Arriving in Kenya (JKIA)

Last verified: 15 September 2026 · 🟡 volatility (procedures & facilities change; step-by-step logic is stable).

Kenya's main international gateways:

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA/NBO), Nairobi — the primary hub (most detail below).
Moi International Airport (MBA), Mombasa — coast gateway.
Kisumu International Airport (KIS) and Eldoret International Airport (EDL) — limited international service.
Land borders (e.g. Namanga & Isebania with Tanzania; Busia & Malaba with Uganda) and the port of Mombasa (incl. some cruise arrivals).

JKIA (Nairobi) — step-by-step arrival

Disembark & follow "Arrivals". Have ready: passport, eTA approval (printed or on phone), return/onward ticket, accommodation details. Yellow fever certificate if required for your route.
Health check (if any outbreak measures are active — variable).
Immigration. Queues can be long at peak. The officer scans your passport/eTA, may ask your purpose and length of stay, takes biometrics (fingerprints/photo), and stamps your length of stay (commonly up to 90 days). Keep accommodation and onward-ticket info handy.
Baggage claim. Note your terminal — JKIA has multiple terminals (1A for many international carriers; others for regional/domestic).
Customs. Green channel (nothing to declare) / red channel (goods to declare). Single-use plastic bags are banned — don't bring them. (See departure/customs file for allowances.)
Arrivals hall — SIM cards, ATMs, forex, transport.

SIM cards: Safaricom and Airtel have outlets; bring your passport (SIM registration is mandatory). See the connectivity file for prices. You can set up M-Pesa once you have a Safaricom line.
ATMs & forex: multiple bank ATMs and forex bureaus in arrivals — but airport forex rates are usually worse than in-town bureaus; change a small amount here, more later.
Wi-Fi: airport Wi-Fi is available (reliability varies).
Food, toilets, lounges: available; several lounges (some via card/lounge programs).
Left luggage / lost luggage: left-luggage service exists; for lost/delayed bags file a report at your airline's baggage desk before leaving.
Information desks, airport police, medical help: present in the terminal.

Distance: roughly 15–20 km to the city center; allow 45 min to 2 hours depending on notorious Nairobi traffic.
Ride-hailing (recommended for value/transparency): Uber, Bolt, and Little operate. Order from the designated ride-hailing pickup area; fares are app-set (no haggling). Confirm the driver's name/plate.
Official airport taxis: available at a marked rank — agree the fare before departing (metered taxis are uncommon).
Pre-booked hotel transfer: simplest for first-timers; driver meets you with a name board.
Public transport: cheaper but not ideal with luggage/first arrival; ride-hailing is the sensible default.

"Helpers" who grab your bags or steer you to a taxi expecting a tip — politely decline; use the official rank or your app.
Unofficial taxi drivers quoting inflated fixed prices — prefer ride-hailing apps.
Currency/change tricks at informal exchange — use bank ATMs or licensed forex bureaus.
Overnight arrivals: JKIA runs 24/7 and ride-hailing is available late, but arrange your ride/transfer in advance and have your accommodation expecting you.

Moi Intl (Mombasa): similar arrival flow; smaller. SIM, ATMs, taxis/ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt operate in Mombasa). [Detail to be expanded]
Land borders: eTA/exemption rules still apply; carry documents. Expect manual immigration and touts near crossings — stay with official channels. [Per-border detail: NEEDS RESEARCH]
Cruise/port arrivals (Mombasa): immigration handled at the port. [NEEDS RESEARCH]

JKIA provides wheelchair assistance — request it via your airline in advance. Step-free routing exists in main areas.
Detailed, verified accessibility mapping of each terminal/border: ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION NOT FOUND — NEEDS ON-SITE VERIFICATION.

Sources: JKI Airport info (jkiairport.com) for SIM/facilities; general procedure corroborated across operator guides. Verified 15 Sep 2026.

High-stakes details change, confirm against the official source before you rely on them. Want a costed plan? Plan a trip →