Travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa has become much easier and quicker in the past few months, ever since the opening of the smart and stylish Madaraka Express.
The 275 mile (440 kilometre) journey between Kenya’s port city and the nation’s capital has been cut by half, so the trip which previously took approximately ten hours by passenger train service, bus or car, now takes five.
The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, which has been up and running since May 2017, was built with help of loans from the Chinese government and Chinese companies, who also built the line and supplied locomotives.
So when Grandma and Grandad came to visit us in Kenya from England, what better way to travel from Nairobi to our holiday destination in Mombasa than the new train.
Admittedly you have to get through the Nairobi or Mombasa traffic jams, which will add at least a hour to your journey times, as both stations are on the outskirts of the cities.
But from the moment you step off the chaotic streets of either city, you enter an oasis of calm. The terminals are similar to airports in both appearance and ambience, and you even have to go through rigorous security checks.
If you’re interested in ways to fund or to bring some money on your trip, then perhaps it is possible to elect for financing. One option would be to apply for an installment loan from direct lenders. It’s usually not too difficult, and you’ll be able to get your money fast and in plenty of time for you to make your journey. Do not fret if you’ve got a poor credit history – bad credit does not mean that you cannot enjoy your trip!
- The Mombasa SGR Terminal
Once aboard the train is clean and the seats are roomy. We were in first class, so admittedly had a little more space and luxury. The buffet car was well stocked with sandwiches, samosas, mandazis and a good selection of drinks; a trolley passed through the train too. Conductors, dressed similar to air-hostesses, also passed through the carriages, with one being assigned to each coach. They also swept the aisles trains while we were travelling and regularly collected.
- Frida admiring the view on the Madaraka Express Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
- Inside the Madaraka Express Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
- Frida, Leon and Lottie travelling on the Madaraka Express Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
- Leon and Lottie travelling on the Madaraka Express Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
The panoramic view of Kenya’s famous landscape and wildlife is simply beautiful, as the train snakes its way through the rocky hills of Machakos county, and then into the reddish landscape of Tsavo, punctuated by the huge baobab trees. And if you’re lucky you may even see elephants, giraffes and zebras.
- The view at dusk from the window of the Madaraka Express Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
- Beautiful landscape at dusk from the window of the Madaraka Express Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
- The view at dusk from the window of the Madaraka Express Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
Practicalities of the Madaraka Express
There are two trains in both direction everyday, the Intercounty train (the stopper), and the Express train (the non-stopper).
Times
From Nairobi to Mombasa the Intercounty train leaves at 8am and arrives at 1.55pm and the Express train leaves at 2.30pm and arrives at 7.20pm.
From Mombasa to Nairobi the Intercounty train leaves at 7.15am and arrives at 1.05pm and the Express leaves at 3.15pm and arrives at 8.14pm.
Prices
First Class – Adults 3000Ksh, Children (between 3-11years) 1500Ksh, Children below 3 years are free.
Second Class – Adults 1000Ksh, Children (between aged between 3-11years) 500Ksh, Children below 3 years are free.
For more information and to book tickets online visit https://metickets.krc.co.ke/
pminns93 May 1, 2018
Defentenly thinking of taking the train the next time I visit Mombasa.
alidunnell May 1, 2018 — Post Author
It really is the best way to travel 🙂
thewonderer86 May 1, 2018
I would love to do this someday. Train journeys are the way to go!
alidunnell May 1, 2018 — Post Author
It was a great experience 🙂
glendabjack May 2, 2018
I would have loved to have done this when I visited Kenya last year.
alidunnell May 2, 2018 — Post Author
I think it is always good to have something to come back to a country for 😉
glendabjack May 2, 2018
Yes indeed!
Rachel Heller May 13, 2018
That sounds a lot more pleasant than any of the other options! What is 2nd class like? I assume it doesn’t include food, but how is it in terms of comfort and crowding?
alidunnell May 14, 2018 — Post Author
The food is from a buffet car anyway, so you collect from there, or eat in that carriage. 2nd Class is still clean but the seats have a little less leg room. Also everyone must have a seat, so I am pretty sure it will not get overcrowded. It’s really more like a plane than a bus or normal train. Thanks for commenting 🙂
Richa May 15, 2018
Omg why didn’t I know about these trains before my Kenya trip! I thought flights were the only way to get to Mombasa from Nairobi. Thanks for sharing this post, would definitely consider taking the train next time we are there since we missed Mombasa on this trip 🙂
alidunnell May 15, 2018 — Post Author
Great – it was a wonderful experience 🙂