Madaraka Express

The SGR Train: Nairobi to Mombasa

Ride the Madaraka Express to the coast: comfortable, scenic and a perfect finish, or start, to a Kenya safari.

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The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel between Nairobi and the Kenya coast. Its passenger service, the Madaraka Express, runs every day between Nairobi and Mombasa in about five hours, on a raised track with wide views over the savanna and the Tsavo parks.

We use the SGR on many of our safaris. Finish an Amboseli or Tsavo safari at the coast without a long day on the Mombasa road, or start at the coast and ride the train inland to meet your driver-guide at Emali, near Amboseli.

This guide covers the timetable, the classes and fares, what you can see from the window and how the train fits into a Kenya safari. We book the train tickets and all the transfers, so your safari and the train are one simple booking.

Why take the train

Why ride the SGR on safari

Skip the road

The Nairobi to Mombasa road is about 480 km and busy with lorries. On the train you avoid the traffic and the long day at the wheel.

Comfortable seats

Big windows, reclining seats and power sockets in First class, and a buffet car for drinks and snacks.

Views of Kenya

The raised track looks out over the plains and, through the Tsavo region, you may see elephant, zebra, giraffe and antelope from your seat.

Next to the parks

Emali is the station for Amboseli, Mtito Andei for Tsavo West and Voi for Tsavo East, so the train links the parks neatly.

A fixed timetable

Trains leave at set times, which makes it easy to plan the coast end of your safari and your beach hotel check-in.

One simple booking

We book the train tickets with your safari, meet you at the station and arrange the transfers at both ends.

Along the line

What you can see from the train

Soon after leaving Nairobi the line crosses Nairobi National Park on a raised viaduct, built on tall concrete pillars so that wildlife can walk freely beneath it. Our photos show impala and buffalo doing exactly that, with the city never far away.

Beyond the park the track runs across the Kapiti plains to Emali, near Amboseli, and on through the Tsavo region, where the stations of Mtito Andei and Voi serve Tsavo West and Tsavo East. Travellers often spot elephant, zebra, giraffe and antelope from the window. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the raised track gives you a view you would not get from the road.

Two male impala with spiralling horns standing on a dirt track beneath the tall concrete pillars of the SGR viaduct in Nairobi National Park
Impala beneath the SGR viaduct in Nairobi National Park.
A herd of buffalo walking on the grass beneath the long concrete pillars of the SGR viaduct in Nairobi National Park
Buffalo walking beneath the viaduct, with the train line high above.
A guest in a wide-brimmed hat looks out of an SGR train window at zebras grazing on golden savanna
Zebras on the savanna, seen from the train window. Photo: Kenya Railways

Timetable

SGR train times between Nairobi and Mombasa

TrainNairobi to MombasaMombasa to NairobiStops
Morning (stopping train)8:00 am8:00 amCalls at the stations on the way: Emali, Mtito Andei and Voi
Afternoon (express)3:00 pm3:00 pmA faster train with fewer stops
Night10:00 pm10:00 pmThe overnight train

Kenya Railways sets and can change the timetable, so these departure times are a guide. We confirm the current times when we plan your trip. A typical day on one of our safaris: you reach Emali station at about 9:15 am, board the first class train at about 9:50 am and arrive in Mombasa at about 2:15 pm.

Classes and fares

Economy, First and Premium on the SGR

The inside of an SGR first class carriage with rows of reclining seats with red headrests and a red carpet
An SGR first class carriage. Photo: Kenya Railways

Economy

The budget seat, in rows of 2 and 3 across. About KSh 1,500 (around US$12) one way from Nairobi to Mombasa.

First class

Wider reclining seats in rows of 2 and 2, tray tables, power sockets, complimentary water and the buffet car. About KSh 4,500 (around US$36) one way. This is the class we book on our safaris.

Premium

Flat-bed seats, lounge access and a hot meal. About KSh 12,000 (around US$96) one way.

Fares are per adult for the full journey, lower for shorter trips, and set by Kenya Railways. Children pay less and the youngest travel free: we check the current rules when we book. Prices change, so please treat these as a guide.

