Nakuru is 160km northwest of Nairobi on the A104 highway - one of Kenya’s best-travelled and best-maintained intercity routes. As the Rift Valley’s main urban centre and gateway to Lake Nakuru National Park, the city sees heavy passenger traffic every day of the week. Getting here is genuinely easy, with frequent buses, matatus, and even a train option.
This guide is part of our Nakuru travel guide; for the rest of your planning, see our guides to where to stay in Nakuru and things to do in Nakuru.
By Long-Distance Bus from Nairobi
The Nairobi–Nakuru route is one of Kenya’s busiest coach corridors. Easy Coach, Modern Coast, and Guardian Coach all run regular daytime services. Departures start from early morning and continue until mid-afternoon, with fares around KES 400–700 one way as of 2026.
Easy Coach operates from its own terminal near Nairobi’s town centre (check their website for the current boarding point). Modern Coast and others depart from around the Machakos Bus Station area. All coaches drop passengers at Nakuru’s town centre, close to the main matatu stage.
Journey time is typically 2 to 2.5 hours under normal conditions. The A104 via Naivasha is good tarmac with a long descent into the Rift Valley that offers impressive views of the escarpment. Traffic leaving Nairobi can add 30–60 minutes on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings.
By Matatu from Nairobi
Shared matatus cover the Nairobi–Nakuru route continuously throughout the day. They depart from Koja Stage in Nairobi (near the City Market area) and Westlands. Journey time is comparable to the bus - approximately 2–2.5 hours - but with more frequent stops along the way.
Fares run around KES 300–500 depending on the time of day and vehicle type. Matatus are the most flexible option for early morning or late afternoon travel when scheduled coaches may be fully booked, but they are more cramped and the driving can be erratic on this fast highway. The coach is worth the modest price difference for most travellers.
By Train from Nairobi
Kenya Railways runs a passenger service on the old metre-gauge line from Nairobi Syokimau station to Nakuru. The journey takes approximately 5–6 hours - significantly slower than road travel - but the fare is cheaper and the route passes through attractive highland scenery above the Rift Valley escarpment.
Departures are not daily on all services; check the Kenya Railways schedule and book ahead as seat numbers are limited. Syokimau station is south of Nairobi city centre and is served by the commuter rail network from the CBD.
This is a practical option for travellers on a tight budget or those who want an alternative perspective on the journey. Do not rely on it for tight connections.
From Kisumu and Western Kenya
Nakuru sits at the junction of routes from the west, making it the key transit point for travellers moving between western Kenya and Nairobi. From Kisumu, matatus and coaches cover the approximately 260km journey in around 3–4 hours along the A104. Multiple departures run throughout the day.
From Eldoret, the journey is approximately 150km south on the A104. Matatus and coaches depart frequently and the journey takes 2–2.5 hours. This is a well-established route and there is no shortage of vehicles.
From Naivasha
Nakuru and Naivasha are just 60km apart on the A104. This short hop takes approximately 45 minutes by matatu (KES 150–250). Travellers doing a Lake Naivasha–Lake Nakuru circuit often travel this leg by matatu rather than a full coach. Matatus depart frequently from Naivasha’s town centre stage.
Arriving in Nakuru
Long-distance buses and matatus arrive at the Nakuru Matatu Stage near the centre of town, close to the main market. From here, tuk-tuks and boda bodas cover the town at fares of KES 50–150.
Nakuru town centre is compact and walkable. The main ATMs (Equity, KCB, Cooperative), supermarkets (Naivas, Quickmart), and Nakuru National Park’s main gate are all reachable within 15–20 minutes on foot or a short tuk-tuk ride from the stage.
Taxis are available for transfers to accommodations outside the town centre and for the drive to Lake Nakuru National Park’s Lanet Gate. Agree on a fare before departure - typical town trips run KES 200–400.
Where to Stay in Nakuru
Arriving after a long journey is easier with a bed already booked. Compare hotels in Nakuru on Booking.com and check recent guest reviews before you travel.