My journey on the SGR Kenya train from Nairobi to Mombasa

Kenya has always been one of my favorite countries to travel to and during my visit this time I was able to fully experience their famous SGR Kenya train also known as the Kenya Standard Gauge Railway. Kenya is a destination that is close to my heart so documenting my time in this beautiful country is something that I absolutely love. I feel connected to the people of Kenya, full of smiles and friendly. I also love the bio-diversity of the country. 

So my journey on the SGR train started in Tigoni which is a lush suburb just a few kilometers from Nairobi City. I left Tigoni early in the morning at 6:00 am, my lovely Kenyan friend Alice dropped me off at the Nairobi Terminus where the SGR train departs. I was using the train to head for my beach vacation at Swahili Beach Resort in Diani, Kenya. 

SGR train from Nairobi to Mombasa

So on arrival at SGR Nairobi Terminus, I bid farewell to my friend Alice and then started my journey to Mombasa. This was a solo vacation so I was excited to be taking Kenya’s SGR train on my own. The Nairobi terminus is very busy as a number of people are heading towards the departure area, families rushing towards the check points, friends bidding farewell to each other and security maintaining order at the terminus. 

Arrival at the Nairobi terminus

The Nairobi Terminus is an interesting experience for a traveler as it introduces you to how the locals go about their day. I headed to the first security check point where my bags were scanned by security and then headed to the printing ticket station. When using the SGR Kenya, you have to arrive earlier than your departure time so that you print out your ticket, if the train you booked is setting off at 8:00 am, you have to make sure that you have printed your ticket by 7:30 am. 

Security check point at SGR Nairobi terminus

I printed my ticket at the station and then headed to the waiting lounge. The lounge was of course filled with people waiting to board the train and the lounge had restaurants where someone would pick a meal or a cup of coffee. 

Shortly after, they announced boarding so I started heading towards the train. The train station is busy at this time so I had to be fast in walking towards the train considering I had booked an economy train ticket so there is no bus to transport you to the train. Thankfully, the distance between the waiting lounge and the train is very short. 

Once I got to the train, one of the staff members directed me to my seat so I settled in and waited for take off. The train set off at exactly 8:00 am and we started the journey to Mombasa. 

Photo of me inside the SGR train. Photo taken by a Kenyan woman that was seated next to me throughout the journey 

The SGR Kenya train ride is an interesting ride which I highly recommend for any traveler visiting Kenya, it offers you a unique experience and introduces you to the Kenyan countryside. 

The train ride was through the countryside, I got a window seat so the ride was clearer for me and introduced me to the outside world. I saw the different small towns of Kenya, the local’s gardens, giant baobab trees and enjoyed scenic views of the countryside. 

Photo of the countryside taken while on the train

The SGR Kenya also goes through Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. This was my highlight of the train ride, we saw Elephants, Zebras and bird life while riding through the national parks. For most people, this is the best part about the SGR Kenya train, the ability to look out for wildlife while riding through the national parks. It is so cool to be on a train that goes through a national park. The vast savanna plains of Tsavo, the hills with the deep blue sky in the horizon was a perfect scenic view. 

Photo of Tsavo East National Park that I took while on the SGR train

The SGR Kenya economy class is comfortable with areas to store luggage, a table and seats that are just enough for a comfortable ride. Travelers are also free to book the SGR first class which is much better than economy class, the seats are private, have more leg room and there is access to a separate first class lounge. 

The train also has a staff member with a mobile cart that sells snacks, tea and coffee. Since it was a 5 hour ride, in the middle of the journey, I ordered myself a cup of coffee from the mobile cart. I liked the idea of a mobile cart because that means in case you get hungry during the train ride you can order something quick to eat. 

The train ride was interesting for me because we stopped along the way to drop off and pick other passengers since I had booked an inter-county train. So we stopped at stations along the way, these included Mali station, Masenyi station, Voi station and Mariakani station. If at all you don’t want stop overs along the way, you can then book the express train which has no stop overs. 

Stop over at Mariakani station

The SGR Nairobi to Mombasa train takes about 6 hours so we arrived at the SGR Mombasa terminus at about 2:00 pm. The arrangement of the Mombasa terminus is very similar to the Nairobi terminus – waiting lounge, restaurants, large parking areas and wash rooms. On arrival, I stopped by the wash room then headed to their parking area where I got a cab to take me to my hotel. It was a beautiful sunny day in Mombasa, a bit hot but I was in vacation mood so the weather was perfect for me. I then crossed over to the other side of coastal kenya using the Likoni Ferry and looked forward to enjoying my beach vacation in Diani Kenya. 

I overall loved my experience on the SGR Kenya and I would definitely use the train again. It just offers an immersive travel experience from Nairobi to Mombasa. 

Arrival at Mombasa terminus

Commonly asked questions about the SGR Kenya train 

How long is the journey from Nairobi terminus to Mombasa terminus?

The journey depends on the train you have booked. If you booked an inter-county train like the one I used, the journey will take you 6 hours (this includes stop overs along the way). If you book an express train, the journey will take 4.5 hours. 

How do I book an SGR train ticket?

You can book an SGR train ticket online via the SGR Kenya official booking platform. Here you will find the different class types and the cost per person for a ticket. You can also book and pay using your MPESA by activating the USSD code for payments. Please always book in advance as the train tickets sell out especially during high season months. 

What time should I arrive at the train station?

You should arrive at the station preferably one hour before departure. This will give you enough time to get past the check points and also print your ticket in time before departure. 

Is the SGR Kenya train comfortable?

Yes, the train is comfortable however if you want extra comfort , I would recommend booking a first class ticket. 

What is the SGR Kenya cost?

The SGR first class price is KES 3,200 while the SGR economy class is KES 1,500. These prices are subject to change so it’s always advisable to check the official booking website to confirm prices at the time of booking.