When you are traveling to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.
Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.
A Brief Overview of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Kenya, Africa
Situated in Embakasi division at a distance of about 18 km (11 miles) south-east of the Republic of Kenya’s capital city Nairobi in eastern Africa, lies the country’s major airport, which is called Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The airport is named in honor and memory of Kenya’s first prime minister and president Jomo Kenyatta. Erstwhile, the airport was called Embakasi Airport.
IATA: NBO
Address:
Airport North Road
Embakasi, Nairobi
Republic of Kenya
Africa
Airport Contact:(254) 20 822 111
Website: https://www.kaa.go.ke
Operation Hours: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain shops, food concessions, on-site accommodation, and public and private transport services may not offer services throughout day and night. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may vary with the flight schedule. Therefore, it is advised that you check with the airport.
About Airport’s Terminal
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. JKIA’s Terminal 1 consists of five sections, Terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E, respectively. All international departures and arrivals are handled at Terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E, whereas all domestic departures and arrivals are handled at Terminal 1D. On the other hand, Terminal 2 mainly serves low-cost carrier airlines.
Travelers can easily find various amenities, such as information desks, lounges, ATMs, conference rooms for business travelers, newsagent, courtesy telephones, restaurants, restrooms, facilities for handicap passengers, retail shopping outlets, ticket counters, baggage claim, and locker facilities, gift shops, transportation, car park and more at the airport.
On-site and Off-site Parking Options
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options to travelers. Parking is available at the terminals. One can choose from on-site parking options, off-site car parks, and garages that are located in the nearest proximity to the airport. These consist of short-term and long-term parking.
Valet Parking: Valet Parking service is also available at the airport. You also receive complimentary services, such as window cleaning and interior vacuuming, and luggage assistance.
Free parking at the airport is only offered for a limited period.
Airlines Operating from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serves many domestic, international, charter, government, military, and cargo airlines. Airlines that operate short and long-distance flights to and from the airport’s terminals include:
African Express Airways, Air Arabia, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, British Airways, China Southern Airlines, Daallo Airlines, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fly540, Jambojet, Jubba Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, LAM Mozambique Airlines, Lufthansa, Malawian Airlines, Oman Air, Precision Air, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, Saudia, South African Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines and Uganda Airlines.
Facilities and Services Available at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the Republic of Kenya, Africa offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport also offers a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.
Security Check-points
There are security checkpoints at the airport’s terminals. All passengers are required to pass through the security check-points.
Help Desk
When you are at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and need help, there are information desks to assist you. Here, you can enquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. They can be found at the airside and landside of terminals.
Wi-Fi and Device Charging Stations
Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the terminals at the airport, in case you want to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet. Free Wi-Fi internet service is offered with unlimited usage.
In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile and laptop charging power outlets are also available throughout the airport, in case you need to charge your laptop and/or phone’s battery.
Baggage Handling and Storage
Luggage Lockers: Paid locker facilities and luggage storage services are available 24 hours at the airport. A fee can cost around KES 300 ($2.77 USD) per item for an entire day.
Luggage Wrapping: Luggage wrapping services are available at the airport. Bags are wrapped in plastic to protect them from damage and theft. There is a service fee of KES 1000 ($9.23 USD).
Luggage Trolleys/Carts: Luggage carts are available at the airport. These can be found in departures and arrivals areas throughout all terminals.
Porter Services: Porter services are not available at the airport.
There is a Baggage Claim facility available at the airport.
Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.
Lounge and Business Conference Room
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, passengers can use public lounges, VIP lounges, and business conference rooms, which may be available for free or paid in order to access these facilities.
A few lounges and business conference rooms that are available at the airport are:
The Simba Lounge: The lounge is located on the second floor of Terminal 1A.
Pride Lounge: The lounge is located on the second floor of Terminal 1A.
Aspire Lounge: The lounge is located on the airside of Level 1, Terminal 1B. Access to the lounge is through a prepaid lounge pass and lounge membership program.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge: The lounge is located on Level 1 of Terminal 1C.
Turkish Airlines Lounge: The lounge is located on Level 1 of Terminal 1C. Access to the lounge is through a prepaid lounge pass and lounge membership program. Shower facilities are also available.
Mara Lounge: The Lounge is located in the airside of Level 1, Terminal 2. Access to the lounge is through a prepaid lounge pass and lounge membership program.
Mount Kenya Lounge: The lounge is located in the airside of Level 1, Terminal 2. Access to the lounge is through a prepaid lounge pass and lounge membership program.
Stores and Duty Free Shopping
There are plenty of shops that can be easily found throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items, from children’s toys to fashion accessories for adults. You may also buy books, magazines, newspapers, etc., to help pass time during your stopover or flight delay.
