Airport · NBO
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Nairobi, Kenya
HualinXMN — CC BY-SA 4.0
IATA
NBO
Continent
Africa
Country
Kenya
Transport
Getting To & From Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is situated approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Nairobi's central business district. The most efficient route into the city is via the Nairobi Expressway, which significantly cuts transit times during heavy traffic periods. Official metered or fixed-rate taxis (such as Kenatco) and app-based rideshares like Uber and Bolt operate designated pick-up zones outside the terminals. Depending on traffic congestion, a taxi or rideshare to the city center takes between 30 and 45 minutes, with standard fares typically ranging from KES 2,500 to 3,000. Budget public minibuses (matatus) are also available along the main access roads, though they are less practical for travelers with heavy luggage.
Navigate
Terminals & Getting Around
Terminals
The airport is structured around two main areas: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is split into five interconnected sections: Terminal 1A handles international arrivals and departures primarily for Kenya Airways and its SkyTeam partners; Terminals 1B and 1C handle international departures for various global carriers; Terminal 1D manages domestic arrivals and departures; and Terminal 1E functions primarily for international arrivals. Terminal 2 sits slightly apart and services various regional and low-cost operators. Terminals 1A through 1D are physically connected via walkways, while a terminal shuttle service operates regularly to bridge Terminal 2.
Hours of Operation
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport operates 24 hours a day, serving as the primary aviation gateway and major hub for East Africa. Overnight stays inside the public zones are generally discouraged, though airside transit facilities and airport hotels are available.
Know Before You Go
Practical Tips
- Security Screenings: Expect multiple security checkpoints at NBO, including an initial screening perimeter before entering the terminal buildings and subsequent checks at individual gates. Allow extra time for processing.
- Connection Times: If you are self-transferring between international and domestic flights (such as moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2), allocate a minimum of 2 to 3 hours to account for terminal transfers, baggage collection, and re-check-in.
- Entry Requirements: Ensure you verify Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements well in advance of departure, as airlines will check documentation rigorously at your origin point.
- Connectivity: Mobile network provider counters (such as Safaricom) are situated directly in the arrivals area, making it straightforward to pick up a local SIM card before heading into the city.
Comfort
Lounges
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) offers a mix of airline-branded and independent facilities spread primarily across Terminal 1. For international travelers, the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1D (near Gate 4) accepts Priority Pass and LoungeKey, providing comfortable seating, runway views, shower facilities, and hot food options. Also in Terminal 1, the Aspire Nairobi Lounge operates in Terminal 1B, and the Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Lounge serves eligible passengers in Terminal 1E. Kenya Airways operates its flagship carrier spaces—the Pride Lounge and Simba Lounge—largely centered around Terminal 1A. For domestic or low-cost passengers using Terminal 2, options are restricted to regional spaces like the Mount Kenya Lounge and Mara Lounge, though note that the Mount Kenya Lounge strictly limits access to domestic departures out of Terminal 2 and does not permit entry from Terminal 1.
Staying Online
Wi-Fi & Charging
Wi-Fi access across the terminals is provided via the network SSID “Airport Free Wi-Fi” (or “NBO Free Wi-Fi” depending on the zone), requiring a simple captive portal agreement or email sign-in. Real-world network reliability and speeds fluctuate based on terminal congestion, averaging modest download speeds around 12 Mbps. Mobile charging infrastructure is unevenly distributed; fixed multi-standard charging stations—accommodating UK-style 3-pin plugs and USB slots—are available in select seated gate zones and rest areas within Terminals 1A, 1C, and 1E, but remain sparse in Terminal 2.
Eat & Drink
Food & Dining
Terminal 1 features the most substantial concentration of food and beverage outlets. East Africa's ubiquitous Java House chain maintains multiple locations (including Terminal 1A and a Java House Express in Terminal 1E) serving signature coffee, pastries, and full meals. Additional airside and landside choices include Paul Caffe in Terminal 1A for French-inspired light dining, The Tav Irish Pub in Terminal 1C, and quick-service counters like Chicken Inn. Nas Servair operates 24-hour concepts such as Departure Express near Gate 4 in Terminal 1C and Safari Express in the Terminal 1D domestic departures lounge. Options are significantly more basic in Terminal 2, where operations lean heavily on smaller snack kiosks like Table 49.
Driving In
Parking
Public parking at JKIA is managed via automated entry-exit systems controlled by Kenya Airports Parking Services (KAPS Ltd). Short-stay and drop-off/pick-up lots feature structured tariffs scaled by duration. Initial brief stops (up to 20 to 30 minutes) incur baseline fees starting around KSH 100, scaling up incrementally for longer hourly blocks (such as KSH 150 to KSH 200 for subsequent blocks, and higher rates up to several hundred shillings for hours beyond that). Extended multi-day or long-stay vehicle storage options are available on-site for travelers leaving vehicles overnight, typically calculated on a 24-hour daily flat-rate structure (roughly KSH 1,000 for standard saloon cars). Lost tickets or unauthorized clamping carry steep non-refundable penalties.
Staying Nearby
Nearby Hotels
While there are no hotels physically integrated inside the terminal walking-airside perimeter, several international branded hotels sit within a 2-to-4 kilometer radius outside the airport gates along Mombasa Road and the Nairobi Expressway corridor. Properties such as the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport and the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport are located roughly 2 kilometers from the complex and routinely dispatch dedicated complimentary guest shuttle vehicles. Additional nearby options positioned just off the highway include the Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport and the Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi Airport.
Sources: Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), AirMundo NBO Airport Guide, Priority Pass NBO Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounge NBO Review - One Mile at a Time / Industry Insights, Sleeping in Airports - Nairobi Airport Guide (NBO), JKIA Official / Airport Information Facilities