Madaraka Express (SGR) Fares & Timetable 2026
Fares and times verified September 2026
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.
Door-to-door cost, three ways
Budget
KES 1,700–2,100
per person, one way
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 6,300–7,900
per person, one way
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 18,000–21,500
per person, one way
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).
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.
More detail
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.
Nairobi–Mombasa train fares (adult, one way)
| Item | Price (KES) |
|---|---|
| Economy Class3+2 seating, snack trolley; children 3–11 half fare, under-3 free | KES 1,500 |
| First Class2+2 recliners, lounge, buffet car, charging | KES 4,500 |
| Premium ClassKES 12,000 one way or 20,000 return; 28-seat coach, meals, Wi-Fi, lounge, priority boarding | KES 12,000–20,000 |
Nairobi–Suswa leisure train (Fri–Sun)
| Item | Price (KES) |
|---|---|
| Nairobi Terminus – Rongai / NgongDep 08:50 | KES 130 |
| Nairobi Terminus – Mai Mahiu / SuswaArr Suswa 11:10, return 16:05 → 18:10 | KES 250 |
Getting to Nairobi Terminus (Syokimau)
| Item | Price (KES) |
|---|---|
| Link train from Nairobi Central (06:40 / 12:50 / 20:10)~30 min; fare 60 on KRC's 2021 table, widely quoted as 50 | KES 50–60 |
| Matatu / boda from Mombasa RoadRoutes 34/40 from old Railway Station | KES 50–150 |
| Uber/Bolt from CBD30–45 min; surge on Friday evenings | KES 600–1,500 |
| Uber/Bolt from JKIA (8 km)~20 min | KES 350–650 |
| Uber/Bolt from Westlands or Kilimani45–75 min in traffic; estimator-site figure, expect surge on Friday evenings. | KES 1,000–1,600 |
| Station parking per daySecure overnight parking confirmed by KRC; the KES 100/day figure is the last published tariff (2018). | KES 100 |
Getting from Mombasa Terminus (Miritini)
| Item | Price (KES) |
|---|---|
| Commuter link train to Mombasa CBD (04:10 / 07:20 / 14:25 / 18:25 / 21:00)~35 min | KES 50 |
| Tuk-tuk / boda to townNegotiate before you get in; ~15–20 min to the CBD. | KES 200–300 |
| Shared shuttle to Nyali / Bamburi / MtwapaFixed-fare shuttle, M-Pesa | KES 400–500 |
| Uber/Bolt to Mombasa CBD or Nyali20–30 min | KES 1,000–2,500 |
| Shared shuttle to Diani60–75 min via Dongo Kundu Bypass, no ferry | KES 700–900 |
| Private car to DianiSedan 4,500–7,000; minivan ~9,000; $70 quotes common | KES 4,500–9,000 |
| Shared shuttle to Kilifi / Watamu / Malindi1h20–2h30 | KES 1,000–1,200 |
Fees and extras
| Item | Price (KES) |
|---|---|
| Cancellation fee (≥48 h before)30% of fare (Economy 450, First 1,350, Premium 3,600); no refund inside 48 h | KES 450–3,600 |
| Reschedule fee (≥48 h, once only)10% of fare | KES 150–1,200 |
| Lost-ticket replacement30% of fare | KES 450–3,600 |
| Onboard snacks and drinks (Economy/First)Trolley/buffet car; bring your own snacks and soft drinks (no alcohol) | KES 100–300 |
Alternatives (one way)
| Item | Price (KES) |
|---|---|
| Night bus (Mash, Modern Coast, Tahmeed, Coast Bus)8–10 h | KES 1,200–2,500 |
| Flight (Jambojet, KQ, Skyward, Freedom)~1 h; Jambojet from 8,300; metasearch lows ~$56–66 | KES 7,000–15,000 |
| Self-drive fuel (480 km)Petrol ~KES 214/L; add expressway toll 350–1,800; 7–8 h driving | KES 8,200–10,000 |
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.