What are the Madaraka Express fares in 2026?

Nairobi–Mombasa one way: Economy KES 1,500, First Class KES 4,500, Premium KES 12,000 (or KES 20,000 return). The fares have been unchanged since 1 January 2024 and Kenya Railways restated them in April and August 2026. Intermediate stations are cheaper: Nairobi–Voi is KES 1,050 Economy and 3,200 First; Nairobi–Emali KES 390 and 1,190.

What is the SGR timetable?

From both Nairobi and Mombasa: 08:00 Inter-County stopping at every station, arriving about 14:00; 15:00 Afternoon Express stopping only at Voi, arriving 20:30 southbound and 20:18 northbound; 22:00 Night Train via Voi, arriving 03:55. The Nairobi–Suswa leisure train runs Friday to Sunday, out at 08:50 and back at 16:05. Kenya Railways' older web pages still show 2023 times, so trust the January 2026 schedule.

How do I book, and can foreigners book online?

Tickets open 60 days ahead. Online (metickets.krc.co.ke) and USSD *639# accept M-Pesa only. Station counters (07:00–16:00) take cash and card and accept passports as ID, and they are the only place to choose your seat in Economy or First; online bookings are assigned from the back of the train. Tickets are non-transferable and checked against ID at the gate.

Under-3s travel free on a lap, one per adult. Ages 3–11 pay half fare with a birth certificate as ID, and Kenya Railways' August 2026 notice limits the half fare to one child per booking. From 12 the full fare applies.

Can I cancel or change a ticket?

Only at a station, at least 48 hours before departure. Cancelling costs 30 percent of the fare and the refund takes up to 14 working days; rescheduling costs 10 percent, is allowed once, and a rescheduled ticket can never be refunded. Inside 48 hours you lose the whole fare.

What is the luggage allowance?

30 kg per passenger with no single item longer than 1.6 m, arrive 60 minutes before departure for security screening. Snacks and soft drinks are allowed; alcohol is banned on board along with the usual prohibited items. Economy and First have a trolley and buffet car; Premium includes meals and Wi-Fi.

How do I get to Nairobi Terminus and from Mombasa Terminus?

Nairobi Terminus is at Syokimau, 8 km from JKIA. Link trains leave Nairobi Central at 06:40, 12:50 and 20:10 for KES 50–60; Uber or Bolt from the CBD is KES 600–1,500 and from Westlands or Kilimani about KES 1,000–1,600 in traffic. Mombasa Terminus is at Miritini: the commuter train to the CBD is KES 50 and timed to every arrival, shared shuttles run to Nyali and Bamburi from KES 400 and to Diani from KES 700 via the Dongo Kundu bypass with no ferry, and a private car to Diani costs KES 4,500–7,000.

Is the train better than flying or the bus?

Flights take about an hour and start around KES 7,000–8,300 with Jambojet, rising sharply at peak times. Night buses cost KES 1,200–2,500 and take 8–10 hours. Driving is 7–8 hours and roughly KES 8,200–10,000 in fuel plus tolls. The train wins on price and comfort for most travellers; fly if your time is worth more than the KES 3,000–6,000 difference.

Price Guide

SGR Madaraka Express Fares & Timetable 2026

Every fare by class and station, the three daily trains each way, booking rules, luggage limits and the cost of getting to and from both termini — from Kenya Railways' own 2026 documents.

Fares and times verified September 2026

The Madaraka Express is the cheapest comfortable way between Nairobi and Mombasa: KES 1,500 in Economy, KES 4,500 in First Class and KES 12,000 in Premium for the 480 km run, and the fares have not moved since January 2024. Three trains leave each terminus daily. The 08:00 Inter-County stops at every station and takes six hours; the 15:00 Afternoon Express and the 22:00 Night Train stop only at Voi and take about five and a half, arriving 20:30 and 03:55. From Nairobi Terminus at Syokimau the Inter-County calls at Athi River 08:19, Emali 09:27, Kibwezi 10:14, Mtito Andei 10:50, Voi 12:02, Miasenyi 12:41 and Mariakani 13:27 before Mombasa at 14:00; the Mombasa-bound Express passes Voi at 18:48, the Night Train at 02:05. Northbound the pattern mirrors: 08:00 Inter-County into Nairobi 14:10, 15:00 Express via Voi 16:38 into Nairobi 20:18, 22:00 Night Train via Voi 23:45. This guide lists every fare, the booking and refund rules, luggage limits, and what it costs to reach Syokimau and to get from Miritini to the beach.

