Cheap flight deals from Nairobi to Mombasa

Overview: An air ticket from Nairobi to Mombasa covers a flight of about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes to Moi International Airport, with departures throughout the day from both Jomo Kenyatta International (JKIA) and Wilson Airport. Kenya Airways and Jambojet fly from JKIA, while Safarilink and Skyward Airlines fly from Wilson. Fares change daily, so search your dates for live fares in Kenyan shillings. To book, call +971 4 556 1000 or email kenya.care@travelwings.com.

Route: NBO or WIL to MBA · Distance: about 440 km · Flight time: around 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes · Airlines: Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Safarilink, Skyward Airlines

This is one of Kenya's busiest domestic air routes, and the one where flying makes the clearest case for itself, replacing a road trip of 7 to 9 hours. Many travellers who fly Nairobi to Mombasa do so every few months, and the route carries business travellers, families heading for the coast, holidaymakers bound for Diani, Nyali and Malindi, and travellers connecting to international flights. This guide covers the airlines, the two Nairobi airports, baggage, the flight time and what to expect when you land.

Which Airlines Are Flying from Nairobi to Mombasa?

Four airlines operate the route, split between Nairobi's two airports:

Swipe to see the full table

Schedules, aircraft and frequencies change by season, so confirm the departure airport and timings on your booking before you travel.

Which Nairobi Airport Should You Fly From?

This is the detail that most often goes wrong on this route, because the two airports are on different sides of the city.

• Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO): about 18 km east of the city centre, used by Kenya Airways and Jambojet, and the one you need if your Mombasa flight connects to an international service.
• Wilson Airport (WIL): about 5 km south of the centre, off Langata Road, used by Safarilink and Skyward Airlines. There is no single terminal: each airline has its own building, check-in counters and waiting area.
• Wilson's current hours: after a 6-month runway closure, Wilson's main runway reopened on 29 July 2026 for daytime operations only, from 06:30 to 18:30.
• Travel between them: crossing Nairobi between the two airports can take an hour or more, so check your departure airport before you book.

How Long Is the Nairobi to Mombasa Flight?

The non-stop flight covers about 440 km in around 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, with turboprop services from Wilson at the longer end of that range. Departures run from early morning to evening, so if your plans change there is usually another flight within a few hours, although that flexibility narrows sharply in December, at Easter and during the August school holidays.

What Baggage Can You Take?

On this route, the aircraft on your ticket decides the baggage rules, so check them before you pack:

• Full-service jet fares from JKIA: usually include one checked bag, with a separate cabin bag on top.
• Low-cost fares from JKIA: include a cabin bag, with checked baggage bought separately, which is cheaper online than at the airport.
• Turboprops from Wilson: allowances are lower, at around 15 kg, rising to 20 kg on coast routes, and the figure usually includes your hand baggage.
• Soft bags only: Wilson operators ask for soft bags within set dimensions, as hard cases do not fit the smaller holds.

What Does Your Fare Include?

• Included: a confirmed seat, hand baggage within the airline's limits, and airport taxes and charges shown in the total before you pay.
• Depends on the fare: checked baggage, which is included on full-service fares and sold separately on low-cost ones.
• Not included: excess baggage, advance seat selection on most fares, airport transfers and travel insurance.

How Can You Find Cheap Flights from Nairobi to Mombasa?

• Book the holidays early: the December, Easter and August school holiday periods are the busiest times to fly to the coast.
• Avoid the weekend rush: flights to the coast on Fridays and back to Nairobi on Sundays are the busiest of the week.
• Compare both airports: JKIA and Wilson flights can differ on the same day, and one may suit your starting point better.
• Price in your bags: a low-cost fare plus checked luggage can cost more than a fare that includes it, which matters for a beach holiday.
• Check midday and midweek flights: they are often quieter than the early morning and late afternoon business departures.

What Should You Know Before You Fly?

• Timing at JKIA: allow around 90 minutes for a domestic departure, and more at peak times.
• Timing at Wilson: airlines publish a check-in deadline of around 60 minutes, and at least one operator reserves the right to depart up to 15 minutes early, so do not arrive late.
• Identity documents: carry your national ID or passport, as you will need it at check-in.
• Restricted items: smaller aircraft have stricter rules on what can go in the cabin, so check your airline's list before you pack.
• Connecting flights: if your Mombasa flight connects with an international departure at JKIA, book both on one ticket where possible, so the airline protects the connection.

What Happens When You Land at Moi International?

Moi International Airport is at Port Reitz on the mainland, about 16 km from Mombasa town, and domestic flights use Terminal 2. Taxis and ride-hailing services operate from the terminal, and most coastal hotels arrange transfers if asked in advance. Mombasa town itself sits on an island, so the journey into the Old Town crosses the water by causeway.

If you are heading for the south coast at Diani, the Likoni ferry links Mombasa island with the mainland around the clock, but queues can be long at peak hours. Diani also has its own airstrip at Ukunda, and some Wilson operators fly there directly, which is worth comparing if Diani is your final stop.

