Before you land

The practical stuff, all in one place

What we would tell a friend visiting for the first time. Check official sources for visas and regulations.

Getting in

From the airport: Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) is about 18 km from the centre: 30 minutes at quiet hours, well over an hour in rush hour. Book Uber, Bolt or Little Cab in the app, or use a registered airport taxi. The Nairobi Expressway and the SGR Madaraka Express train to Mombasa both start nearby.
Entry permission: Kenya replaced visas with a free Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Apply online at least 3 days before you fly, and carry a printout or screenshot of the approval. Citizens of East African Community states do not need one.

Currency: The Kenyan shilling (KES). Cards work in malls, hotels and most restaurants; M-Pesa mobile money runs everyday life, from matatu fares to market stalls. Carry small notes for markets and tips.
Exchange: Use a licensed forex bureau in town or in a mall such as The Hub or Yaya Centre rather than the airport. Rates are posted on the wall and you will need your passport.
Tipping: Check whether a 10% service charge is already on the bill. If not, leave around 10% in restaurants. Round up for drivers and tip guides at the end of the day.

Public transport: Matatus (colourful minibuses) and buses cover the whole city but are crowded and hard to read for a newcomer. The commuter rail links the CBD with suburbs such as Syokimau and Embakasi. Ask your hotel which stage you need.
Taxis: Uber, Bolt and Little Cab are the easiest and safest option, and you can pay by card or M-Pesa. Avoid unmarked cars outside clubs and bus stations.
Walking: The CBD is compact and fine on foot in daylight: Uhuru Park, KICC, the City Market and the National Museum are all within a short walk. Elsewhere, take a ride. Traffic is heavy at 7-9 am and 4-8 pm.

SIM cards: Buy a prepaid SIM from Safaricom, Airtel or Telkom at the airport or any shop in town. Bring your passport; registration is required. Safaricom has the best coverage and also gives you M-Pesa.
Plugs: Type G (three square pins), 240V, as in the UK. Bring an adapter.

Safety: Use common sense: take a ride after dark, keep your phone out of sight on the street and in matatus, and do not walk quietly through the CBD at night. Malls, hotels and the suburbs listed in this guide are routinely used by visitors.
Altitude and weather: Nairobi sits at about 1,795 m, so evenings are cool all year and the sun is strong by day. Bring a light jacket and sunscreen. Long rains run March to May, short rains October to December.
Languages: English and Kiswahili are both official. Everyone in tourism speaks English; a few words of Swahili (jambo, asante, pole pole) always get a smile. Street signs are in English.
Emergency: Dial 999 or 112 for police, ambulance and fire. For tourist police and park emergencies, ask your hotel or lodge to call for you.

Missing something? Ask a local