Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Airport (NBO) Flights & Information

Named for Kenya’s first president after independence, Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the busiest airport in East Africa, processing around 7 million passengers per year.

The home airport for Kenya Airways, NBO attracts a mix of corporate and leisure travelers. It’s also a key destination for NGOs – the United Nations Africa headquarters is located in Nairobi – but also draws millions of vacationers on their way to the Indian Ocean resorts near Mombasa or to the safaris of the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Whatever brings you to Nairobi, these handy tips and tricks will make your journey a whole lot smoother.

Arriving at Nairobi

In addition to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi has a second airport, Nairobi Wilson (WIL). Wilson serves mostly domestic routes and charter aircraft. It’s about 20 minutes by car, but be careful which airport you are booking, especially when it comes to connecting flights.

Depending on your airline you will most likely arrive at Terminal 1A (used by Kenya Airways and other SkyTeam carriers) or Terminal 1E (for Emirates, Qatar Airways, Star Alliance carriers, Lufthansa and a few others).

These are actually just different concourses in the same terminal but are located on opposite ends of the large semi-circular building. Once you’re through customs and immigration formalities you’ll exit the airport into the same parking and pick-up area. The process is similar at both concourses, with well-marked passages leading first to immigration.

I have sometimes breezed through in mere minutes, but immigration lines can be horrendous at peak times – usually between 8 pm and 10 pm, with the arrival of European flights. Pack some extra patience and throw in a friendly “Jambo” (“Hello” in kiSwahili) to the officer and you’ll smooth the process. Or, my top tip, book a meet-and-greet service to jump the line (more on this later).

After clearing immigration head to baggage claim, which is generally well-managed with airline staff on hand to help locate missing bags. At customs you’ll need to send your cabin luggage and, usually, checked bags through an X-ray scanner.

If you are in transit to another international flight and will not be leaving the airport, no visa is required. Simply follow the connections signage on arrival. You will, however, have to clear security again to reach the departure gates.

Meet-and-greet services

If you’re nervous about flying into Nairobi, consider using one of the airport’s accredited meet-and-greet services. Staff will meet you as you disembark from the aircraft, escort you through immigration and customs, and help you to your onward transportation.

Aside from a friendly local face who knows the airport, you get to use the priority lanes at customs, immigration and airline check-in, which can save plenty of time when it’s busy. I used Tradewinds on my last visit and was really impressed by their service and cost.

Getting between Nairobi and NBO

Public transport in Nairobi is challenging and can be unreliable. Your hotel will be able to assist with pre-booked transfers or may even have their own shuttle service – a convenient but often expensive option.

Yellow metered taxis are common, but locals always recommend using Uber or Bolt to get to the airport, valuing the convenience of cashless payments and ride tracking. Beware of Nairobi’s notorious traffic, especially at morning and afternoon peak times, and allow plenty of extra time to get to the airport.

Airport hotels

There are 3 excellent airport hotels located close to the airport, with complimentary shuttle buses running 24 hours a day. Four Points by Sheraton is the closest (around 1.9 miles), while Hilton Garden Inn is a 5-star option a little further out. On my last trip I opted for the Crowne Plaza (around 2.5 miles from the terminal) and loved the fitness center, spa and rooftop pool.

Departing from Nairobi

Nairobi’s 5 main concourses (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) are situated in the same semi-circular Terminal 1, but you’ll need to go to the correct zone for your airline to enter. There is also a Terminal 2 situated in a separate part of the airport, reached by shuttle bus, but it only serves a handful of regional low-cost carriers and no major airlines.

Before being allowed into the check-in area you’ll need to show your passport and go through a security check. Security at Nairobi is strict and you will be asked to remove your belt, watch and shoes before passing through the x-ray machine. Because of this extra step the lines can stretch out the door.

If you’re departing in the peak evening time between 8pm and midnight allow a little extra time. The check-in hall is generally well-managed and lines move quickly. If you’re not in a premium cabin, a meet-and-greet service will allow you to join the priority lines anyway.

In 1A, immigration is to the left of the check-in gates. I head for the farthest line because it’s usually also the shortest. After immigration you’ll find the next security check one level up (elevators are available for those with mobility issues).

There are usually 6 to 8 active security lines here, so look to see which has the shortest line – it’s usually near the middle. You’ll need to remove your shoes here, and send laptops, watches, belts and so on through the scanner.

Once you’re airside, you’ll find plenty of seating available, and as you walk further away from 1A (to the lower-numbered gates) the terminal feels quieter and calmer. I love the fact there are lots of free charging stations.

Amenities at NBO

There is a small children’s play area near Gate 13. A Mummy-Toto lactation suite is available close to Gate 15 for mothers needing a little privacy.

The airside area includes a number of duty-free shops selling the usual array of fragrances, tobacco, alcohol and confectionery, along with selected Kenyan specialty products such as black tea and coffee.

Ikwetta, near Gate 10, has a really nice selection of Kenyan clothing and décor items. Enanai, near Gate 8, has more traditional crafts, wooden carvings and souvenirs.

There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal and it works well. It’s easy to connect and doesn’t seem to time out, even after spending a while online. No voucher or passcode is necessary, either.

Lounges

There is an impressive selection of airport lounges on offer at Nairobi, geared towards both premium class passengers and paying guests.

Simba Lounge is the main premium lounge for Kenya Airways, located on the first floor above security. They also accept business class passengers flying on SkyTeam carriers. It’s a small lounge, but offers a small bar and buffet, shower facilities and comfortable seating. Paying guests are also welcome.

Alpine Lounge, near Gate 11, is a cheaper option and has a buffet, bar and shower facilities, but limited views. The same goes for the Asante lounge, a second lounge for Kenya Airways and SkyTeam passengers, near Gate 6.

My favorite lounge is The Plaza, near Gate 5, which welcomes passengers of Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air India. It’s a contemporary space with wonderfully friendly staff and a decent buffet of light meals. It includes a full bar, including Tusker lager on tap. Paying guests are welcome, and there’s a cheaper rate to just use the (clean and spacious) shower facilities.

Restaurants at Nairobi Airport

Outside of the lounges there aren’t many good places to eat at Nairobi airport. I usually get coffee at Java House, but a quieter option is the Paul Caffé near Gate 13, where the menu also runs to burgers, curry and grills. There is a small food court upstairs in 1A – try Ro-Ro Chinese and Oriental or Amaica for pan-African plates.

The low-down on yellow fever

Yellow fever is endemic to much of Kenya, and many countries require that travelers departing from Kenya provide proof of vaccination on arrival.

A single-dose vaccine gives lifetime immunity (prior to 2014 this was limited to 10 years), but must be administered at least 10 days before you enter the country. Be sure to have your vaccination certificate with you, as I have been asked for it at check-in and even at the boarding gate.