Nairobi: Getting there & around

Unless you're coming overland from Southern Africa, flying is the most convenient way to get to Nairobi. Nairobi is a major African hub, so flights between it and the rest of the contentint, plus many other destinations in Europe are frequent and relatively cheap. Coming overland, Nairobi is easily reached by bus and minibus from various destinations in Tanzania and Kampala in Uganda. To arrive from Ethiopia, you will have to get on a truck (which will be part of an escorted convoy) from the border at Moyale and swap to a bus at Isiolo.

Within Kenya, Nairobi can be reached from Mombasa by either train or bus, while long-distance buses and minibuses run to many destinations including Isiolo (via Nanyuki), Eldoret (via Nakuru) and Kisumu (also via Nakuru).

The Metro Shuttle airport bus runs every half hour between the international airport and city centre hotels. Better - and reasonably-priced if you're good at bargaining - is a taxi. Once in the city, buses are a cheap way of getting around, but they can be very crowded during peak hour and are a pickpocket's paradise. Matatus (minibuses) are much the same, although they tend to be more frequent and their drivers often crazier. Taxis are unmetered and expensive, but vital for night travel for safety reasons and often well worth the extra money during the daytime as well. The main part of town is easily traversed on foot.