Moi International Airport (MBA) is Kenya’s second-busiest airport, handling flights to and from the coast. It sits on the south side of Mombasa Island - the same side as the Likoni Ferry terminal - which makes it the natural arrival gateway for Diani Beach, Watamu, and the entire south and north coast. This guide covers every onward route from MBA, including the Dongo Kundu Bypass (the newer route south that avoids the Likoni Ferry entirely) and the Ukunda Airstrip option for Diani-bound arrivals.
Mombasa Airport (MBA) Overview
Location: South side of Mombasa Island, approximately 9km from the CBD and 1km from the Likoni Ferry terminal.
Airlines: Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Skyward Express, and Air Arabia operate domestic routes. Charter flights operate from several European cities during the October–April high season (particularly from the UK, Germany, and Italy to Mombasa Moi and sometimes directly to Ukunda).
Terminals: One passenger terminal handling arrivals and departures. It is small and functional - immigration, baggage, and customs complete in 20–30 minutes on most arrivals.
Facilities:
- ATMs: Available in the arrivals hall (Equity Bank and KCB). Withdraw KES on arrival.
- Safaricom SIM counter: Near the arrivals exit. Buy and register a SIM here before leaving the airport.
- Forex desk: Available but rates are 3–5% worse than city-centre offices. Take enough for transfers and tips.
- Taxis: Licensed taxis wait outside the arrivals exit. Negotiate fare before entering - meters are not commonly used.
- Bolt/Uber: Both apps are active in Mombasa. Request from the arrivals exit zone.
MBA to Diani Beach (36km south)
Diani is the main destination for coast arrivals, and the route involves crossing from Mombasa Island to the south mainland. There are now two ways to do this.
Route 1: Dongo Kundu Bypass (Recommended for Pre-Booked Transfers)
The Dongo Kundu Southern Bypass is a toll road that connects the south side of Mombasa Island to the south mainland via a bridge and causeway, bypassing the Likoni Ferry entirely. It opened progressively and most vehicle traffic - including pre-booked private transfers - now uses this route.
Why it is better for airport transfers:
- No ferry queue (Likoni can have 20–40 minute vehicle queues during morning and evening peaks and on Fridays)
- Fully sealed road, faster overall journey
- Toll approximately KES 200–300 (usually included in a pre-booked transfer fare)
Direct MBA to Diani via Dongo Kundu:
- Taxi: approximately KES 3,500–5,500, 45–60 minutes
- Pre-booked private transfer: fixed price, driver meets you at arrivals, uses Dongo Kundu
For a pre-booked transfer with a confirmed price and an English-speaking driver who tracks your flight, Welcome Pickups covers Mombasa Airport routes to Diani, city hotels, and all coastal destinations. You can also compare quotes from multiple drivers via Kenya airport transfers.
Route 2: Likoni Ferry Route (Budget/Pedestrian Option)
If you are travelling light and on a budget, the Likoni Ferry route is still perfectly viable for foot passengers.
- Airport to Likoni Ferry terminal: Taxi approximately KES 600–800, 10 minutes. The ferry terminal is close to the airport.
- Likoni Ferry: Free for pedestrians. Runs frequently from approximately 5am to midnight (reduced after midnight). Crossing takes 10–15 minutes. You walk on and off - no reservation required.
- Ferry to Diani Beach:
- Shared matatu (KES 100–150): Depart from the south side of the ferry terminal, destination Ukunda. Journey approximately 30–40 minutes. Then boda-boda or taxi to your hotel.
- Taxi from south Likoni: KES 1,500–2,500 to most Diani hotels.
Total Likoni route cost: Approximately KES 1,000–3,500 depending on how you do the final leg. Total time: Approximately 1–1.5 hours.
Note: If you arrive during peak periods (Friday afternoon, Sunday evening, public holiday weekends), vehicle queues at Likoni can be very long. As a pedestrian, you bypass the vehicle queue entirely - the pedestrian crossing is fast.
MBA to Mombasa City Centre
The city centre is the shortest transfer from the airport - the airport’s south-island location puts it close to the CBD.
Bolt/Uber: KES 600–1,200, 15–25 minutes. Licensed taxi: KES 1,000–1,500, negotiate before entering. Tuk-tuk: Available near the airport for short hops (KES 200–400 to the nearest CBD streets - not recommended for luggage).
