Nairobi to Mombasa is Kenya’s flagship domestic route and the fastest way to swap the highlands for the coast — a non-stop hop of about an hour versus a long day on the road or rail. Three airlines fly it daily, fares are some of the cheapest in the country, and this guide covers who flies it, what a fair price looks like in Kenyan shillings, and when to book.
Route: Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO) → Mombasa Moi International (MBA)
Distance: approximately 440 km (275 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h – 1h 15m
Direct flights: Yes — Kenya Airways, Jambojet and Skyward Express all fly non-stop, many times a day between them.
Fares from Nairobi to Mombasa (KES)
As a busy domestic route with three carriers competing, Nairobi–Mombasa is genuinely cheap most of the year. Fares spike around the December–January holidays and the August school break when the whole country heads to the beach, and drop to their lowest during the long rains in April and May. The figures below are typical economy return fares in Kenyan shillings.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high (early Jan) |
| February | — | medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | low (long rains) |
| May | — | low |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (school holidays) |
| August | — | medium-high |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this is the flattest market we track: every single fare is KSh 13,189 — the same price across August, September, October, November, December and January departures. So the "good return" band of roughly KSh 13,000–15,000 is right, but there is no cheaper fare to hunt for and no seasonal dip: waiting for something under KSh 12,000 will not work, because it is not on sale. Book on the dates that suit you. December and the August break are the busiest times to travel even though the fare we can see does not move.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1 hour):
- Jambojet — Kenya Airways’ low-cost arm and usually the highest-frequency operator, with the cheapest headline fares; expect to pay separately for checked bags.
- Kenya Airways — the full-service national carrier, with several daily flights and checked baggage included on standard fares.
- Skyward Express — a Kenyan regional airline that often posts the lowest one-way prices of all three; smaller aircraft, fewer daily frequencies.
There’s no need to connect — every flight on this route is non-stop. The choice comes down to schedule, baggage needs and whichever of the three has the lowest fare on your dates.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 weeks ahead for the best fares; domestic prices on this route climb steeply in the final week.
- Compare all three carriers — Jambojet, Kenya Airways and Skyward Express leapfrog each other on price, so the cheapest one changes by the day.
- Fly midweek: Wednesday is typically the cheapest day, while Friday and Sunday carry the weekend premium.
- Avoid the peaks — the December–early January holidays and the August school break are the priciest and busiest times to reach the coast.
- Watch the bag fees: Jambojet and Skyward often sell hand-baggage-only fares, so if you’re checking a bag, add it in and re-compare against Kenya Airways’ all-in price.
Arriving in Mombasa
Flights land at Moi International Airport (MBA) in the Port Reitz area, about 9 km west of Mombasa Island and the city centre — roughly a 15–25 minute drive depending on traffic. A metered airport taxi into town costs about KSh 2,700–KSh 3,500, while a ride-hailing app is usually a little cheaper at around KSh 2,000–KSh 2,800. For the south-coast beaches (Diani), factor in the Likoni ferry crossing and extra time.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Mombasa?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. All three airlines — Jambojet, Kenya Airways and Skyward Express — fly it direct, so it’s a quick hop compared with the six-hour-plus SGR train or the long drive down the highway.
Are there direct flights from Nairobi to Mombasa?
Yes. Kenya Airways, Jambojet and Skyward Express all operate non-stop flights between Nairobi (NBO) and Mombasa (MBA), many times a day between them. Every scheduled flight on this route is direct — there’s no need to connect.
How much does it cost to fly from Nairobi to Mombasa?
It’s one of Kenya’s cheapest routes, and remarkably uniform: every return fare we can currently find is KSh 13,189, unchanged across six different departure months. One-way fares start lower. The December holidays and the August school break are the busiest times to travel; April to June are the quietest.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Nairobi to Mombasa?
April, May and June are usually the quietest, during the long-rains low season. On price, though, this route barely has a cheapest month: the return fare sat at KSh 13,189 across every departure month we could price, from August through January. December, early January and August still bring the heaviest coast-bound holiday demand.
Which airlines fly from Nairobi to Mombasa?
Three carriers fly it non-stop: Jambojet (the highest-frequency budget option), Kenya Airways (full-service, bags included) and Skyward Express (often the lowest one-way price). Because they compete hard, the cheapest airline changes frequently, so it’s always worth checking all three.
Which airport do I fly into in Mombasa?
All flights use Moi International Airport (MBA), about 9 km west of Mombasa city centre. A taxi into town takes 15–25 minutes and costs roughly KSh 2,700–KSh 3,500. For the popular Diani beaches on the south coast, allow extra time for the Likoni ferry.
How far in advance should I book Nairobi to Mombasa flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Domestic fares on this route are cheap early but rise sharply in the final week, and much earlier around the December and August peaks, so booking ahead reliably beats last-minute prices.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Yes — Wednesday is typically the cheapest day to fly this route, while Friday and Sunday carry a weekend premium as holidaymakers travel to and from the coast. Flying midweek and comparing all three airlines can easily save several thousand shillings on a return.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
