Flights to Kenya — Booking Tips, Airlines & Best Deals

Kenya is East Africa’s best-connected country by air, with direct flights from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and other African capitals. Nairobi serves as a regional aviation hub, making it straightforward to reach from most parts of the world. Here is what we recommend knowing before booking.

Kenya’s Major International Airports

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is Kenya’s primary gateway and the busiest airport in East Africa. It handles the vast majority of long-haul international flights and serves as the hub for Kenya Airways. Located about 15 km southeast of Nairobi city centre.

Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa serves Kenya’s coast and handles direct flights from several European cities (particularly charter routes), as well as regional connections. It is the arrival point for beach holidays and the coastal region, located about 9 km west of Mombasa city centre.

Eldoret International Airport (EDL) in western Kenya handles limited international cargo traffic and some passenger services but is not relevant for most tourist arrivals.

Wilson Airport (WIL) is a smaller airport within Nairobi that handles domestic and regional flights, including most safari bush flights. It is about 6 km south of the city centre and is important for onward travel to game reserves.

Airlines Serving Kenya

From the UK, Kenya Airways and British Airways both operate daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Nairobi. Flight time is approximately 8 hours 30 minutes. TUI operates seasonal direct flights to Mombasa. Virgin Atlantic has operated London-Nairobi service in recent years — check current schedules.

From mainland Europe, KLM flies from Amsterdam (Kenya Airways’ alliance partner, with codeshare connections from across Europe). Turkish Airlines connects via Istanbul. Lufthansa, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines serve Nairobi from their respective hubs. Condor and TUI fly seasonally to Mombasa from German airports.

From the US, no non-stop flights currently operate to Kenya. The most efficient connections are via London (British Airways or Kenya Airways), Amsterdam (KLM), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or Doha/Dubai (Qatar Airways/Emirates). Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is also competitive, particularly from Washington Dulles where Ethiopian operates direct. Total travel time from New York to Nairobi is approximately 16-20 hours including the connection.

From the Middle East, Emirates flies direct from Dubai, Qatar Airways from Doha, and Oman Air from Muscat. These Gulf carriers offer competitive fares and are a useful routing option from Asia, as Dubai and Doha are efficient connection points for flights originating in India, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

From Africa, Kenya Airways operates an extensive network connecting Nairobi to virtually every East, Central, and Southern African capital. Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, and South African Airways also serve Nairobi.

Kenya Airways is the national carrier, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, and operates the widest network from Nairobi. Its fleet includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners on long-haul routes with a respectable product.

Best Time to Book for Deals

Kenya’s tourism peaks during the Great Migration season in the Masai Mara (roughly July through October), when flights — particularly to Nairobi — are at their most expensive. The second peak is Christmas and New Year, popular with European visitors.

The cheapest fares typically appear for April, May, and November departures. April and May are Kenya’s “long rains” season, which deters some visitors but offers lower prices across the board (rain is typically afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours). November falls between the migration peak and the Christmas rush.

For the best prices, we recommend booking 2 to 4 months ahead for European flights and 3 to 6 months ahead for connections from the US.

Return flights from London to Nairobi start from approximately £350-450 in off-season, rising to £550-800 during the July-October migration peak as of 2026. From the US, expect approximately $700-1,000 via European or Gulf hubs in shoulder season, rising to $1,200+ in peak periods as of 2026.

Domestic and Safari Flights

Domestic flights are the most practical way to reach remote safari destinations without long drives on rough roads.

Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Masai Mara takes approximately 45 minutes by light aircraft, compared to 5-6 hours by road. Multiple operators (Safarilink, AirKenya) run several flights daily during peak season.

Nairobi to Amboseli takes approximately 40 minutes by air. Nairobi to Lamu (on the coast) takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Nairobi to Mombasa takes approximately 1 hour by air, compared to the SGR train (approximately 5 hours) or driving (8+ hours).

Safari bush flights are typically on small Cessna Caravan or similar aircraft carrying 10-14 passengers. Fares are higher than commercial flights — expect approximately $150-300 one-way to the Masai Mara as of 2026. These flights often land on grass or dirt airstrips within or near the reserves.

Safarilink and AirKenya are the primary operators for safari flights. Kenya Airways and Jambojet handle the Nairobi-Mombasa route with larger aircraft and lower fares (approximately KES 4,000-8,000 one-way, roughly $30-60, as of 2026).

Budget Tips

Fly via the Gulf or Addis Ababa. Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa frequently offer the most competitive fares to Nairobi from both Europe and Asia. The connection adds time but can save significantly compared to direct flights.

Consider Mombasa for beach trips. If your trip focuses on the Kenyan coast (Diani Beach, Watamu, Malindi), flying directly to Mombasa avoids a connecting domestic flight or the long drive from Nairobi.

Use the SGR train instead of flying Nairobi-Mombasa. The Standard Gauge Railway takes approximately 5 hours and costs from KES 1,000 (first class, roughly $8) to KES 3,000 (first class, roughly $23) as of 2026 — far cheaper than flying, and a scenic journey.

Be flexible with safari timing. Visiting the Masai Mara in June or early November (just outside peak migration months) can save 20-30% on both flights and lodge rates, with wildlife still excellent.

Book safari flights early. Bush flights to the Mara have limited capacity (10-14 seats per flight) and sell out during July-October. Booking 2-3 months ahead for peak season is advisable.

Check multi-city fares. If combining Kenya with other East African destinations (Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda), multi-city tickets on Kenya Airways or through alliance partners can be cost-effective compared to booking each leg separately.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Jomo Kenyatta (Nairobi) to city centre: Taxis cost approximately KES 2,000-3,000 (roughly $15-23) for the 30-45 minute drive as of 2026, though traffic can extend this significantly during rush hour. Uber and Bolt both operate from the airport and are generally cheaper (approximately KES 1,200-2,000). The Nairobi Expressway has reduced travel times for routes heading west and north of the city.

Moi International (Mombasa) to city centre/beaches: Taxis to Mombasa city centre cost approximately KES 1,500-2,500 (roughly $12-19) for the 20-minute drive as of 2026. To Diani Beach on the south coast, expect approximately KES 4,000-6,000 including the Likoni Ferry crossing, or arrange a transfer through your hotel.

Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to city centre: Wilson is within the city, approximately 15-20 minutes from the CBD. Taxis cost approximately KES 800-1,500 as of 2026.