JKIA: A Complete Guide to Arriving at Nairobi's International Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport — JKIA — is Kenya's main international gateway and one of East Africa's busiest airports. For most visitors to Nairobi, it is the first experience of Kenya, and how smoothly you navigate it sets the tone for everything that follows. This guide covers everything you need to know about arriving at JKIA: immigration, money, transport, and how to get to Karen without spending two hours in Nairobi traffic.

About JKIA

JKIA is located approximately 18 kilometres southeast of Nairobi's city centre, and approximately 25 kilometres from Karen on the Southern Bypass route. The airport handles flights from across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with direct services operated by Kenya Airways, Emirates, KLM, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, and several other carriers.

The airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1A and 1B for international arrivals and departures, and Terminal 2 for domestic and some regional services. Most long-haul international visitors arrive at Terminal 1. The airport has been significantly upgraded in recent years and is generally well-organised, though it can become congested during peak arrival windows, particularly in the evenings when multiple long-haul flights arrive in close succession.

Before You Land: eTA and Entry Requirements

Kenya introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system in 2023, replacing the previous visa-on-arrival process for most nationalities. The eTA must be applied for and approved online before you travel — you cannot apply at the airport.

The process is straightforward: apply at the official Kenya eTA portal, upload the required documents (passport data page, photo, onward travel evidence, accommodation confirmation), pay the fee, and wait for approval. Processing typically takes 24 to 72 hours, though it is advisable to apply at least a week before travel to allow time for any queries or resubmissions.

East African Community citizens (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC, Somalia) and several other nationalities have different entry arrangements — check the current requirements for your specific passport before applying. Kenyan citizens and holders of valid Kenyan residence permits do not require an eTA.

Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Have this available at immigration.

Immigration at JKIA

Immigration queues at JKIA vary significantly depending on when you arrive. The busiest periods are typically between 8pm and midnight when multiple long-haul evening arrivals converge. Early morning arrivals (before 7am) and midday arrivals tend to move through faster.

Have the following ready before joining the immigration queue:

• Your passport, open to the photo page
• Your eTA approval confirmation (printed or on your phone)
• Your accommodation address in Kenya (Karen Plains Hotel, Karen, Nairobi)
• Your return or onward ticket details
• Yellow fever certificate if required for your nationality

The immigration officers may ask about the purpose of your visit, your accommodation, and your planned length of stay. Answer directly and specifically. Most arrivals clear immigration in 20 to 45 minutes, though this can extend to 90 minutes during peak periods.

Baggage Claim and Customs

Baggage claim is straightforward at JKIA. Screens in the arrivals hall display which carousel each flight's bags are arriving on. The time from landing to bags on the carousel is typically 20 to 40 minutes.

Customs at JKIA operates on a red/green channel system. The green channel is for passengers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for those with goods to declare, including items above duty-free limits, commercial goods, or restricted items. Duty-free allowances include 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, 200 cigarettes, and goods up to USD 500 in value.

Note that bringing drone equipment into Kenya requires advance permission from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). If you are travelling with a drone for safari photography, ensure you have the necessary permits before arrival.

Money: Currency Exchange and ATMs at JKIA

The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the local currency. There are ATMs in the arrivals hall at JKIA that dispense Kenyan Shillings — these generally offer better exchange rates than the bureau de change counters, which are also available in arrivals. Withdrawing from an ATM with your international debit card is the recommended approach for getting local currency on arrival.

Notify your bank before travel that you will be making international withdrawals in Kenya — many banks block overseas transactions without advance notification. Most Nairobi hotels, restaurants, and larger retailers accept Visa and Mastercard, but having some Kenyan Shillings for smaller transactions, tips, and market purchases is useful throughout your trip.

M-Pesa, Kenya's mobile money system, is widely used for everyday transactions in Nairobi. Most visitors on short stays do not need M-Pesa access, but those staying for several weeks will find a local SIM with M-Pesa registration significantly more convenient for daily life.

