Getting to Kenya
Getting To and Around Kenya - Information on Airports, Airlines, and Flights
Getting to Kenya by Air
Most of Kenya's visitors arrive in the country by air. 
In fact, there are several major airlines - including a Kenyan airline - that offer flights to Kenya from the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and many African countries.
You can find cheap flights to Kenya from 100s of travel sites at once.
International Airports in Kenya
There are two international airports in Kenya:
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi - It is the largest airport and the main arrival point for most visitors. A major gateway to Kenya, JKIA offers both domestic, African, regional and international connections. It is very easy to use and there are a lot of transportation options available to get from the airport into town.
- JKIA is 17 km (roughly 10 miles) from Nairobi's city center - a quick drive by hotel shuttle, car or taxi to your city destination. Banking services, automatic teller machines (ATMs) and 24hr foreign exchange (forex) bureaus are available at the terminal, should you require access to cash.
- The Mombasa International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa - It is Kenya's second largest international airport, mainly serving tourists and business people entering Kenya's coastal region.
Airlines that Fly To and From Kenya
Flights from the United States and North America: Kenya Airways, British Airways, KLM, Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways. Currently there are no direct flights from the United States to Kenya. Flights from the US to Kenya connect through London, Amsterdam, Zürich or Dubai depending on the airline. However, Delta Airlines is scheduled to start weekly flights between Atlanta and Nairobi, Kenya (via Dakar-Senegal), beginning late 2009.
Flights from Europe to Kenya: British Airways, Kenya Airways, Swiss Airlines, KLM, Emirates Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airways. Most of the flights from Europe to Kenya are direct and non-stop, arriving at either the Nairobi or Mombasa International Airport.
Flights from Asia, the Far East and Australia: Kenya Airways, Air India, Emirates Airlines, and Qatar Airways are popular airlines that fly to Kenya. Some of these airlines also offer direct flights from the Middle East to Kenya.
Flights to other African countries: Nairobi (JKIA) airport is a major African air hub regularly serving West, Central and Southern Africa destinations. Although there are other African airlines that serve Kenya, the national carrier - Kenya Airways - is the pride of Africa. You can book your flight from Kenya to other African countries online.
LIST OF MAJOR AIRLINES THAT FLY IN AND OUT OF JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND MOMBASA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN KENYA
Airfares, Booking and Tickets
There are a variety of travel and booking agents who will promise you the lowest airfares and best packages. However, in most cases, the lowest fare will depend on when, where and how you book your ticket. One option is to book directly with the airline companies. Selecting any of the above listed airline company links will take you to the website of that particular airline, where you will find all of the information you need about flying to Kenya and can even book your flight.
The latest trend in easily finding cheap deals on flights to Kenya is to research and book the flight online over the Internet. The greatest advantage of booking online is that you get many options (you can compare and choose from 100s of travel sites), all instantly with one click. Most of these sites will link you directly to the specific airline company, allowing you to book your flight right away using your debit or credit card. This saves you time and any extra fees you would incur if you booked through a travel agent.
No matter what method you use to book your ticket to Kenya, you will likely get the best deal if you book your ticket far in advance, preferably as early as four months before you plan to travel.
How Long Does it Take to Get to Kenya?
It depends on where you are coming from and when you booked your flight. Flights from the United States are generally overnight; dinner, bed and breakfast and you are in Kenya. There are also direct, non-stop flights from most parts of Europe to Kenya. To get an idea of how long it will take to get to Kenya, take a look at the list below. It shows flight times from some of the world's major cities to Kenya. Please note that the duration of the flight will depend on when you booked the flight and how many stops you make.
| London | 8 hr 30 min | Amsterdam | 8 hr 30 min |
| Hong Kong | 25 hr 45 min | Frankfurt | 10 hr 55 min |
| Bangkok | 9 hr 30 min | Paris | 11 hr 45 min |
| Kuala Lumpur | 17 hr 45 min | Zurich | 11 hr 25 min |
| Singapore | 16 hr 15 min | Athens | 15 hr 35 min |
| Perth | 18 hr 15 min | Sydney | 27 hr 50 min |
| Tel Aviv | 10 hr 00 min | Can Cun | 24 hr 10 min |
| Dubai | 05 hr 05 min | Rio De Janeiro | 42 hr 20 min |
| New York | 17 hr 05 min | Atlanta | 19 hr 00 min |
| Miami | 20 hr 30 min | Los Angeles | 23 hr 15 min |
| South Africa | 07 hr 40 min | Cairo | 06 hr 20 min |
Getting Around Kenya by Air
If you are a visitor, a local traveler or a Kenyan, you can find a flight and book local travel to and from these Kenyan destinations online:
Internal / Domestic Flights Within Kenya
Departing Nairobi |
Departing Mombasa |
| Nairobi - Mombasa | Mombasa - Nairobi |
| Nairobi - Kisumu | Mombasa - Maasai Mara |
| Nairobi - Lamu | Mombasa - Kisumu |
| Nairobi - Nanyuki | Diani - Nairobi |
| Nairobi - Malindi | Departing Malindi |
| Nairobi - Maasai Mara | Malindi - Lamu |
| Nairobi - Amboseli | Departing Kitale |
| Nairobi - Samburu | Kitale - Nairobi |
| Nairobi - Kitale | |
Departing Lamu |
Departing Kisumu |
| Lamu - Nairobi | Kisumu - Nairobi |
| Lamu - Nairobi | Kisumu - Mombasa |
Flight Schedules
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) operates Kenya's ten airports. Here you will find all the information you need with regard to the incoming and outgoing flight schedules of all of Kenya's major airports, links to cargo and immigration information, and comprehensive information about the airports themselves. Other domestic Kenyan airports served by the KAA include Eldoret, Wilson, Malindi, Kisumu, Wajir, Lokichoggio, Ukunda Airstrip and Manda Airstrip.
Ground Transfers from the Airport
There is plenty of transportation available 24 hours to take you to your preferred destination. Airport taxis, cabs, and vans are on standby and airport officials are available to make sure you get to your destination. Make sure you get an agreed upon fare and a receipt from the cab operator to close the deal. Also, watch out as there may be some unscrupulous cabbies and taxi drivers who may take advantage of you.
A better option is to make prior arrangements for your ground transportation or to have someone waiting for you at the airport to transport you to your destination.
Getting to Kenya by Land
If you live in the neighboring countries of Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia, all you have to do is cross the border. Border posts are open daily and immigration officials are present to process your entry paperwork.
Getting to Kenya by Sea
The Port of Mombasa is an international port of call, a favorite port for cruise liners and international ships on duty. If you arrive on a cruise or assignment, the immigration department at the port will be happy to process your entry documents to Kenya.
Do you need a visa to enter Kenya? Find out.
Your options for getting around Kenya including car hire, taxis, matatus and other forms of transportation.
Find the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to book your flight to book your flight to Kenya from the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia and other destinations.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) - based along the Mombasa coastline, KPA Mombasa is the second largest port of call, following Durban. It provides sea cargo connectivity to over 80 ports and serves 17 shipping lines. This port also serves the hinterland markets of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Northern Tanzania, Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.
Where to Stay: Book Hotels and Accommodation in Kenya online
Find travel books about Kenya, including books by Kenyan authors and more.
Book your domestic flight within Kenya or find regional flights from Kenya to other African destinations.
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