First things first — the arrival process
JKIA handles millions of passengers a year and has improved significantly over the last decade. Terminal 1A handles most international arrivals. When you land, follow the signs for Immigration — queues can be long during peak hours (especially evening arrivals when multiple long-haul flights land close together), so build patience into your mental plan.
If you are visiting Kenya, you will need a tourist visa. The good news: Kenya now operates an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system, which means you apply and pay online before you travel at etakenya.go.ke. Do this before you fly. Arriving without it creates avoidable delays at the immigration desk.
Pro tip: Apply for your eTA at least 72 hours before departure. The system usually processes faster, but do not leave it to the last hour.
Baggage claim and customs
After clearing immigration, proceed to baggage claim. Screens at the hall will show which belt your flight is assigned to. Baggage handling is generally efficient, but international long-haul flights sometimes take 30–40 minutes for bags to appear — especially if the aircraft had a heavy cargo load.
Once you have your bags, you will pass through customs. Green channel is for passengers with nothing to declare. Red channel is for items exceeding duty-free limits. Most visitors proceed through the green channel without issue.
The arrivals hall — your first test
This is where things can get overwhelming for a first-time visitor. The arrivals hall at JKIA is busy, loud, and filled with drivers, touts, family members, and tour operators all jostling for attention. If you do not have a confirmed transfer, you will be approached repeatedly by informal taxi operators, some of whom will quote prices that change significantly between the kerb and your destination.
What to do
Book in advance
A confirmed transfer means someone is already holding your name. Walk past the noise straight to your driver.
What to avoid
Unverified taxis
Informal operators at the kerb often have no meter, no insurance, and prices that feel negotiable until they don't.
What to expect
Named signboards
Professional transfer companies — including Movani — will have your name clearly displayed near the arrivals exit.
Getting from JKIA to Nairobi city centre
The airport sits approximately 18 km southeast of Nairobi's city centre. The journey typically takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. Morning and evening rush hours can push this to 90 minutes or more — Mombasa Road, which connects the airport to the city, is one of Nairobi's busiest arteries.
Your transport options from JKIA include:
- Private chauffeur transfer — pre-booked, named driver, fixed price, professional vehicle. This is the Movani model. No surprises.
- Ride-hailing apps — Uber and Bolt operate at JKIA. Prices are transparent but surge during peak hours and availability varies.
- Metered airport taxis — available at the designated taxi rank. Reasonably priced and regulated, but you queue and take the next available driver.
- Hotel shuttles — many Nairobi hotels offer complimentary or paid airport pickups. Worth checking when you book.
- Matatus (public minibuses) — not recommended for airport arrivals with luggage. Routes are indirect and not suited to first-time visitors navigating a new city.
When you book a Movani Travels airport transfer, we monitor your flight in real time. If you are delayed, we already know — you will never land to find your driver gone.
Money, SIM cards, and essentials at the airport
There are ATMs and currency exchange booths both before and after customs. M-Pesa, Kenya's mobile money system, is used everywhere — but you will need a local Safaricom SIM to access it. SIM card vendors operate near the arrivals exit. Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya are also available.
Mobile data is fast and affordable in Kenya. A Safaricom Simba data bundle will keep you connected for the duration of your visit for a very reasonable cost.
What to expect in your first hour in Nairobi
Nairobi is a dynamic, modern city — but like any major capital, your first impression depends enormously on how you enter it. Arriving into a clean, quiet vehicle where someone already knows where you are going gives you time to decompress, charge your phone, and arrive ready for whatever comes next — whether that is a meeting, a hotel check-in, or the start of a holiday.
The city is greener than most first-time visitors expect. The drive from JKIA passes through industrial areas before opening into the tree-lined suburbs of Nairobi. Keep an eye out — it is a genuinely beautiful city when you are not stressed about your transport.
Arriving at JKIA? Let us handle the rest.
Book your Movani Travels airport transfer before you fly. We will track your flight, meet you by name in arrivals, handle your luggage, and have you in Nairobi in a comfortable executive vehicle — without the chaos.
WhatsApp: +254 115 998 328