Here is everything you need to know about the Nairobi to Kisumu Safari Train. On December 17, 2021, the long-awaited Nairobi-Kisumu safari train resumed its operations after being suspended 10 years ago due to the poor state of the old metre-gauge railway (MGR). The rehabilitated train has an ultra-modern look. It boasts comfortable seats and coaches to allow you to relax as you marvel at the scenery throughout the journey.
The Kisumu Night train makes stops at Kibera, Kikuyu, Longonot, Nakuru, Elburgon, Molo, Mau Summit, Londiani, Kipkelion, Fort Ternan, Muhoroni, Chemelil, and Miwani before arriving at the New Kisumu Train Station. Other stations along the line include Dagoretti, Limuru, Uplands, Kijabe, Suswa, Naivasha, GilGil, Mbaruk, Nakuru Junction, Njoro, Turi, Kedowa, Tunnel, Koru, and Kibos.
Nairobi-Kisumu Train: All You Need To Know
The lakeside city of Kisumu is just a train ride away. The overnight train gets you there before sunrise so you can have an early start. The Kisumu Safari train makes the trip from Nairobi every Friday with stopovers in Naivasha, Nakuru, Njoro, Molo, Elburgon, Fort Ternan, Londiani, Muhoroni, Miwani, Chemelil, Kibigori and Kibos stations to drop and pick up passengers.
The train departs at 6:30 pm and arrives in Kisumu at 6:30 am. The return trip is set for every Sunday, with the train departing the New Kisumu Railway station at 6:30 pm to arrive in Nairobi at 6:30 am. There are also midweek safari train services to Kisumu. These operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays, supplementing the regular Friday and Sunday train schedules.
The midweek train departing from Nairobi to Kisumu leaves Nairobi Central Railway Station every Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Similarly, passengers travelling from Kisumu to Nairobi can board the midweek train departing from Kisumu Station every Thursday at 6:30 pm. Between Nairobi and Kisumu are 18 stations, such as Njoro and Molo stations, 46 bridges and 27 viaducts.
Nairobi-Kisumu Train Schedule
The journey is 12 hours long, but there are several stops along the way. During the stop, commuters have the opportunity to disembark and stretch for a few minutes before they continue with their journey. Here are the departure and arrival times for the safari train.
Nairobi to Kisumu via Nakuru Train Schedule
Nairobi to Nakuru
- Departure: 06:30 PM (Friday)
- Arrival: 11:22 PM (Friday)
- Fare: Kshs 450
Nakuru to Kisumu
- Departure: 11:40 PM (Friday)
- Arrival: 06:30 AM (Saturday)
- Fare: Kshs 600
Kisumu to Nairobi via Nakuru Train Schedule
Kisumu to Nakuru
- Departure: 06:30 PM (Sunday)
- Arrival: 01: 36 AM (Monday)
- Fare: Kshs 600
Nakuru to Nairobi
- Departure: 01:56 AM (Monday)
- Arrival: 06:35 AM (Monday)
- Fare: Kshs 450
Nairobi-Kisumu Safari Train Fares
The safari train has economy and business classes. When fully booked, the train can carry up to 212 passengers. You will be required to pay Kshs 2400 for the first class and Kshs 900 for the economy class.
Attractive benefits to first-class passengers include access to Wi-Fi, charging ports for phones and laptops, refreshments, and spacious closets for luggage storage, as opposed to the economy-class couches, which have limited privileges. In addition, the train has an affordable restaurant where passengers can purchase meals during the long 12-hour journey. The restaurant is open 24/7.
The fare chart for other destinations along the route is as follows:
- Nairobi to Nakuru: Kshs 450
- Nakuru to Kisumu: Kshs 600
How can you book a train from Nairobi to Kisumu?
Train booking is done physically by visiting any train station in Nairobi, Kisumu, or Nakuru, where you will be handed a ticket after paying for the train, indicating your travel time, and getting assigned your coach from there. The tickets will be checked during the trip too to ensure everyone is in the right coach.
NOTE: Do not lose your ticket; otherwise, you will pay again at the station you are alighting at.
You can also book earlier by calling the Kenya Railways customer service desk on 0115 169759 or 0115 102558 for guidance on how you can purchase a train ticket before your trip.
Nairobi-Kisumu Train Online Booking
No, this option is not yet rolled out by Kenya Railways. Online train booking in Kenya is currently limited to the SGR Madaraka Express from Nairobi to Mombasa and inter-county trains operating between Nairobi Terminus, Voi, Miaseny, Kibwezi, Emali, Athi River, Mariakani, and Mombasa Terminus.
Nanyuki Safari Train Contacts
Phone: 0115169759 or 0115102558
Email Address: info@krc.co.ke
Nairobi-Kisumu Safari Train FAQs
1. How long does it take to travel by train to Kisumu?
The train departs Nairobi Central Station and arrives at New Kisumu Station at 1745 hrs.
2. Which classes are on offer aboard the Kisumu Safari train and what is the cost?
- There is first-class and economy-class service. A first-class ticket costs Ksh. 2,400 and an economy-class ticket costs Ksh. 900.
- From Nairobi to Nakuru/Nakuru to Nairobi, a first-class ticket costs Ksh. 960 and an economy-class ticket costs Ksh 450.
- From Nakuru to Kisumu/Kisumu to Nakuru, a first-class ticket costs Ksh. 1,560 and an economy-class ticket costs Ksh. 600.
3. Will you offer catering services onboard the train to Kisumu once operations begin?
The Railway Training Institute (Catering Division) offers onboard catering services.
4. How can one apply for jobs in the organisation?
Whenever we have openings, the Human Resource Department places advertisements in the Newspapers and the Kenya Railways website inviting eligible applicants to apply for the job positions
5. What is the frequency of the Kisumu Safari train?
The train goes from Nairobi to Kisumu every Friday and makes the return trip from Kisumu to Nairobi every Sunday. The train departs both ends at 0600 hrs. Passengers should report one hour before departure for an easy check-in and boarding experience.
6. What type of goods are transported by freight trains to Kisumu?
Apart from ferrying passengers, there are freight trains that operate on this route. The types of goods that are transported on this route include:
- Containerised goods
- Petroleum Products
- Live animals, e.g., cattle, farms, and animal produce
7. How can one book a ticket for travel aboard the Kisumu Safari train?
Tickets are on sale at the Nairobi Central Station, the Nakuru Railway Station and the New Kisumu Railway Station.
8. Which other stations lie along the Nairobi-Kisumu route?
We have nineteen stations along the Nairobi-Kisumu corridor.
- Nairobi Central Railway Station
- Kibera Railway Station
- Dagoretti Railway Station
- Kikuyu Railway Station
- Limuru Railway Station
- Upland Railway Station
- Longonot Railway Station
- Naivasha Railway Station
- Gilgil Railway Station
- Nakuru Railway Station
- Njoro Railway Station
- Elburgon Railway Station
- Molo Railway Station
- Londiani Railway Station
- Kipkelion Railway Station
- Koru Railway Station
- Muhoroni Railway Station
- Chemilil Railway Station
- Kibigori Railway Station
- Miwani Railway Station
- Kisumu Railway Station
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I like the content…the departure time from nrb is okay but a lie on arrival time….I rem I used it on 24th when no vehicles were on board…..we had so many stops and arrived in Kisumu at 0945Hrs…but it was along hectic and enjoyable trip to dala…they should make the seats comfy for the buttocks…tulifika Kisumu makalio ikiwaka moto