SIM Cards at JKIA

Safaricom, Kenya's dominant mobile network, has a presence in the JKIA arrivals hall. A Safaricom SIM card costs a few hundred shillings and can be loaded with a data bundle on the spot. You will need your passport for registration. Safaricom's 4G network covers Nairobi comprehensively and provides fast, reliable mobile data throughout your stay.

Buying a SIM at JKIA on arrival is recommended for any visit longer than a few days. Mobile data is significantly cheaper than international roaming, and having a local number makes it easier to communicate with drivers, hotels, and guides throughout your trip.

Getting from JKIA to Karen

Karen is approximately 25 kilometres from JKIA via the Southern Bypass — a route that avoids the city centre entirely and connects the airport directly to Ngong Road and the Karen area. Under normal traffic conditions, the journey takes 45 to 60 minutes. During peak hours (7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm on weekdays), allow up to 90 minutes.

Your main options for getting from JKIA to Karen are:

Karen Plains Hotel Airport Transfer

Karen Plains Hotel offers airport transfer directly from JKIA arrivals. Your driver will be waiting at the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. This is the most straightforward option for first-time visitors or those arriving late at night — no need to navigate the taxi ranks or wait for an Uber to locate you in the busy arrivals area. Book your JKIA airport transfer here or WhatsApp us on +254 796 989 928 when you book your room.

Uber and Bolt

Both Uber and Bolt operate at JKIA and are reliable options for the journey to Karen. Request your ride once you have collected your bags and cleared customs — the apps typically show a 5 to 15 minute wait at the airport. Fares from JKIA to Karen range from KES 1,200 to KES 2,500 depending on traffic conditions and demand. Follow the in-app directions to the designated pickup zone outside arrivals.

Licensed Airport Taxis

Licensed airport taxis are available at fixed rates from the taxi desk in the arrivals hall. Rates to Karen are typically KES 2,500 to KES 4,000. Always use the official taxi desk rather than accepting offers from unlicensed drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.

Read our full guide on how to get from JKIA to Karen, Nairobi for a detailed comparison of all your arrival transport options including timings, costs, and recommendations for different arrival scenarios.

Facilities at JKIA Arrivals

The JKIA arrivals hall has the following facilities worth knowing about:

• ATMs — multiple machines in the arrivals hall, Kenyan Shillings only
• Bureau de change — available but rates are less favourable than ATMs
• Safaricom desk — for SIM card purchase and registration
• Luggage trolleys — available in the baggage claim area, free of charge
• Porter services — available, tip expected of KES 200 to 500
• Information desk — staffed and generally helpful for basic questions
• Coffee and light refreshments — available in the arrivals area for those waiting or needing a coffee before their onward journey

Connecting to Wilson Airport for Safari

If you are connecting from JKIA to Wilson Airport for a Masai Mara safari flight, the transfer between the two airports takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes in normal traffic. Wilson Airport is in Langata, just south of Karen — 10 minutes from Karen Plains Hotel.

Most safari itineraries build in at least one overnight in Nairobi between JKIA arrival and Wilson Airport departure, which allows for a rested transfer rather than a rushed same-day connection. Karen Plains Hotel is the ideal base for this overnight — close to both airports, with the team available to coordinate both transfers. Read our guide on why your first night in Nairobi matters for the full picture.

Book Your First Nairobi Night at Karen Plains Hotel

Karen Plains Hotel in Karen, Nairobi is 45 to 60 minutes from JKIA via the Southern Bypass. We offer comfortable boutique rooms with daily breakfast, fast fibre wifi, 24-hour electricity backup, and airport transfer coordinated directly with your flight arrival. The team is available on WhatsApp at any hour for guests arriving on late international services.

Book your JKIA arrival night here or WhatsApp us on +254 796 989 928. Also read our first-timer's guide to Nairobi for a broader introduction to the city before you arrive.