On your safari

How we use the SGR on your safari

  • From Amboseli to the coast. After a short game drive as you leave Amboseli, you drive about 100 km (around 1½ hours) to Emali station. You arrive at about 9:15 am, board the first class Madaraka Express at about 9:50 am and reach Mombasa at about 2:15 pm. Your driver meets you at the station for the transfer to your beach hotel in Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Watamu or Malindi.
  • From Tsavo West or Tsavo East to the coast. On our longer Nairobi to Mombasa safaris you end the game drives in Tsavo and board at the park's own station: Mtito Andei beside Tsavo West (about 11:25 am) or Voi beside Tsavo East (about 12:35 pm). Both trains arrive in Mombasa at about 2:20 pm.
  • From the coast to Amboseli. Your driver collects you from your beach hotel and takes you to Mombasa station for the 8:00 am train to Emali. You arrive at about 10:50 am and your driver-guide meets you for the drive of about 100 km (around 1½ hours) into Amboseli National Park.
  • We book it all. The train tickets, the station pick-ups and the transfers at both ends are part of your safari quote, so you only need to turn up at the station with your passport.

Tips for riding the SGR

  • Arrive at the station at least 90 minutes before departure for check-in and the security screening.
  • Keep your passport with you: foreign visitors need it when the tickets are booked.
  • Keep your ticket until you arrive: you need it to leave the station at the other end.
  • Leave knives, sharp tools and glass bottles at home: luggage is screened before boarding.
  • Keep your documents and valuables in your hand luggage, and take a bottle of water and a snack.
  • At school holidays and long weekends Economy often sells out, so book early. We do this for you.

Plan it with us

Safaris that use the SGR

Kilimanjaro views3 days

Amboseli & Kilimanjaro Views Safari

Amboseli National ParkNairobi → Nairobi or Mombasa3 national parks4 days

Amboseli, Tsavo West & East to the Coast

Amboseli · Tsavo West · Tsavo EastNairobi → Nairobi or the coastMara to the coast5 days

Maasai Mara & Amboseli to the Coast

Maasai Mara · AmboseliNairobi → Mombasa3 national parks6 days

Mara, Nakuru & Amboseli to the Coast

Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · AmboseliNairobi → MombasaFamily friendly8 days

Discover Kenya Safari

Amboseli · Lake Naivasha · Lake Nakuru · Maasai MaraNairobi or Mombasa → NairobiSafari + SGR train12 days

Kenya Safari to the Coast

Samburu · Ol Pejeta · Aberdare · Lake Nakuru · Maasai Mara · Naivasha · Amboseli · Tsavo WestNairobi → Mombasa

Questions

SGR train questions

How long does the SGR take from Nairobi to Mombasa?

About 4½ to 6 hours by day, depending on the train. The morning train calls at several stations, so it takes a little longer than the afternoon express.

Where does the SGR leave from?

In Nairobi the trains leave from the Nairobi Terminus at Syokimau, on the southern side of the city. In Mombasa they arrive at the Mombasa Terminus at Miritini, on the mainland. Your driver either takes you to the station or meets you there, depending on your safari.

Can I see wildlife from the train?

Often, yes, but never with a guarantee. The line crosses Nairobi National Park on a raised viaduct, so animals such as impala and buffalo walk freely underneath, and travellers regularly report elephant, zebra and giraffe on the stretch through the Tsavo region.

Which class should I choose?

First class has wider reclining seats, power sockets, complimentary water and access to the buffet car, and it is the class we use on our safaris. Economy is the budget choice, and Premium has flat-bed seats, lounge access and a hot meal.

Can Flexivel Kenya Safaris book my SGR tickets?

Yes. We book the tickets with your safari and arrange the transfers at both ends, so you do not have to deal with the booking system. Tell us your dates and group size and we will include the train in your quote.

Is it better to fly or take the train to the coast?

Flying is quicker. The road to Nairobi followed by the SGR is more scenic, avoids extra flights and costs less for many travellers. We are happy to quote both so you can compare.

Do the train times and fares change?

Yes. Kenya Railways sets the timetable and the fares and can change them, so please treat the times and prices on this page as a guide. We confirm the current times when we plan your trip.

Planning a beach finish? Read our guide to combining the Maasai Mara with Diani, see all our Nairobi to Mombasa safaris or explore the Kenya coast.

Plan your safari with the SGR

Tell us your dates, your group size and where you would like to finish. We will price the safari with and without the train and send you a free quote within 24 hours.

Get my free quote WhatsApp +254 775 522 067

Accreditations & booking security

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