Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) Guide 2026
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA: NBO, ICAO: HKJK) is East Africa's largest and busiest airport, located 15 km southeast of Nairobi city centre. Handling over 8 million passengers annually, JKIA is the main hub for Kenya Airways and a key transit point for travel across East and Central Africa. Named after Kenya's founding president, the airport is also the primary gateway for the millions of tourists who visit Kenya's world-famous wildlife reserves each year.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | NBO |
| Location | Embakasi, Nairobi |
| Distance to City Centre | 15 km to Nairobi CBD |
| Terminals | Terminal 1 (1A, 1C, 1E) and Terminal 2 |
| Annual Passengers | ~8.2 million |
| Runways | 2 (4,117m and 4,117m) |
| Operator | Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) |
| Elevation | 1,624 metres (5,327 ft) |
Getting There & Away
| Transport | Destination | Cost (KES) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Taxi | Nairobi CBD | KES 2,500-4,000 | 30-60 min | Book at taxi desk; agree fare first |
| Uber/Bolt | Nairobi CBD | KES 1,000-2,500 | 30-60 min | Pick-up at designated area |
| Airport Taxi | Westlands / Gigiri | KES 3,000-5,000 | 40-70 min | UN/embassy district |
| Uber/Bolt | Karen / Langata | KES 1,500-3,000 | 30-50 min | Near safari attractions |
| Hotel Shuttle | Various | Free-KES 3,000 | Varies | Most hotels offer transfers |
| Car Hire | Self-drive | KES 5,000-15,000/day | N/A | Avis, Budget, Europcar at arrivals |
Nairobi Traffic: Traffic congestion is severe, especially on Mombasa Road (the main airport route) during rush hours (7-9:30am and 5-8pm). The Nairobi Expressway (toll road) significantly reduces journey time from the airport to Westlands — worth the KES 300-500 toll.
Terminal Facilities
Terminal 1A (Main International)
- Lounges: Kenya Airways Pride Lounge, Simba Lounge, Emirates Lounge, Priority Pass lounges
- Food & Drink: Java House, Artcaffe, Big Square, Dormans Coffee, various restaurants
- Shopping: Duty-free shops, Maasai crafts, Kenyan coffee and tea, books
- WiFi: Free WiFi throughout (reasonable speed)
- Charging Points: Available at gates and in lounges
- ATMs: KCB, Equity Bank, Standard Chartered, Co-operative Bank
- M-Pesa: Safaricom M-Pesa registration available at kiosks
Terminal 1C/1E
- Handles overflow international and regional flights
- Basic food and retail options
- Connected to 1A via indoor walkway
Immigration & eTA
Kenya replaced its eVisa system with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in 2024:
- Apply online at etakenya.go.ke at least 72 hours before travel
- Complete the application form with travel details
- Pay the fee online ($30 for most nationalities)
- Receive eTA approval by email
- Present eTA, passport, return ticket at immigration
Visa-exempt nationalities include citizens of many African countries (EAC, COMESA members) who can enter without an eTA.
Required documents on arrival:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Approved eTA (printed or digital)
- Return or onward ticket
- Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from endemic areas)
Queue Times: Immigration can take 30-60 minutes during peak hours (morning long-haul arrivals). E-gates are available for Kenyan passport holders.
Customs & Declaration
- Currency: Up to $10,000 (or equivalent) without declaration
- Alcohol: 1 litre spirits, 2 litres wine
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco
- Perfume: 500ml
- Gifts: Items up to $500 in value
- Prohibited: Narcotics, firearms, ivory, wildlife products, counterfeit goods
- Restricted: Plastic bags are banned in Kenya — do not bring single-use plastic bags
Plastic Bag Ban: Kenya strictly enforces a ban on single-use plastic bags. Do not pack them in your luggage — they will be confiscated at customs. Use zip-lock bags for toiletries.
Currency Exchange & SIM Cards
Currency Exchange
- Forex Bureaux: Multiple in arrivals hall with competitive rates
- ATMs: KCB, Equity, Standard Chartered, Co-operative Bank
- M-Pesa: Kenya's mobile money system is ubiquitous — register at the airport for cashless payments everywhere
- Tip: M-Pesa is used for everything in Kenya from taxis to restaurants; getting set up is highly recommended
SIM Cards & Data
| Operator | SIM Cost | 1GB Data | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | KES 100 | KES 99 | Best coverage, includes M-Pesa |
| Airtel Kenya | KES 50 | KES 99 | Good urban coverage |
| Telkom Kenya | KES 50 | KES 99 | Affordable data bundles |
Recommendation: Get a Safaricom SIM — it includes M-Pesa (mobile money) which is essential for daily life in Kenya. Registration at the airport kiosk takes 10-15 minutes with your passport.
Airlines Operating at JKIA
| Airline | Destinations | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya Airways | London, Amsterdam, Paris, Mumbai, Bangkok, 40+ African cities | 1A |
| British Airways | London Heathrow | 1A |
| Emirates | Dubai | 1A |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | 1A |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | 1A |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | 1A |
| KLM | Amsterdam | 1A |
| Air France | Paris CDG | 1A |
| Swiss | Zurich | 1A |
| RwandAir | Kigali | 1A |
| South African Airways | Johannesburg | 1A |
| Jambojet | Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret | 1E |
Safari Connections from JKIA
To connect to a safari from JKIA, you will need to transfer to Wilson Airport (15 km, 30-60 min by taxi/Uber):
| Safari Destination | Airline | Flight Time | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masai Mara | Safarilink, AirKenya | 45 min | Jul-Oct (Great Migration) |
| Amboseli | Safarilink, AirKenya | 30 min | Jun-Oct (clear Kilimanjaro views) |
| Samburu | Safarilink | 1 hour | Jun-Oct (dry season) |
| Lamu | Safarilink, Fly540 | 1h 30min | Year-round |
| Diani Beach | Safarilink | 1 hour | Year-round |
Book safari flights in advance, especially during peak season (July-October). Safari lodges typically arrange airstrip transfers.
Accommodation Near the Airport
Near Airport
- Ole Sereni Hotel — 5 km, overlooking Nairobi National Park ($120-200/night)
- Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport — Adjacent to JKIA ($100-160/night)
- Hotel Margarida — 3 km, good transit option ($40-70/night)
City Centre / Westlands
- Sarova Stanley — CBD, historic 5-star hotel ($150-280/night)
- Radisson Blu Nairobi — Upper Hill, modern business hotel ($130-220/night)
- Wildebeest Eco Camp — Langata, popular backpackers near Giraffe Centre ($20-50/night)
Tips for Travellers
Arrival Tips
- Have your eTA approval ready (printed or on phone) before joining the immigration queue
- Get a Safaricom SIM with M-Pesa — it is essential for cashless Kenya
- Use the Nairobi Expressway (toll road) to avoid Mombasa Road traffic
- Download Uber and Bolt before arrival — they are the safest transport options
- Do not bring single-use plastic bags — they are banned in Kenya
Departure Tips
- Arrive 3 hours before international flights
- Buy Kenyan coffee and tea at duty-free — excellent quality and value
- Allow extra time if departing during rush hours (Mombasa Road traffic)
Transit Tips
- JKIA is a major East African transit hub with good regional connections
- If connecting to Wilson Airport for safari flights, allow 3+ hours minimum
- The Pride Lounge is excellent for Kenya Airways connections