All prices in KES (Kenyan Shillings). As of September 2026, 1 USD ≈ 129 KES. Kenya Railways prices every fare in KES; online payment is M-Pesa only.

Key Takeaway

Economy costs the same KES 1,500 on all three trains, so take the 15:00 or 22:00 Express and save 30–40 minutes for free. Premium only pays off as a KES 20,000 return. Book inside the 60-day window as soon as it opens for December, Easter and August, use the KES 50 link trains at both ends, and know that online booking is M-Pesa only: foreigners pay by card at a station counter instead.

Nairobi–Mombasa train fares (adult, one way)

Economy Class

KES 1,500

3+2 seating, snack trolley; children 3–11 half fare, under-3 free

First Class

KES 4,500

2+2 recliners, lounge, buffet car, charging

Premium Class

KES 12,000 – KES 20,000

KES 12,000 one way or 20,000 return; 28-seat coach, meals, Wi-Fi, lounge, priority boarding

Fares from Nairobi to intermediate stations (Economy → Premium)

Athi River

KES 90 – KES 480

First 180

Emali

KES 390 – KES 3,180

First 1,190

Kibwezi

KES 600 – KES 4,860

First 1,820

Mtito Andei (Tsavo)

KES 740 – KES 5,980

First 2,240

Voi (Tsavo East / Taita)

KES 1,050 – KES 8,540

First 3,200; only intermediate stop on Express and Night trains

Miasenyi

KES 1,350 – KES 9,820

First 3,680

Mariakani

KES 1,410 – KES 11,500

First 4,310

Nairobi–Suswa leisure train (Fri–Sun)

Nairobi Terminus – Rongai / Ngong

KES 130

Dep 08:50

Nairobi Terminus – Mai Mahiu / Suswa

KES 250

Arr Suswa 11:10, return 16:05 → 18:10

Getting to Nairobi Terminus (Syokimau)

Link train from Nairobi Central (06:40 / 12:50 / 20:10)

KES 50 – KES 60

~30 min; fare 60 on KRC's 2021 table, widely quoted as 50

Matatu / boda from Mombasa Road

KES 50 – KES 150

Routes 34/40 from old Railway Station

Uber/Bolt from CBD

KES 600 – KES 1,500

30–45 min; surge on Friday evenings

Uber/Bolt from JKIA (8 km)

KES 350 – KES 650

~20 min

Uber/Bolt from Westlands or Kilimani

KES 1,000 – KES 1,600

45–75 min in traffic; estimator-site figure, expect surge on Friday evenings.

Station parking per day

KES 100

Secure overnight parking confirmed by KRC; the KES 100/day figure is the last published tariff (2018).

Getting from Mombasa Terminus (Miritini)

Commuter link train to Mombasa CBD (04:10 / 07:20 / 14:25 / 18:25 / 21:00)

KES 50

~35 min

Tuk-tuk / boda to town

KES 200 – KES 300

Negotiate before you get in; ~15–20 min to the CBD.

Shared shuttle to Nyali / Bamburi / Mtwapa

KES 400 – KES 500

Fixed-fare shuttle, M-Pesa

Uber/Bolt to Mombasa CBD or Nyali

KES 1,000 – KES 2,500

20–30 min

Shared shuttle to Diani

KES 700 – KES 900

60–75 min via Dongo Kundu Bypass, no ferry

Private car to Diani

KES 4,500 – KES 9,000

Sedan 4,500–7,000; minivan ~9,000; $70 quotes common

Shared shuttle to Kilifi / Watamu / Malindi

KES 1,000 – KES 1,200

1h20–2h30

Fees and extras

Cancellation fee (≥48 h before)

KES 450 – KES 3,600

30% of fare (Economy 450, First 1,350, Premium 3,600); no refund inside 48 h

Reschedule fee (≥48 h, once only)

KES 150 – KES 1,200

10% of fare

Lost-ticket replacement

KES 450 – KES 3,600

30% of fare

Onboard snacks and drinks (Economy/First)

