Madaraka Express SGR train from Nairobi to Mombasa Latest

SWVL Buses

Madaraka Express SGR train services between Nairobi and Mombasa.

After a long wait, the Standard Gauge Railway Project Kenya is complete. The Madaraka Express SGR trains are now in operation. The distance between Nairobi and Mombasa is now reduced from 15 hours to only 4 hours 30 Minutes.

Madaraka Express may not be the most magical experience compared to the former overnight train, but it is still enjoyable and the journey is scenic.
You can now travel from Nairobi to Mombasa or from Mombasa to Nairobi using the New SGR Train (Madaraka Express).

Train from Nairobi to Mombasa

Old Train from Nairobi to Mombasa

Madaraka Express timings and ticket purchase points

For those traveling to Mombasa from Nairobi, you can now catch the Madaraka Express train at the Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau. The train leaves daily at 08:00 am and arrives in Mombasa at 1:55 pm. The afternoon train leaves Nairobi at 14:20 and arrives in Mombasa at 19:20 pm.

Those traveling to Nairobi from Mombasa, you can now catch the Madaraka Express train at the Mombasa Terminus in the Miritini area of Mombasa county. The train leaves Mombasa at 07:15 am and arrives in Nairobi at 1:05 pm. The afternoon train leaves Mombasa at 15:15 pm and arrives in Nairobi at 20:20 pm.

As at the time of writing this post, there is a bus connection service for travelers in both towns (Nairobi Central railway station and the old Mombasa Railway station on Miji Kenda Street. (There is a commuter train to and from Nairobi station to Syokimau Station. At Miritini station in Mombasa, there are buses, taxis, and matatus that take you to and from the city. The matatus to the train station are boarded at the old railway station and charge Kshs 200).

Kenya Railways is availing a train to transport travelers arriving at the Nairobi terminus from Mombasa aboard the Madaraka Express train at 1:30 pm to the Nairobi Central railway station.

Book your stay in Mombasa

There is also a train at Nairobi Central railway station (in CBD) to transport travelers to the Nairobi terminus to board the 08:00 am Madaraka Express train to Mombasa. It leaves the station at 6:00 am.

Madaraka Express Train Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau

Madaraka Express SGR train services in Kenya.

Here is a summary of the fare rates, schedule, and facts about the New SGR Train in Kenya (Madaraka Express).

The Madaraka Express train service between Nairobi and Mombasa is currently operational with two trains leaving Mombasa SGR Terminus and another two leaving Nairobi SGR Terminus daily.

Schedule for Madaraka Express SGR  train Between Nairobi and Mombasa

Schedule for Madaraka Express train(Afternoon)

Mombasa to Nairobi (E1)

Departure: 15:15 pm
Arrival: 20:20 pm

Nairobi to Mombasa (E2)

Departure: 14:20 pm
Arrival: 19:15 pm

Schedule for SGR Inter-County train(Morning)

Mombasa to Nairobi (N1)

Departure: 07:15 am
Arrival: 13:05 pm

Nairobi to Mombasa (N2)

Departure: 08:00 am
Arrival: 13:55 pm

Fare rates and train tickets.

There are three ways to book Madaraka Express and the Intercounty trains. With all the ways, travelers can either pay via Mpesa or by cash. This is a disadvantage for travelers who are traveling from abroad and do not have Safaricom Simcard which has Mpesa.

How to book SGR Madaraka Express Train Tickets. (Local Travelers)

How to book SGR Madaraka Express Train Tickets. (International Travelers)

  • Ask your host or hotel in Nairobi to book the tickets for you.
  • Use Kenyan Backpacker SGR train service (Contact me to learn more).

A booking of up to seven days before the date of travel is highly recommended – booking windows are open about 30 days in advance.

Update: You can now book the tickets 60 Days in Advance (As From June 01, 2019)

Train ticket rates for adults:

Economy Class: Kshs 1,000 ($11)

First Class: Kshs 3,000 ($31)

Train ticket rates for Children:

Less than 3 years: free of charge
Age 3-11 years: half price.
Above 11 years: full price.

