Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Nairobi, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
East Africa's busiest and most connected international gateway.
- ›Named after Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's founding president and first head of state.
- ›A fire in August 2013 destroyed part of the international arrivals terminal, temporarily disrupting operations.
- ›It is the busiest airport in East Africa by passenger numbers and international connections.
- ›The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 1,624 metres (5,327 feet) above sea level.
- ›Kenya Airways' hub status makes NBO a major transit point between Africa and the rest of the world.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, named after Kenya's founding president, has served as East Africa's principal aviation hub since the 1970s. Located approximately 15 kilometres southeast of Nairobi's city centre, it handles the bulk of Kenya's international passenger and cargo traffic. The airport is a critical transit point for flights linking Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Terminal 1A — Handles international departures for most full-service carriers including Kenya Airways.
- Terminal 1B — Serves additional international flights and overflow international traffic.
- Terminal 1C — Used primarily for regional and select international airline operations.
- Terminal 2 — Dedicated to domestic flights connecting Nairobi to Kenya's regional airports.
- Taxi services available at designated ranks outside arrivals — use authorised operators only
- Uber and Bolt ride-hailing apps operate widely from the airport
- Nairobi Commuter Rail connects the airport area to the city centre via Syokimau Station
- Kenya Airways shuttle buses run between the airport and city hotels
- Car rental counters from Europcar, Budget, and local firms are available in the arrivals hall
- Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport
- Eka Hotel Nairobi
- Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport
- Holiday Inn Nairobi
- Airport View Hotel
Inside the airport, travellers will find cafés, fast-food outlets, and sit-down restaurants spread across the departure lounges, with options ranging from Kenyan local cuisine to international fare. The Kenya Airways Simba Lounge offers premium dining for eligible passengers. Outside the airport perimeter, the Syokimau and South B neighbourhoods have a range of local restaurants and eateries at more affordable prices.
- Arrive at least three hours before international departures as security and immigration queues can be lengthy.
- Only use taxis from the authorised rank or pre-booked ride-hailing apps to avoid overcharging.
- Kenyan shillings are preferred for small purchases; currency exchange counters are available in the arrivals hall.
- Keep your yellow fever vaccination certificate accessible — Kenya requires proof of vaccination for travellers arriving from endemic countries.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is an international airport serving Nairobi, the capital and largest city of Kenya. It is located in the Embakasi suburb, approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) southeast of Nairobi city centre. The airport has scheduled flights to destinations in over 50 countries. Originally named Embakasi Airport, the airport's name was changed in 1978 to honour Jomo Kenyatta, who was Kenya's first president and Prime Minister. The airport served over 9 million passengers and over 364,000 tonnes of cargo in 2024, making it the sixth busiest airport in passenger traffic in Africa. It is the busiest out of the four international airports in Kenya, the other three international airports being Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport and Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
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