KES 100 – KES 300

Trolley/buffet car; bring your own snacks and soft drinks (no alcohol)

Alternatives (one way)

Night bus (Mash, Modern Coast, Tahmeed, Coast Bus)

KES 1,200 – KES 2,500

8–10 h

Flight (Jambojet, KQ, Skyward, Freedom)

KES 7,000 – KES 15,000

~1 h; Jambojet from 8,300; metasearch lows ~$56–66

Self-drive fuel (480 km)

KES 8,200 – KES 10,000

Petrol ~KES 214/L; add expressway toll 350–1,800; 7–8 h driving

Budget Tiers

Budget

KES 1,700–KES 2,100/day

Cheapest way to do the trip: Economy seat plus the two link trains and a matatu.

Sample day

06:40 link train Nairobi Central → Terminus (KES 50–60); 08:00 Inter-County Economy (1,500); arrive 14:00; 14:25 link train to Mombasa CBD (50); tuk-tuk to your guesthouse (200–300); snacks from home.

Mid-Range

KES 6,300–KES 7,900/day

Comfortable way: First Class with door-to-door rides and a shared coast shuttle.

Sample day

Uber from CBD or Kilimani to Syokimau (800–1,500); 15:00 Express First Class (4,500) with buffet-car lunch (300); arrive 20:30; pre-booked shared shuttle to Nyali/Bamburi (400–500) or Diani (700–900).

Luxury

KES 18,000–KES 21,500/day

Premium way: Premium Class lounge-to-lounge with a private transfer to the beach.

Sample day

Uber from Westlands (1,000–1,600); Premium lounge, priority boarding on the 08:00 or 15:00 train (12,000 one way; 20,000 if you book the return together); meals and Wi-Fi included; private sedan to Diani via Dongo Kundu (4,500–7,000).

Money Tips

Economy at KES 1,500 is the same price on all three trains; the 15:00 and 22:00 Express services are 30–40 min faster than the 08:00 Inter-County for no extra cost.
Premium only pays off as a bundled return (20,000 vs 24,000 for two one-ways). Book both legs together.
Children 3–11 pay half and under-3s ride free on a lap, but carry the birth certificate: it is the required ID for under-12s and is checked at the gate.
Book at the counter (07:00–16:00, cash or card) if you want to choose seats in Economy/First or sit in the new-seat coaches; online bookings are auto-assigned from the back of the train.
Foreign visitors: online payment is M-Pesa only. Either buy at a station by card, get a Safaricom SIM at JKIA, or pay an agent's fee.
Cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours out or you lose the whole fare; cancelling costs 30%, rescheduling 10%, and a rescheduled ticket can never be refunded.
Use the KES 50 link trains at both ends (Nairobi Central 06:40/12:50/20:10; Mombasa CBD 06:25/12:35/19:20) and save KES 1,000–2,500 per person versus taxis.
Heading to Diani? Skip the Likoni ferry: shared shuttles from Miritini use the Dongo Kundu Bypass (from KES 700–900, 60–75 min).
For December, Easter and August holidays, book the day the 60-day window opens; Premium sold out months ahead in late 2025 and KRC hit full capacity in August 2026.
Bring your own snacks and soft drinks (allowed); alcohol is banned and onboard food is pricey and limited in Economy.

Key Takeaway

Fares from Nairobi to intermediate stations (Economy → Premium)

Athi River

KES 90 – KES 480

First 180

Emali

KES 390 – KES 3,180

First 1,190

Kibwezi

KES 600 – KES 4,860

First 1,820

Mtito Andei (Tsavo)

KES 740 – KES 5,980

First 2,240

Voi (Tsavo East / Taita)

KES 1,050 – KES 8,540

First 3,200; only intermediate stop on Express and Night trains

Miasenyi

KES 1,350 – KES 9,820

First 3,680

Mariakani

KES 1,410 – KES 11,500

First 4,310

Getting to Nairobi Terminus (Syokimau)

Link train from Nairobi Central (06:40 / 12:50 / 20:10)

KES 50 – KES 60

~30 min; fare 60 on KRC's 2021 table, widely quoted as 50

Matatu / boda from Mombasa Road

KES 50 – KES 150

Routes 34/40 from old Railway Station

Uber/Bolt from CBD

KES 600 – KES 1,500

30–45 min; surge on Friday evenings

Uber/Bolt from JKIA (8 km)

KES 350 – KES 650

~20 min

Uber/Bolt from Westlands or Kilimani

KES 1,000 – KES 1,600

45–75 min in traffic; estimator-site figure, expect surge on Friday evenings.

