Travel & Transport

Domestic flights, road transfers, rail, and ferry — everything you need to move around Kenya with confidence.

Coast routes

Kenya's coast is served by a mix of scheduled flights from Wilson Airport and JKIA, plus smaller charter connections between coastal destinations. Flying is the most comfortable option — the road from Nairobi to the coast takes 8–10 hours.

Airlines and prices shown alongside are a sample — availability and fares change seasonally. We'll help you find and book the right flight for your itinerary.

Nairobi → Diani Beach

Wilson Airport → Ukunda Airstrip

$80–$150 one way
Flight Time
50–60 min
Departures
Multiple daily
Airstrip
Ukunda (5 min from Diani)

The quickest way to Diani. Ukunda Airstrip puts you right on the doorstep of the beach — most resorts are within 10 minutes. Fly into Mombasa (MBA) if you want a slightly larger aircraft and more flight options, though the transfer to Diani then takes 60–90 minutes.

Nairobi → Lamu

Wilson Airport → Manda Airport

$100–$180 one way
Flight Time
80–90 min
Departures
Daily
Transfer
Short boat ride to Lamu Island

Flights land on Manda Island — a short motorboat ride from Lamu Island and Shela village. The boat transfer is part of the experience. No cars on Lamu, so you're met at the jetty and walked or taken by donkey to your accommodation.

Nairobi → Watamu / Malindi

Wilson Airport → Malindi Airport

$90–$160 one way
Flight Time
60–75 min
Departures
Daily
Transfer
30 min Malindi → Watamu

Fly into Malindi then transfer by road to Watamu (30 min). Malindi also has direct road connections to Lamu (2.5 hrs) making it a useful hub for northern coastal itineraries. Some charters land directly at Watamu's small private airstrip.

Diani → Lamu (Coast Hop)

Ukunda Airstrip → Manda Airport

$80–$140 one way
Flight Time
60–75 min
Routing
Via Nairobi or direct
Best For
Multi-stop coast itineraries

Moving between coastal destinations without returning to Nairobi. Direct Diani–Lamu flights exist on some schedules — otherwise route via Nairobi Wilson (with a short transfer). Great for honeymooners doing a Diani + Lamu combination.

Coast flight tips
  • Lamu has no cars — you are met at the jetty with your bags and escorted on foot or by donkey
  • For Diani, fly into Ukunda (not Mombasa) — it saves 60–90 minutes of road transfer
  • Coast flights also have 15kg (33lbs) soft bag limits on small aircraft
  • Book morning flights to maximise your first day at the beach
  • December and January are the busiest months — book far ahead
Book your coast flights

Diani, Lamu, Malindi — we handle the hop to the beach

Ukunda airstrip, Manda Island, and Malindi connections — we book the right airport, time your morning departures, and keep soft-bag limits in mind for your coastal start.

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