Madaraka express train Stops, Luggage allowance, and other facts

At the moment the Madaraka Express train is only stopping at Mtito Andei Intermediate station. There will be other stops as indicated in the train chart pictured below.

Maximum luggage per passenger: 30 Kg and below – Luggage should not measure more than 1.6 meters in width, height, and breadth.

Maximum speed: 120 km/h

Transit time: 5 hours and 20 minutes

Number of seats per train: 1,200

Action item:

If you need more information about the train or you need someone to book Madaraka Express SGR Train advance tickets for you before you travel, contact the Kenyan Backpacker.

Note: You need to book the SGR tickets in advance (7 days before travel day). You can also get return tickets in advance also 7 days before travel day.

Update: You can now book the tickets 60 Days in Advance (As From June 01, 2019)

Madaraka Express Train Mombasa Terminus

Useful links

Location of SGR Nairobi Terminal train Station

Location of SGR Mombasa Terminal train Station

Madaraka Express advance train tickets.  

New Train Schedule ( Express and County)




kenyanbackpacker

30 Comments

Vivian

Can i use the 6am sgr fron nrb cbd to syokimau to reach on time for 8am mombasa sgr?

Reply
Grace

Can one pack their vehicle at the station and if so how much is it per day?

Reply
vigelyne atsalika

can the train drop me at mariakani instead of going upto mombasa

Reply
kenyanbackpacker

Hey, Yes. The morning train (Inter-county) stops at Mariakani Station (ARRIVAL Time: 01:49 PM)

Reply
Nairobi – Monkeysmovingx.it

[…] –Come organizzare i trasferimenti interni da/verso Nairobi?Le distanze sono spesso grandi e le strade poco agevoli, pertanto tempi lunghi e comfort non sono caratteristici degli spostamenti via terra.Per andare da Nairobi verso l’area del Masai Mara (e viceversa) in auto, occorrono 5/6 ore, qualcosa in più se con matatu o taxi collettivi.Per muoversi verso la costa, si può valutare l’auto se si intende visitare i parchi dell’est in modalità itinerante, spezzando il viaggio con diverse tappe in giorni differenti, poichè le distanze sono davvero ampie.L’alternativa migliore sono i voli interni, che in un’ora collegano la capitale ai maggiori aeroporti della costa, Mombasa e Malindi in particolare.Diverse compagnie low-cost e non disponibili, tutte con prezzi abbastanza competitivi: Kenya Airways è forse la migliore, Jambojet, Fly540, Silverstoneair, Hanh Air, Skyward Express.Verificare bene le condizioni delle tariffe e quali servizi sono compresi o a pagamento come restrizione bagagli, politiche di modifica o cancellazione: i voli spesso sono su aerei ad elica da 30-50 posti, con servizio base a terra ed in volo.E’ possibile prenotare direttamente dai siti ufficiali delle compagnie senza alcun problema e in modo totalmente trasparente.Importante è verificare l’aeroporto di riferimento a Nairobi, in quanto molte piccole compagnie si appoggiano su Nairobi Wilson, l’altro piccolo aeroporto cittadino utilizzato principalmente per voli regionali.*Tratta Nairobi-Malindi con Kenya Airways: volo serale in ritardo di circa 30 minuti, poi sostituito con altro volo di compagnia affiliata (Jambojet). Aereo ad eliche Bombardier Q400 da 70 posti circa, volo abbastanza soft.*Tratta Malindi-Nairobi con Fly540: volo mattutino in anticipo di 20 minuti, piacevole e veloce fino alla fase di atterraggio caratterizzata da vuoti d’aria e turbolenza. Aereo ad eliche Bombardier DHC-8-102 da 40 posti circa.Ulteriore alternativa può essere la ferrovia Madaraka Express SGR, nel collegamento Mombasa-Nairobi, disponibile due volte al giorno per tratta: circa 5 ore per 800km, prezzi da 8 a 25€ per adulto (in base alla classe), metà prezzo per bambini 3-11 anni, max 30kg di bagaglio. Sicuramente una soluzione più economica ed una esperienza di viaggio.Per acquistare i biglietti: biglietterie stazioni, portafoglio telefonico (per residenti), sito ufficiale, o con l’aiuto dell’hotel/ospitante su suolo kenyota (fonte informazioni Kenyabackpacker.com). […]

