via Metickets
You can book your ticket via the Kenya Railways website (metickets.krc.co.ke). However, note that this site accepts payment via M-Pesa only. Therefore, if you don’t have a Safaricom network line, you may need to get one once you get to the country.
- Book with an SSD code on a Safaricom SIM card
If you cannot book online or at the SGR station, you can book your travel using the code *639# and follow the prompts. You should have money in your M-pesa before you start the process.
The Cost of Nairobi to Mombasa Train tickets
As of the date of writing this article, the economy class ticket from Nairobi to Mombasa is Ksh.1500 ($10). On the other hand, the cost for a first-class Nairobi to Mombasa train ticket is Ksh.4500 ($30).
These tickets were initially Ksh.1000 ($6.67) for economy class and Ksh. 3000 ($20) for first-class passengers.
You can also spend less on accommodation once you get to your destination. For example, with platforms like booking.com, you can easily find a hostel or a hotel room for your stay in Mombasa.
Nairobi to Mombasa Train Adventure: What’s on the Way?
1. Lukenya National Reserve
There is much to explore on the Nairobi to Mombasa train adventure. First and foremost, we start with the immediate Lukenya National Reserve, which is just a few kilometers from the Nairobi terminus.
On this reserve, you will see Zebras, Giraffes, Antelopes, and different types of birds. The SGR train passes near small water bodies in the region. Therefore, spotting some of these animals on the Nairobi to Mombasa train adventure is easy.
2. Beautiful Terrains of Chulu, Mbui Nzau hills, and Mt. Kilimanjaro
On the Nairobi to Mombasa SGR trip, you can watch multiple hills from a distance on your right-hand side. You will start seeing the hills from Emali to Mtito Andei, a stretch of 109 Kilometers.
At around 500 meters from the Emali SGR station, you can spot Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, 5895 meters high.
At around 10 kilometers before the Kibwezi station, you will see beautiful Mbui Nzau hills on your left-hand side. The hills have enormous stones which are beautiful to view.
3. Tsavo East National Park
Still on the Nairobi to Mombasa train adventure, you will pass through the Tsavo National Park. After the Mtito Andei SGR station, you will enter this park, where you will see many types of wildlife, including elephants, Rhinos, Lions, Girrafes, etc.
As much as it can be hard to see lions and leopards on the way, chances are you will see them at some point. For example, out of my 10 trips to Mombasa on the train, I have seen lions 6 times.
4. Famous Yatta Plateau
Just after you leave Kibwezi terminus, you can start sporting the Yatta Plateau on your left-hand side. This plateau is the world’s largest trail of lava flow, 290 Kilometers long. The lava was from the Ol Donyo Sabuk Mountain.
What Next?
It’s really a nice experience to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa via train. Moreover, you will pass through the woods and experience a connection with nature.
SGR trains are excellent and convenient ways to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa. The good thing is you will not experience high traffic or bad weather along the way. You don’t have to spend more than 8 hours on a bus.
If you are going to other parts of the Kenyan coast like Kilifi, don’t mind exploring the Distant Relatives Ecolodge, where you can meet with other travelers on a low budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between the intercounty and Express SGR train?
The intercounty SGR train stops at each sub-station from Nairobi to Mombasa. On the other hand, the Express SGR train doesn’t stop anywhere along the way. If you are going from Nairobi to Mombasa, using the Express train rather than the inter-county SGR train would be wise.
2. Can I carry snacks on SGR?
Carrying snacks or packed food on the SGR train is not allowed. However, you can get snacks from the train staff if you need something.
3. How many trips do SGR trains make in a day?
Three trains depart from Nairobi and Mombasa simultaneously throughout the day. The first batch leaves at 8:00 AM, the second leaves at 3:00 PM, and the third batch leaves at 10:00 PM.
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