This article brings you the Nairobi to Mombasa Train Timings, fares, and any other information you may be seeking.
Today, the train serve between Nairobi and Mombasa is very popular for some reasons. One of them being that the new SGR trains are not only fast but also comfortable. Second, they are safer. Kenyan roads are notoriously dangerous and the Nairobi to Mombasa road is not an exception.
So, instead of booking Mash Poa bus or any other bus on the route, you may want to consider booking the SGR train line a boss.
Nairobi to Mombasa Train Timings and Fees
The Kenya Railways operates two kinds of trains on the Nairobi to Mombasa Route. We have the inter-county train and the express train.
The Inter-County Train
We have an inter-country train that makes stops at all the stations along the way. For example with this train, you can book a ticket to any of the stations along the line such as;
- Athi River
- Mtoto Andei
- Kibwezi
- Emali
- Voi
- Miasenyi
- Mariakani
This train will leave Nairobi at 8.15 am towards Mombasa. If it leaves on time, then you can expect to be at the following stations at the following times.
| Station | Time |
| Athi River | 8.40am |
| Emali | 9.47am |
| Kibwezi | 10.32am |
| Mtito Andei | 11.20am |
| Voi | 12.29am |
| Miasenyi | 1.04pm |
| Mariakani | 2.48pm |
The train then arrives in Mombasa at 4.48 pm. The journey takes only 6 hours and 33 minutes, you, therefore, arrive in Mombasa on time.
If you are coming from the other end, the train leaves Mombasa at 8.15am. Here are the timing at the various stations along the way;
| Station | Time |
| Mariakani | 8.24am |
| Maisenyi | 9.09am |
| Voi | 9.43am |
| Mtito Andei | 10.52am |
| Kibwezi | 11.25am |
| Emali | 12.09pm |
| Athi River | 1.42pm |
Again, here the inter-country train takes only 5 hours 42 minutes arriving in Nairobi at 1.42pm.
As for the fees, these depends on the class you want to travel with. We have the first class and the second class. This table below could be of much help on the Nairobi to Mombasa train.
The Express Train
The express train should be the one you should be considering between Nairobi and Mombasa if you do not need any stops. This train does not stop anywhere on the route and takes slightly over hours between the two cities.
However, the timings are such that the trains leave in the afternoon. If you destination is Mombasa from Nairobi, then the train leaves its Syokimau Station at 2.35 pm and arrives in Mombasa at 7.18pm
The train leaving Mombasa does so at 3.35 pm and arrives in Nairobi at 8.14 pm.
Nairobi to Mombasa Train Fares.
I wrote earlier about the fares that you are expected to pay and what else you need to know about booking and other questions you may be having.
You can take a few minutes and read this article here to help you out. However, this table should give you the information you are will need to know about train fees.
Express Train Fees
| Class | Adults | Children (3-11Years) | Children( Below 3 Years) |
| First Class | 3000 | 3000 | Free |
| Second Class | 1000 | 1000 | Free |
Inter-County train fees
| Nairobi To | Class | Adults | Children (3-11Years) | Children( Below 3 Years) |
| Athi River | First | 120 | 60 | Free |
| Second | 60 | 30 | Free | |
| Mtito Andei | First | 1490 | 750 | Free |
| Second | 490 | 250 | Free | |
| Voi | First | 2130 | 1070 | Free |
| Second | 700 | 350 | Free | |
| Emali | First | 790 | 400 | Free |
| Second | 260 | 130 | Free | |
| Kibwezi | First | 1210 | 610 | Free |
| Second | 400 | 200 | Free | |
| Miaseny | First | 2450 | 1230 | Free |
| Second | 900 | 450 | Free | |
| Mariakani | First | 2870 | 1440 | Free |
| Second | 940 | 470 | Free | |
| Mombasa | First | 3000 | 1500 | Free |
| Second | 1000 | 500 | Free |
Conclusion
The Nairobi to Mombasa train service famously known as the Madaraka express, has moved millions of people between the two cities since its inception.
If you have not used the train, then you are missing out something. It is one of the most satisfying ways to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa.
Booking your train ticket is easy and you can do it in the comfort of your home and have a trip of your lifetime.
If you have travelled with the Madaraka express, what is your experience? We would be glad to hear your story and share it with the world.
Update
After month of gathering dust at various garages due to COVID-19 lockdown, The Madaraka express is expected to resume services on Monday 13 July 2020.
Speaking to the media after the movement out and in of three counties of Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera were lifted, the transport CS said that the train will make a round trip between the two cities.
The train will leave Nairobi at 8.00 am and arrive in Mombasa at 12.45 pm. The same train will then leave Mombasa at 1.25 pm and arrive in Nairobi at 6.40 pm. This will allow travelers to get to their destination before the daily night lockdown that begins at 9.00 pm commences.
To maintain social distance, the coaches will carry half its capacity with Kenya Railways saying that they are working on modalities of achieving this. Kenya railways will be also set apart a coach for any passengers that show COVID-19 symptoms along the way.
The CS said, ‘The extra coach will leave empty and we hope it will arrive in Mombasa empty because it will be used for only one purpose; to carry any suspected case of COVID-19 detected during the journey between Nairobi and Mombasa and vice versa.”
Already, Kenya Railways is making necessary preparations before the Nairobi to Mombasa train service resumes. This includes fumigating coaches, waiting bays, and making the seats the passengers are to take.
From the timings, the trains that will operate from Monday 13th July 2020, will be the express train.
