Search Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Airport Flight Tickets

About Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Airport

Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Airport is located in Nairobi Province, within the Nairobi/Embakasi district area, about 15 kilometers southeast of Nairobi city center. Opened to civil air traffic in 1958, the airport is operated by the Kenya Airports Authority and serves as Kenya's main aviation gateway, supporting business travel, tourism, cargo movement and regional connectivity across East Africa.

The airport has dedicated areas for domestic flights and international flights, with Terminal 1 handling most scheduled international services and domestic operations, while Terminal 2 supports additional regional and low-cost traffic. With capacity for roughly 7 to 8 million passengers per year, Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Airport offers lounges, retail, dining, banking, car rental, cargo facilities and modern passenger-processing infrastructure. Traffic is typically stronger during holiday periods, safari seasons and major business travel months.

Kenya Airways, Jambojet and several African, Middle Eastern and European carriers operate from the airport, making it an important hub for flight tickets to Nairobi and onward travel. Key domestic destinations include Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Malindi, while direct international routes commonly connect Nairobi with Addis Ababa, Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, London, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, Kigali and Dar es Salaam. Demand is broad and steady, driven by corporate travel, tourism, regional connections and visiting friends and relatives.

Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Airport to Nairobi City Center Transport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport offers several ways to reach Nairobi city center, including public buses, hotel or airport shuttles, taxis, car rental, and pre-booked private transfers. Travel time depends heavily on traffic, especially on Mombasa Road and the Nairobi Expressway.

Bus

Public buses and matatus are the cheapest transport option from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi city center. Buses usually depart from the airport bus area between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and connect with the Central Business District. The average journey time is about 60 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Citi Hoppa bus line 34 to Nairobi CBD
• Buses or matatus heading toward Kencom or Ambassador in the city center
• Public transport via Mombasa Road toward central Nairobi

Airport Shuttle

JKIA does not have a Havas or Havabus service like some other international airports, but some hotels and private operators run airport shuttle services to Nairobi hotels and business districts. Shuttles should usually be arranged in advance, and the average journey time to the city center is about 30 to 60 minutes.

• Hotel shuttle to Nairobi CBD hotels
• Airport hotel shuttle services near JKIA
• Shared or private shuttle stops in areas such as CBD, Upper Hill, and Westlands

Taxi

Taxis are available 24/7 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and are one of the most convenient ways to travel directly to Nairobi city center. Use the official taxi rank, a verified airport taxi desk, or a ride-hailing app, and confirm the fare or app price before departure. The average journey time is about 25 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Official airport taxis outside arrivals
• Ride-hailing services such as Uber or Bolt
• Direct taxi service to Nairobi CBD, hotels, and business districts

Car Rental

Car rental is available at or near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for travelers who want to drive themselves around Nairobi or continue to other destinations in Kenya. Rental companies typically have airport offices or meet-and-greet service, with vehicle pickup arranged near the terminal exit or designated parking areas.

• Airport car rental desks and partner offices
• Terminal-exit pickup by arrangement
• Self-drive cars, SUVs, and 4x4 vehicles for longer trips

Transfer

A private airport transfer is the easiest option for first-time visitors, late-night arrivals, families, groups, or travelers with heavy luggage. Booking in advance is recommended so the driver can meet you at arrivals, monitor your flight, and provide a fixed-price door-to-door trip to Nairobi city center. The average journey time is about 25 to 60 minutes.

• Pre-booked private transfer to Nairobi CBD
• Meet-and-greet service inside the arrivals hall
• Door-to-door transfer to hotels, offices, or apartments