Nairobi’s traffic is the thing everyone talks about, and with reason. Rush hour runs from about 6:30 to 9:30 in the morning and 4:30 to 8 in the evening, and rain makes everything slower. Plan around it.

Matatus

Matatus are privately run minibuses and buses on fixed routes, and they carry most of the city. Routes are numbered, and the destination is painted on or shown in the windscreen.

  • Where to board: at a stage. The big terminals are in the CBD, around Tom Mboya Street, Ronald Ngala Street and the railway station, with stages along every main road.
  • Paying: cash or M-Pesa to the conductor. Many matatus now take M-Pesa only. Fares depend on distance, time of day and weather; within the city they are usually under KES 100.
  • Finding the route: ask the conductor, or someone at the stage. Apps and Google Maps cover the main routes, but asking is faster.
  • Safety: matatus are fast and crowded. Keep your phone out of sight near the window. Some saccos run calmer, newer buses on the same routes.

Ride-hailing

Uber, Bolt and the Kenyan app Little all operate across Nairobi, with prices shown before you book. They are the easiest option for newcomers and at night. Share your trip with a friend, check the plate before getting in, and sit in the back.

Boda bodas

A boda boda (motorbike taxi) weaves through traffic that a car cannot, and for short trips it is often the fastest option. It is also the riskiest. If you use one:

  • Wear the helmet, and ask for one if none is offered.
  • Book through Uber, Bolt or Little where possible, so the ride is traceable.
  • Hold on, keep bags light, and avoid boda bodas at night and in heavy rain.

Trains

  • Nairobi Commuter Rail - Kenya Railways runs cheap commuter trains from the central station to suburbs including Syokimau, Embakasi Village, Ruiru and Kikuyu. Services are concentrated at rush hour, so check the timetable.
  • The SGR (Madaraka Express) - to Mombasa from the Nairobi Terminus near Syokimau, in around five to six hours depending on the service. Book on Kenya Railways’ ticketing site and bring the ID you booked with. It sells out at holidays.

The Expressway

The Nairobi Expressway is an elevated toll road from Mlolongo, past JKIA and the CBD, to James Gichuru Road in Westlands. It turns a two-hour rush-hour drive to the airport into half an hour. Tolls depend on the distance and are paid by card, by M-Pesa or with a prepaid tag. Ride-hailing drivers will ask before using it, because you pay the toll.

Walking and cycling

The CBD, Westlands and Kilimani are walkable in daylight, and pavements are improving. Crossing the big roads is the hard part: use footbridges and signalled crossings. Cycling is growing, but traffic and potholes make it best for confident riders or for Karura Forest’s trails.

What it costs

Compare a month of matatus, ride-hailing and driving with the commute cost calculator.

Driving

See Driving in Nairobi.

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