Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

Overview

The primary airport for flights to Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was named for the country's first prime minister (who later became its first president). The facility serves more than five million passengers each year on flights from other African countries, as well as Europe and the Middle East, including cities like London, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Doha, Antananarivo, Kinshasa, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Maputo, Johannesburg and Cairo.

The facility itself is basic, though it has a good selection of duty-free souvenir shops and a few good restaurants. Located 9.3 miles (15km) from central Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is rather busier than it can handle with long queues a common occurrence. Expansion plans are underway however, to increase capacity by 1.5 million passengers.

Location

The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) south east of Nairobi.

Getting to the city

The KBS bus service 34 leaves fairly regularly for the city centre; most travellers however take a taxi or arrange to be picked up by their hotel or tour operator. The Mercedes taxis take passengers to the central city hotels for a fixed fare.

Time

GMT +3.

Contacts

Tel: +254 (0)20 822 111

Car rental

Avis, Europcar and Hertz, among others, are represented at the airport.

Facilities

The facilities at the airport are fairly limited, but include a bank and bureau de change, left luggage, telephones and fax, medical aid, a bar and restaurant, duty-free shops selling curios, a post office, tourist information and hotel reservations. There are disabled facilities, but passengers should advise their airline in advance of any special needs.

Parking

Parking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is charged at KSH 60 per hour for short-term parking, and KSH 70 per hour for long-term parking.

Departure Tax

US$20, but this is usually included in the ticket price.

Website

www.kenyaairports.co.ke

Airlines

Flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are available via British Airways, African Express Airways, Air Arabia, Emirates, Air Madagascar, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Air Uganda, KLM, Air Zimbabwe, South African Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eqyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, Fly 540, Gulf Air, Jetlink Express, Kenya Airways, Qatar, Saudi Arabia Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Internet

Wifi is accessible at several coffee shops for paying customers.

Business Lounges

VIP lounges associated with individual airlines provide business services and internet cafes offer copy and fax services, however conference facilities are only available at hotels in Nairobi.

Nairobi Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.