The direct Nairobi commuter train rail service to JKIA from Nairobi CBD is now operational and it costs KES 500 (US$5) one way per trim for JKIA – CBD commuter train.
The new railway link from Nairobi city center to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) began operations on 7th December 2020 and is bound to make it the cheapest and fastest way to get to JKIA airport from Nairobi CBD.
To get to JKIA by train rail, you will need to take the train from Nairobi Railway Station which will drop you at the Embakasi Village Railway Station. Thereafter, board the courtesy Nairobi Commuter Rail Bus aka the Bus Rapid Transit Vehicles which ensures you make it to JKIA in time through the dedicated Airport South Road .
With the JKIA Express route commuter train rail service, you can confidently say goodbye to missing flights by avoiding the all famous traffic snarl-up on Mombasa road which is currently undergoing some upgrades.
As part of part of the Nairobi Metropolitan’s Transport Master Plan through a Public Private Partnership with the Kenya Railway Corporation (KRC) began operations of a five meter-gauge class 61 DMUs on the Nairobi Commuter Network Rail Service (NCRS) on November 10, 2020.
The NCRS project aims to modernize and expand Nairobi’s under-utilized commuter rail infrastructure on a ‘Park and Ride’ model to reduce congestion on the roads and create an efficient and affordable mass rapid transit system (MRTS).
The NCRS project includes upgrades to existing railway stations, rolling stock, signaling systems and about 100km of railway track, as well as the construction of new railway stations in Buru Buru, Pipeline, Umoja, Githurai, and Donholm.
The project will be implemented in three phases:
- Phase 1 – upgrade of the four existing commuter lines + the creation of a new rail link to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) scheduled to open in 2021
- Phase 2 – The objective is to extend commuter services to Thika, Limuru, and Lukenya
- Phase 3 – The goal here is to improve accessibility to rail services for Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Ngong, Kiambu, Ruai and Kangemi.
As the direct rail link from the Nairobi Central Railway Station in the Nairobi CBD to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is yet to start operations, to get to JKIA you will need to take the train up to Embakasi station, and then board the new railway bus connection between the airport and the railway station.
As the train schedules keep changing time and again, the best way to is to follow Kenya Railways on their social media channels. Personally I’d recommend their Facebook page for the train schedules and updates.
Bookmark this page for any updates.
Image Credit: Nairobi Metropolitan Services