Reply
Vittorio

Hi.
How is the mobile phone internet coverage during the trip on the train?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Vitto

Reply
Caroline

Hello…. we are planning a trip in February 2019. Our flights back to the UK are at midnight, do you think the train is reliable enough for us to plan to take the 15.15 Mombasa train arriving 20.20 into Nairobi and then transfer to the airport?
Your experience of the trains reliability would be welcome. Thanks

Reply
Tony Mochama

Absolutely Caroline
The SGR trains run on China time – or bang on time like clockwork.
Cheers.

Gladys

Hello, would it be possible for me to be picked at makadara railway station in the morning by the commuter train to catch up the 8:00 am train?

Reply
Agnes

Can one spend the night at the sgr station to avoid morning hours rush that could lead to lateness during departure time?

Reply
richmond

I’m Richmond booked for Sunday first class can i change to economy class the organization require me to use economy class

Reply
DOREEN NZAUMI MUNGUTI

hello,
is there a station at Kibwezi, and what is the ticket from Nairobi to Kibwezi

Reply
David

Is there a commuter train from Nairobi to duplicate for the express 2.30 Sgr? When does it depart?

Reply
Bakhita

Hey,what time should i be there before the train actually takes off? For luggage purposes and check inn?

Reply
Antony Majani Ogallo

I have booked my journey for tommorow 14:20 hours a but I’ve not received the confirmation text indicating the couch and seat number…..?? Now 30 minutes ago

Lynn

Are there shuttle buses from Mombasa railway station yo the SGR miritini terminus for the afternoon train bound for Nairobi?

Reply
judy

hello,
booked a ticket and I can see I picked the wrong time
unfortunatel cant see any way nor link of how to cancel.
no contacts offer here are going through.
Please advice

Reply
carlmax rapemo

I had booked a train leaving on 4th but unfortunately the on to which the message was sent was stolen how may you help me on this

Reply
kenyanbackpacker

Sorry About that. I think what you should do is go to the station early morning and explain your case. Make sure you go early with your ID and the phone number you used to book. They will hopefully help you.

Reply
prisca bett

hi would like to book for 24th Dec. to Mombasa and back on 27th from Mombasa. 2 adults and 2 children (between 7-11 years) first class. kindly advise if available.

Reply
kenyanbackpacker

Hi Prisca, Use *639# from your Safaricom line to book the tickets (14 days before travel date). The other option is to go to the station or send someone with Names and travel documents of the passengers( 14 days before travel). You can go on a Saturday or Sunday if you are busy. They are open from 7 am to 4 Pm

Reply
mary nyambura

have tried booking today morning 9:40 am supposed to travel on 9th
l dialled this*639# l gave the name and my id no. hw long does it take to make payments need to kow plz pz.

Reply
Stella

Hi, I have a big problem, the mpesa system is not receiving payments.
I’m trying to pay for 2 pple on 9th Dec to Msa rom Nai, the delay is too big and i’m scared of loosing my space.
Kindly help here

Reply
kenyanbackpacker

Try again a couple of times. And if you have time, go and get the tickets at the station. Remember to carry the ID’s of the passengers!

Reply
Diana

I have booked two adults and an infant Nairobi to Mombasa on 28.2.2019. There is no provision for booking the infant even though they travel free. I hope there won’t be a problem for the adults to board with the baby

Samuel

Hello, I would wish to book for two seats on Friday 9th/8/19 from Mombasa to Nairobi? Morning or Friday?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.