Getting To and Around Nanyuki: Airport, Railway & Road
How to Get to Nanyuki: Transport Overview
Nanyuki is accessible from Nairobi via three main transport modes: a three- to four-hour drive along the paved A2 highway (roughly 190–200 kilometres), a weekly scheduled passenger service on the Nanyuki Safari Train (about 7.5 to 8 hours), or a 30- to 45-minute commercial flight into Nanyuki Airport from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Once in town, local mobility runs through boda-bodas, town taxis, matatus, and car rentals for those heading further out to the conservancies.
Which route makes sense depends on budget, timing, and where you’re headed next. The A2 highway offers the most flexibility for travellers continuing on to nearby conservancies. Air service suits time-pressed itineraries. The railway is the slower, more deliberate option — a scenic route through the Central Highlands rather than the fastest way to get there.
By Road: The A2 Highway and Matatu Services
Driving from Nairobi via the A2 Highway
The A2 highway — part of the Great North Road corridor that continues north through Isiolo to Marsabit — is the primary route connecting Nairobi to Nanyuki, covering roughly 190 to 200 kilometres through the central highlands, including Thika. Under normal traffic conditions, the drive takes 3 to 4 hours.
The highway is fully paved and carries heavy passenger and freight traffic, so expect variable congestion on the Nairobi–Thika dual carriageway section and slower going near agricultural transport closer to the mountain towns. A secondary paved link, the B22 road, connects Nanyuki westward to Rumuruti — Laikipia County’s current administrative headquarters.
Public Road Transport: Matatus and Express Shuttles
Public road transport between Nairobi and Nanyuki runs throughout the day, departing from designated terminals in Nairobi’s CBD.
Express shuttles, such as the Nanyuki Express Shuttle, run 14-seater vans direct to Nanyuki, departing once full. One-way fares run around KES 800 (confirm current rate before travel).
Standard matatus cover the same route, with fares ranging from KES 1,000 to KES 1,800 (confirm current rate before travel), depending on vehicle type and demand.
By Rail: The Nanyuki Safari Train
Schedule and Timetable
The metre-gauge railway line to Nanyuki, completed in 1930/1931, carries a passenger service run by Kenya Railways under the name “Nanyuki Safari Train.” It operates on a fixed weekly schedule — one round trip only:
- Outbound (Nairobi → Nanyuki): Departs Nairobi Railway Station every Friday at 9:00am, arriving in Nanyuki at approximately 4:49pm.
- Inbound (Nanyuki → Nairobi): Departs Nanyuki every Sunday at 9:00am, arriving in Nairobi at approximately 4:46pm.
Total travel time runs about 7.5 to 8 hours — considerably slower than driving, but a genuinely scenic route through the Central Highlands that avoids highway traffic entirely.
Fares and Service Classes
- First Class: KSh 1,000 one-way (confirm current rate before travel) — cushioned, reclinable seating with extra legroom.
- Economy Class: KSh 400 one-way (confirm current rate before travel) — standard bench-style seating.
Tickets are available at terminal stations or through Kenya Railways’ official booking channels.
En-Route Stops and Freight Role
The train stops at several stations along the way, including Makadara, Dandora, Mwiki, Githurai, Kahawa, Ruiru, Thika, Mitubiri, Makuyu, Maragua, Murang’a, Sagana, Karatina, Kiganjo, and Naro Moru.
Beyond passengers, the line also functions as an agricultural supply corridor — specialised wagons move livestock for the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) to Athi River, alongside horticultural cargo from the region’s farms.
Proposed Future Rail Extensions
Regional spatial planning documents outline proposed extensions from Nanyuki north to Isiolo (70km), northwest to Doldol/Kimanjo (80km), and west toward Rumuruti (~80km). These remain at the planning and feasibility-study stage only — there is no active service on any of these routes today.
By Air: Nanyuki Airport and Regional Airstrips
Commercial Flights to Nanyuki Airport
Nanyuki Airport (IATA: NYK, ICAO: HKNY) is the town’s civilian aviation hub, sitting roughly 8 to 9.5 kilometres south of the town centre. Scheduled flights connect it to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (WIL) via Airkenya Express and Fly-SAX, with a flight time of 30 to 45 minutes.
One-way fares generally run USD 200 to USD 300 (confirm current rate before travel), varying by season and how far in advance you book. Baggage is capped at a strict 15kg per passenger on these light-aircraft services — pack accordingly.
Airport Infrastructure and Ground Transfers
The airport has a single 1,200-metre asphalt runway. On arrival, ground transport is available directly outside the terminal — private airport taxis into town typically run KES 500 to KES 1,000 (confirm current rate before travel). Many safari lodges and tour operators also arrange direct airfield pickups for arriving guests.
Distinguishing Laikipia Air Base
Don’t confuse Nanyuki Airport with Laikipia Air Base, a separate military installation nearby (elevation 1,865m, 4,000-metre runway) operated by the Kenya Defence Forces and home to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) headquarters. It is closed to civilian and charter traffic entirely.
Getting Around Nanyuki Town and the Surrounding Region
Town Road Conditions
Roughly 60% of roads within Nanyuki’s Central Business District are tarmacked and manageable in a standard two-wheel-drive car. Peri-urban and rural feeder roads are largely unpaved murram, and can become rutted or slippery during the rainy seasons (long rains March–May, short rains October–December) — higher-clearance vehicles are worth considering for rural or conservancy-adjacent travel during those months.
Local Transit Options
Boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) handle most short trips within town, typically KES 100 to KES 300 (confirm current rate before travel). Fares aren’t metered — agree the price before setting off.
Town taxis operate from informal stands around the town centre; asking at your hotel for a recommended driver is common practice, since ride-hailing app coverage in Nanyuki is inconsistent.
Car rentals and safari vehicles: for trips to Ol Pejeta Conservancy (about 17km south) or the Mount Kenya trailheads at Sirimon and Burguret, a 4WD vehicle is recommended. Both self-drive and chauffeur-driven options are available from local operators in town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Nanyuki from Nairobi, and how long does the drive take? Roughly 190 to 200 kilometres via the paved A2 highway, taking 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic.
Does the train to Nanyuki run every day? No — the Nanyuki Safari Train runs one round trip a week: out from Nairobi on Friday morning, back from Nanyuki on Sunday morning.
Can you fly directly to Nanyuki from Nairobi? Yes. Scheduled flights connect Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki Airport in 30 to 45 minutes.
What’s the best way to get around Nanyuki town itself? Boda-bodas and town taxis handle short trips within the CBD well. For conservancy or mountain-route travel outside the paved centre, a 4WD rental is the better choice.
Is the road from Nairobi to Nanyuki fully paved? Yes — the entire A2 route from Nairobi to Nanyuki is paved and manageable in a standard two-wheel-drive vehicle.