Duty-Free stores are also available at the airport that sells all kinds of merchandise, including souvenirs. These are located on Level 1 of Terminal 1B.
Cafe, Bar and Restaurants
Finding snack and beverage options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. These cafeterias and restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. These include Karibu Cafe, Safari Coffee Shop, Kwaheri Snack Bar, The Pub, Kenchic Inn, and many more.
Other Amenities Available at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
There are other amenities that are available to passengers at the airport. These include:
Prayer Room: There is an inter-faith prayer room available at the airport.
Medical Services: First-aid services are available at the airport, in case passengers may require medical attention due to accidents, etc.
Mailing Service: Passengers can post last-minute letters and postcards to their family, relatives, and friends using the airport’s mailboxes. You can find them in the main hall.
Travel Agents: Travel agents and tour operators are available at the airport to assist passengers with tourist information, bookings, and local ground transportation.
ATM: ATMs are available at the airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATMs if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs located at airside and landside areas.
Currency Exchange: The currency used in Kenya is Kenyan Shilling (KES or KSh). Currency exchange facilities are available at the airport.
Banking Services: Banking facilities may be available at NBO airport.
Hotels On-site and Nearby Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Finding accommodation on-site or nearby Jomo Kenyatta International Airport should not be a problem for travelers as there are several hotels and resorts out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find convenient and affordable places for a comfortable stay during your visit to the Republic of Kenya in Africa.
A few hotels that are located on-site as well as near the airport are:
Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport: The hotel is located just ten minutes from the airport. There is also a courtesy shuttle transfer service available.
Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport: The hotel is located less than 15 minutes from the airport. There is a courtesy shuttle transfer service available on request.
Panari: The hotel is located a few kilometers from JKIA. It also offers meeting rooms to business travelers, including other facilities, such as Wi-Fi internet access and more.
Ground Transport Options To and From Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Getting to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.
Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to hotels and/or airports. Free shuttle buses provide travelers with easy connectivity. Also, there may be a few hotels in the city and adjoining areas that provide free or on-demand shuttle services to and from the airport.
Additionally, you may also book pre-arranged rides that offer services to and from the Jomo Kenyatta International airport, and which can also be scheduled as per your needs. You can usually find their kiosks or counters/stands located either at the terminal’s entrance or exit area. These may also contain information on the companies that are permitted to render such services at the airport.
Airport Shuttle Service
NBO airport provides shuttle transfer services to passengers within the airport.
In addition to inter-terminal shuttle services, door-to-door and inter-city shuttles are also available to passengers. The services are operated by several companies or local agencies and are also available on request. You can contact these shuttle service providers from the airport.
Hotel Shuttle Service
Few hotels in the city may offer free or paid shuttle transfer services to their guests. Therefore, it is advised that you contact the hotel for more information with regard to pick-up and drop-off, besides accommodation.
Bus Service
Public bus transportation services are available for the commute. It is both affordable and convenient and can get you to places in no time. Bus 34 services at a frequency of 20 minutes between downtown Nairobi and JKIA from 06:00 till 21:00 hours. A one-way fare can cost around KES 35 ($0.32 USD).
Additionally, minibusses are also available for local transit, including the airport, city center, and popular tourist attractions. Fares may be reasonably low, however, negotiation is still a possibility.
Train and Metro Services
NBO airport is not connected with train and metro transit systems.
Limousine Service
Limousines are available for hire at NBO airport. Rates may depend on the destination you are headed to.
Car Hire Service
You can hire a car at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several companies that offer cars on hire/rent at the airport. The car hire/rental agencies or companies have their counters/stands located on-site.
The companies or agencies that offer car hire/rental services at the airport include Avis, Budget, and Hertz.
Taxi Service
Taxis are available, if you need a ride to a hotel or want to go sightseeing. Taxi stands can be found on-site, outside the arrivals hall. The company that operates licensed taxis to and from JKIA is Kentico. Fares can be negotiated as their taxis are not equipped with a meter.
A word of caution. Travelers are advised to avoid private taxis from unauthorized persons as chances of robbery are extremely high and fatal.
App-Based Ride Sharing Service
Aside from several transport options that are available to travelers from and to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, app-based ride-sharing services may also be offered.
Conclusion
The city of Nairobi offers many places of interest to both national and foreign tourists. A few such attractions include the Nairobi National Park, Nairobi National Museum, Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Karuna Forest, Ngong Hills, Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum, Great Rift Valley, Railway Museum, Nairobi Safari Walk, Bomas of Kenya, Kazuri Beads Factory and many more.
Although the region’s official language is Swahili, English is also spoken extensively. So, verbal communication should not be a problem here for foreign tourists.
Traveling to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the Republic of Kenya, Africa, will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And, if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find lots of attractions to enjoy your holidays.
