The Standard Gauge Railway Madaraka Express cuts the Nairobi-Mombasa journey from 10 hours by road to under 5 hours by train. Here is everything you need to know to book and travel in 2026.
SGR Ticket Prices in 2026
| Class | Nairobi – Mombasa | Nairobi – Voi | Voi–Mombasa |
| Economy Class | KSh 1,000 | KSh 600 | KSh 600 |
| First Class | KSh 3,000 | KSh 1,800 | KSh 1,500 |
Prices are subject to periodic review by Kenya Railways. Always confirm current prices when booking at metickets.co.ke.
SGR Departure Schedule 2026
| Train | Nairobi Departure | Mombasa Arrival | Mombasa Departure | Nairobi Arrival |
| Morning train | 8:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 8:00 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Afternoon train | 3:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 7:30 PM |
There are two trains daily in each direction. During peak holiday seasons — Easter, August, December — trains sell out days in advance. Book early.
How to Book SGR Tickets Online in 2026
- Go to metickets.co.ke
- Select your journey: Nairobi to Mombasa or reverse
- Choose your date and class
- Enter passenger details including National ID numbers
- Pay via M-PESA, Visa or Mastercard
- Your ticket is sent to your email and phone as a PDF
- At the station, show your ticket on your phone or print it
Economy Class vs First Class — Which Is Worth It
| Feature | Economy Class | First Class |
| Seat | Reclining seat, 3-2 layout | Wide reclining seat, 2-2 layout |
| Meals | Not included | Meal included |
| Legroom | Standard | Extra legroom |
| Price difference | KSh 1,000 | KSh 3,000 |
| Worth it for | Short trips, solo travel | Families, long trips, comfort |
What to Expect on the SGR Journey
- Check in at least 30 minutes before departure — gates close 15 minutes before
- Nairobi terminus is at Syokimau, not Nairobi Central — factor in travel time
- Mombasa terminus is at Miritini, about 10km from Mombasa CBD
- Food and drinks are available on board from the dining car
- Luggage limit is 20kg in economy and 30kg in first class
- The journey passes through Tsavo — you may spot wildlife from your window
Getting to and from the Stations
Both Syokimau and Miritini stations are outside the city centres. Plan for taxis, matatus or bodabodas to complete your journey. At Syokimau, SGR buses connect to Nairobi CBD for a small fee.
SGR Nairobi to Kisumu Extension — Latest Update 2026
The planned SGR extension from Nairobi to Kisumu and Malaba is still in the planning and financing stage. The 466.8 billion project has faced delays but the government confirmed it remains a priority in 2026. No confirmed construction start date has been announced yet.
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