Station parking per day

KES 100

Secure overnight parking confirmed by KRC; the KES 100/day figure is the last published tariff (2018).

Getting from Mombasa Terminus (Miritini)

Commuter link train to Mombasa CBD (04:10 / 07:20 / 14:25 / 18:25 / 21:00)

KES 50

~35 min

Tuk-tuk / boda to town

KES 200 – KES 300

Negotiate before you get in; ~15–20 min to the CBD.

Shared shuttle to Nyali / Bamburi / Mtwapa

KES 400 – KES 500

Fixed-fare shuttle, M-Pesa

Uber/Bolt to Mombasa CBD or Nyali

KES 1,000 – KES 2,500

20–30 min

Shared shuttle to Diani

KES 700 – KES 900

60–75 min via Dongo Kundu Bypass, no ferry

Private car to Diani

KES 4,500 – KES 9,000

Sedan 4,500–7,000; minivan ~9,000; $70 quotes common

Shared shuttle to Kilifi / Watamu / Malindi

KES 1,000 – KES 1,200

1h20–2h30

Fees and extras

Cancellation fee (≥48 h before)

KES 450 – KES 3,600

30% of fare (Economy 450, First 1,350, Premium 3,600); no refund inside 48 h

Reschedule fee (≥48 h, once only)

KES 150 – KES 1,200

10% of fare

Lost-ticket replacement

KES 450 – KES 3,600

30% of fare

Onboard snacks and drinks (Economy/First)

KES 100 – KES 300

Trolley/buffet car; bring your own snacks and soft drinks (no alcohol)

Alternatives (one way)

Night bus (Mash, Modern Coast, Tahmeed, Coast Bus)

KES 1,200 – KES 2,500

8–10 h

Flight (Jambojet, KQ, Skyward, Freedom)

KES 7,000 – KES 15,000

~1 h; Jambojet from 8,300; metasearch lows ~$56–66

Self-drive fuel (480 km)

KES 8,200 – KES 10,000

Petrol ~KES 214/L; add expressway toll 350–1,800; 7–8 h driving

Budget Tiers

Budget

KES 1,700–KES 2,100/day

Cheapest way to do the trip: Economy seat plus the two link trains and a matatu.

Sample day

Mid-Range

KES 6,300–KES 7,900/day

Comfortable way: First Class with door-to-door rides and a shared coast shuttle.

Sample day

Luxury

KES 18,000–KES 21,500/day

Premium way: Premium Class lounge-to-lounge with a private transfer to the beach.

Sample day

Money Tips

Economy at KES 1,500 is the same price on all three trains; the 15:00 and 22:00 Express services are 30–40 min faster than the 08:00 Inter-County for no extra cost.

Premium only pays off as a bundled return (20,000 vs 24,000 for two one-ways). Book both legs together.

Children 3–11 pay half and under-3s ride free on a lap, but carry the birth certificate: it is the required ID for under-12s and is checked at the gate.

Book at the counter (07:00–16:00, cash or card) if you want to choose seats in Economy/First or sit in the new-seat coaches; online bookings are auto-assigned from the back of the train.

Foreign visitors: online payment is M-Pesa only. Either buy at a station by card, get a Safaricom SIM at JKIA, or pay an agent's fee.

Cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours out or you lose the whole fare; cancelling costs 30%, rescheduling 10%, and a rescheduled ticket can never be refunded.

Use the KES 50 link trains at both ends (Nairobi Central 06:40/12:50/20:10; Mombasa CBD 06:25/12:35/19:20) and save KES 1,000–2,500 per person versus taxis.

Heading to Diani? Skip the Likoni ferry: shared shuttles from Miritini use the Dongo Kundu Bypass (from KES 700–900, 60–75 min).

For December, Easter and August holidays, book the day the 60-day window opens; Premium sold out months ahead in late 2025 and KRC hit full capacity in August 2026.

Bring your own snacks and soft drinks (allowed); alcohol is banned and onboard food is pricey and limited in Economy.