Getting to Nairobi
Nairobi is an important African transport hub, and is easily reached by air from any number of international destinations. By land, frequent transport is made from Mombasa either by rail or bus. Several travellers also arrive by road via Southern Africa as well as Ethiopia, the latter being available only through escorted convoys that make regular journeys via Isiolo.
By car
The A109 and the A104 are the two principal highways running through Nairobi. The A109 heads southeast to Mombasa and the Tsavo national parks; while the A104 runs due south to Namanga and Tanzania.
Driving conditions on these roads can be very hectic at times, and all of the major routes are plied by buses and other forms of local transportation. Tourists are warned to take care on roads in outlying regions, as much of the desert region is highly unregulated and essentially lawless. The roads are, in any case, adequate for transportation; and it's possible to drive to Mombasa as well as the many smaller towns in between.
By rail
Nairobi's original founding placed the city on a prominent railway line. Today, Kenya Railways is headquartered near the city centre. Most of the through-traffic, from Mombasa to Kampala, is freight only; however, passenger trains do run at night, connecting Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. There are also a few lines that run into the surrounding suburbs, which depart mainly during mornings and evenings.
By bus
Buses are Nairobi's most frequent form of public transit. The privately-owned Matatus are the most well-known form. These minibuses can carry 12 people on fixed routes to destinations within Nairobi as well as into the outlying towns. The destination of the bus is painted on the side of these colourful vehicles.
The Matatu bus system went through a significant safety overhaul in 2004, placing restrictions on numbers of passengers, speed governors and safety belts. While these changes were not popular among Matatu drivers, they have made significant strides in making public transportation safer.
By air
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the primary facility to serve Nairobi. It's the largest airport in East Africa, with the highest annual throughput at approximately four million passengers. This important hub manages flights inbound and outbound to destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Taxis provide transport into the city centre, as do shuttle buses which depart from the bus stops outside of Unit 1 and Unit 2.
This single-terminal facility is divided into three units, marked for domestic and international flights. As should be expected from its regional status, facilities are abundant. ATMs, booking agents, taxis and car hire are all available on-site in the Arrivals Hall.
Dining options are spread throughout the entire facility. Simba restaurant is the most centralised, located on the fifth floor of the central area. Unit 1 houses a cafeteria; Unit 2 keeps a combined restaurant and pub; and Unit 3 hosts a snack bar. Soft drinks and hot beverages are available in every unit.
Parking facilities cater for disabled persons, and anyone requiring specific attention can contact their airline in advance in order to make the necessary arrangements.
Information kiosks are well-placed throughout all three units, as are the arrivals and departures boards. Passengers seeking extensive business facilities may find that they have to venture out to the nearby hotels to find adequate services.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful, and while the rates are relatively expensive, the comfort and peace compared to bus and matatu transportation is worth the extra cost. In addition, many of the roads become unsafe after dark and visitors should stick with taxis as their main mode of transport after hours.