Search hotels in Mombasa on Booking.com
For Old Town, Fort Jesus, and the Nyali area, all are within 20–35 minutes by Bolt or taxi from MBA. See our Mombasa city guide for what to do once you arrive.
MBA to North Coast (Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu)
The north coast beaches - Nyali, Bamburi, and Shanzu - are on the opposite side of Mombasa Island from the airport, so transfers involve crossing the island via the Mombasa Bridge or the new northern route.
Taxi to Nyali Beach: KES 1,500–2,500, 25–40 minutes. Taxi to Bamburi/Shanzu: KES 2,000–3,000, 30–45 minutes.
Traffic through central Mombasa can be slow during morning peak (7–9am) and evening peak (5–8pm). If you are arriving at these times heading to the north coast, allow an extra 20–30 minutes.
MBA to Watamu and Malindi (North)
Watamu is 105km north of Mombasa. Malindi is 115km north.
Private taxi from MBA: KES 6,000–10,000 to Watamu, KES 7,000–12,000 to Malindi. Journey approximately 1.5–2 hours on the Malindi road. This is the most convenient option if you are heading directly to your Watamu or Malindi hotel.
Budget option: From Mombasa bus terminal (30 minutes from MBA by Bolt/taxi), regular buses and matatus run north to Malindi (KES 400–700, 2–3 hours). Change at Watamu junction or Malindi town.
For Watamu arrivals, some lodges and resorts offer direct collection from MBA - worth asking your accommodation when booking.
Ukunda Airstrip - Direct to Diani Beach
If Diani Beach is your destination, Ukunda Airstrip (IATA: UKA) is worth considering instead of Mombasa Airport. Ukunda sits 3km from the main Diani Beach road and 1km from the beach hotel strip - transfers to most Diani hotels take under 15 minutes.
Flights to Ukunda:
- Safarilink and AirKenya operate scheduled services from Nairobi Wilson Airport (approximately 45 minutes). Return fares from approximately KES 8,000–15,000 one way (as of 2026).
- Charter operators also fly to Ukunda from Nairobi Wilson and from some lodge airstrips.
Transfer from Ukunda to Diani hotels: Taxi approximately KES 500–1,000. Most hotels collect guests directly from Ukunda.
The trade-off: Ukunda flights are more expensive than the Nairobi–Mombasa route and the aircraft are smaller (Cessna Caravan class, 12 seats). But the time saving is significant - no Mombasa Airport queue, no Likoni Ferry, no long taxi south. For a direct beach holiday, Ukunda is the most efficient routing.
Note: Ukunda Airstrip has basic facilities only (a small terminal, no ATM). Ensure you have KES in cash for the taxi before landing.
Pre-Booking Your Transfer
For coast arrivals - particularly late-night or first-trip - pre-booking removes the uncertainty of negotiating fares at the airport.
Welcome Pickups offers private transfers from Mombasa Airport with a fixed price, flight tracking, and an English-speaking driver. Particularly useful for Diani-bound travellers as the driver will use the Dongo Kundu Bypass for the fastest route.
Kenya airport transfers lets you book a Kiwitaxi transfer in advance for any MBA route - to Diani, city hotels, Watamu, or Malindi - with a confirmed fare before you land.
Practical Information at MBA
Money: Withdraw KES from the Equity Bank ATM in arrivals. Most taxis and boda-bodas are cash-only.
SIM card: Register a Safaricom SIM at the counter in arrivals (passport required). A starter pack with a data bundle costs approximately KES 500–1,000.
Luggage storage: Not formally available at MBA. Ask your hotel if they can arrange late-day storage.
Tuk-tuks and boda-bodas: Available outside the terminal but not recommended for luggage or airport runs in the dark. Use Bolt, a licensed taxi, or a pre-booked transfer.
Getting Around the Coast
Renting a car in Kenya is a practical choice if you plan to explore beyond Diani - Shimba Hills, Chale Island, and the south coast stretch all benefit from having your own wheels. Most car hire operators in Mombasa city offer airport collections.
For the full overview of Kenya airport arrivals (including Nairobi JKIA), see our Kenya airport transfers guide. Heading to Diani? Our Diani Beach guide covers the beach, water sports, and accommodation. For the Mombasa city arrival, see our Mombasa city guide. For context on flying versus the Nairobi–Mombasa train, see our flights to Kenya guide.
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