NBO — Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta) — Taxi Fare Guide
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA / NBO), use the official taxi rank just outside the Arrivals area of Terminal 1A, operated under the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). There is a taxi help desk with fixed rates, so confirm the price before you set off rather than relying on a meter. Official fares to the Nairobi CBD (city centre) are around KES 2,000–2,500 (about USD 15–20), and the 15-km trip takes 30–45 minutes, longer in Nairobi's heavy rush-hour traffic. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal offering unmetered rides.
Uber and Bolt are both authorized to operate at JKIA and are usually cheaper than the taxi rank, at roughly KES 1,200–1,500 (about USD 9–12) to the centre, with Bolt often slightly cheaper. However, they are not allowed to pick up at the arrivals doors: the designated ride-hailing pickup point is at Car Park 1, opposite Terminals 1E and 1A. Enter your destination in the app, walk to the marked pickup area, and message the driver if the meeting point is unclear.
For safety, always match the driver's name and licence plate to the app, keep your ride tracked, and avoid sharing a car with strangers who approach you. Fares rise with demand (surge pricing) during peak hours and late at night, and traffic can add 20–30 minutes, so allow extra time. Pre-booked private airport transfers and shuttle desks are also available inside the terminal, typically KES 2,000–3,000 for a private car.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| Nairobi CBD (city centre) — official taxi | KES 2,000–2,500 | 30–45 min |
| Nairobi CBD — Uber / Bolt | KES 1,200–1,500 | 30–45 min |
| Westlands | KES 1,800–2,500 | 40–60 min |
| Karen / Langata | KES 2,500–3,500 | 45–70 min |
Practical tips: Use the KAA official rank or a tracked Uber/Bolt, agree the fare in advance, carry small Kenyan shilling notes (many drivers also accept M-Pesa mobile money), and never accept a ride from someone who approaches you inside arrivals. Allow extra time for Nairobi's notorious traffic.
Other ways to the city
JKIA has no direct airport metro line into the city, but there are budget public and shuttle options.
- Bus / matatu: Route 34 (Kenya Bus Service / Citi Hoppa) connects JKIA with the Nairobi CBD from the bus station between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Fares are cheap, around KES 50–100, but buses are slow, crowded and not ideal with luggage; journey time 45–90 minutes in traffic.
- Shuttle desks: Shared shuttle desks inside the arrivals terminals (or pre-booked online) cost roughly KES 1,000–2,000 per person and drop you centrally or at your hotel.
- JKIA Express rail: A limited rail service runs from Embakasi Village station; you first take a shuttle bus from the terminals to the station, so it is not a seamless door-to-door option and schedules are limited.
- For most visitors with luggage, a tracked Uber/Bolt or the official taxi is safer and faster than the matatu.
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the official taxi rank at JKIA?
How much does a taxi from JKIA to Nairobi CBD cost?
Can I use Uber or Bolt at Nairobi Airport?
Is there a bus or train from JKIA to the city?
Traveling via another city?
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