Should You Fly, Drive or Take the Train?

• Flying: about an hour in the air, which returns most of a day to you in each direction.
• Driving: 7 to 9 hours on a busy highway with heavy freight traffic, and more with stops or roadworks. Once fuel, tolls and an overnight stop are counted, driving is often closer to the airfare than it first appears.
• The train: the Madaraka Express on the standard gauge railway is a comfortable middle option of around 5 to 6 hours depending on the service, running to a fixed timetable.

When Should You Fly to Mombasa?

• December to March: the driest and sunniest months on the coast, and the busiest for flights and hotels.
• July to October: warm, dry and slightly cooler, with a good balance of weather and availability.
• April to June: the long rains, with quieter flights and hotels, and showers that are usually short rather than all-day.
• November: the short rains, generally lighter, before the December surge.

What Is There to Do in Mombasa?

Mombasa is Kenya's second city and one of its oldest towns, and it rewards a day away from the beach. Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, anchors the Old Town, where Swahili, Arab, Indian and Portuguese influences meet in the architecture and the food. The north coast at Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu is closer to the airport, while the south coast at Diani offers wide beaches and a quieter atmosphere. Haller Park, a former quarry turned wildlife sanctuary, and the marine national parks for snorkelling and diving round out a coastal stay.

Which Other Domestic Routes Might You Need?

Mombasa is one of several Kenyan cities where flying replaces a long drive. Kisumu, on the shore of Lake Victoria, is the natural comparison in western Kenya, served by many of the same airlines from both Nairobi airports, and flights from Nairobi to Kisumu take under an hour.

Eldoret is the other western route worth knowing, serving the North Rift and Kenya's athletics heartland, with turboprop flights from JKIA. Airlines and timings are set out for flights from Nairobi to Eldoret.

Before you book any domestic flight, it is worth checking current promotions, and live offers across airlines and routes are gathered in the cheap flight deals from Kenya section.

What About Flights Back to Nairobi?

The same four airlines fly the return from Mombasa to Nairobi, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International or Wilson depending on the airline. If you are connecting to an international flight, fly back into JKIA and book both flights on one ticket where possible, so your bags are checked through and the connection is protected. Remember that Wilson operates in daylight hours only, so evening returns land at JKIA.

Moi International is about 16 km from Mombasa town, and the drive can be slow at peak times, so leave the Old Town or the south coast in good time, especially if you need to cross on the Likoni ferry first. Sunday evenings, early January and the end of each school holiday are the busiest times to fly back, so book the return together with your outbound flight.

How Do You Book a Flight from Nairobi to Mombasa?

To book a flight from Nairobi to Mombasa, enter your dates in the search panel above, compare the results by airline, departure airport, timing and baggage, and book online, with the full amount shown in Kenyan shillings before you pay. Airline tickets from Nairobi to Mombasa are confirmed by email once payment is complete. To speak to someone first, call +971 4 556 1000 or email kenya.care@travelwings.com.

Disclaimer: Fares, schedules, airlines, aircraft, airports and baggage allowances are set by the operating airlines and can change without notice. Flight times are scheduled durations and vary on the day. Airport operating hours and check-in deadlines are set by the airport and airlines, so confirm current details before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions: Flights from Nairobi to Mombasa

1. How long is the flight from Nairobi to Mombasa?

About 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, with turboprop flights from Wilson at the longer end.

2. Which airlines fly the route?

Kenya Airways and Jambojet fly from Jomo Kenyatta International, while Safarilink and Skyward Airlines fly from Wilson Airport.

3. Which Nairobi airport should I use?

Use Jomo Kenyatta International if you are connecting to an international flight, and compare Wilson if you live in the south of Nairobi or are travelling light.

4. How do I find a cheap air ticket to Mombasa?

Book early for December, Easter and the school holidays, avoid Friday and Sunday peaks where you can, and compare fares with baggage priced in.

5. How much baggage can I take?

It depends on the aircraft. Full-service jet fares usually include a checked bag, low-cost fares sell it separately, and Wilson turboprops allow around 15 to 20 kg including hand baggage, in soft bags.

6. Can I fly to Mombasa and back in a day?

Yes. With departures from early morning to evening, a same-day return is realistic for business trips.

7. How far is Moi International from Mombasa town?

About 16 km, at Port Reitz on the mainland. Domestic flights arrive at Terminal 2.

8. Is Wilson Airport open at night?

Since 29 July 2026, Wilson's main runway has operated in daylight hours only, from 06:30 to 18:30.

9. Can I fly straight to Diani?

Some Wilson operators fly to the Ukunda airstrip at Diani, which avoids the Likoni ferry crossing from Mombasa.

10. How do I book my ticket?

Search and book online in Kenyan shillings, or call +971 4 556 1000 or email kenya.care@travelwings.com for help.