Access to the SGR Nairobi Terminus From CBD Simplified

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The introduction of the Standard Gauge Railway from Nairobi to Mombasa was a great idea for the average traveler who uses this route. However, the challenge lies in finding access to the SGR Nairobi terminus in time.

It used to take 10 hours to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa. In case of an accident on the road, the hours would be more. Night travel was the main way to get to Mombasa when you have duties to fulfill during the day. At times it would require you to look for accommodation as you may not get transport to travel back in time.

Now the SGR train moves from Nairobi to Mombasa twice a day taking fewer hours than the buses but at the same speed. A train schedule revision was done recently resulting in a morning train and an afternoon train for great convenience. This new schedule also came with simplified access to the SGR Nairobi Terminus from the Central Business District (CBD) also known as Nairobi City.

2022 SGR Train Schedule

The year 2021 saw the introduction of a night train despite the covid curfew. This night train has gained popularity in 2022 and is now one of the 3 ways to travel via SGR.

Hence, the 2022 schedule has three scheduled trains leaving the stations per day. The morning intercounty train stops at 7 stations. The afternoon express train and an additional night express train. All other health and safety measures must be observed like wearing masks, cleaning hands regularly, maintaining social distancing, etc.

SGR Train Schedule

The SGR Train Schedule.

The project was ideally implemented to make traveling to the Coast easier and faster, hence was dubbed the Madaraka Express. It takes fewer hours than road travel at the same cost. However, Nairobi and Mombasa lie in different counties with various major towns that could also utilize this train. A second train to serve these counties was introduced dubbed the Intercounty train. There are 7 well-built stations where the intercounty train stops.

Recently, Kenya Railways introduced a new train schedule that will allow maximum use of the train. This ensures the people living near this train get to benefit from it.

EVERYTHING ON JUMIA

The new schedule sees the Intercounty train leaving Nairobi at 8.00 am. It is expected to stop in all 7 stations for a maximum of 3 minutes for passengers to alight and board. This train hence takes 6 hours to go through all these stations arriving at its final destination at 2.00 pm. The Mombasa train leaves the station at 8.00 am, making all the stops, and arrives in Nairobi at 2.10 pm.

The Madaraka Express, on the other hand, does not make any stops at any of the stations. The express train leaves Nairobi at 3.00 pm arriving in Mombasa at 8.08 pm. While the Mombasa train leaves at 3.00 pm arriving in Nairobi at 8.08 pm. This express train takes 5 hrs to reach its final destination.

The night express train leaves Nairobi at 10.00 pm and arrives in Mombasa at 3.35 am while another train leaves Mombasa at 10.00 pm and arrives at 3.35 am respectively.

Accessing the Train Terminus

The SGR regulations require one to be at the terminus one hour before departure. Especially if you have not printed your ticket. There is also the process of security checks that take place before one board the train. The Kenya Railways has put this into consideration. They have organized a train that leaves the City Center railways terminus to the Syokimau terminus in good time.

Considering the distance of the Nairobi terminus from the city and the heavy traffic that it always witnessed on the road. It is more viable to access the SGR Syokimau train terminus through the City Center railways station. Board the Syokimau train that leaves the station at exactly 6.30 am. The ride takes 45 minutes with a stop-over at the Madaraka Station and the Imara Daima station for more people to board.

Access to the Sgr Nairobi terminus

This is the most convenient way to access the SGR train. But if you are late for the 6.30 am train, your next best option is a taxi as there are no direct matatus to the station. Be hopeful to make it before 7.30 am when the gate closes while beating the Mombasa road traffic.

When boarding the afternoon express train that leaves Nairobi at 3.00 pm. You can catch the afternoon Syokimau train from the city that departs at 12.00 pm arriving at the terminus 45 minutes later.

The fare for this train is only Kshs 100 if boarding from the CBD terminus and Kshs 50 if boarding from Madaraka and Imara Daima terminus.

Access to the SGR Nairobi Terminus

SGR Train Booking and Price

The SGR train has two sections; the First Class Section and the Economy Class Section.

The First Class section cost Kshs 3000 per head while the Second Class section cost Kshs 1000. Children below 3 years get in free while those between 3-11 years pay half price.

The major difference between the First Class and the Second Class section will be the number of people sitting per row. First-class has only 4 people while the Second class sits five per row facing each other. The seats are also very different.  The first class is very comfy as compared to the Second Class seats.

Other than that, food and drinks are sold in both sections at the same price. Drinks range from Kshs 100 which include bottled water, soda, tea, coffee, juice, and canned beer. Snacks range from Kshs 100 which include Mandazi, cake, Beef or Chicken sandwiches, crisps, and nuts.

Booking of tickets can be done online 30 days prior to travel. This is subject to the availability of the seats with payment being made via Mpesa. It can also be done via the phone using the USSD code *639# with payment through Mpesa.

You can also visit the Train Terminus physically to make your booking for groups. If booked online, you need to be at the station early to print out your ticket. A valid National ID or Passport is needed when making the booking. The document used to book must be produced upon request at the station before boarding the train.

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Point to Note:

No form of weapons, penknives, explosives, or alcohol is allowed on the train. Valid checks are done to ensure no one carries any at the time of boarding. The only alcohol consumed is the one bought inside the train.

The train station closes its gates 15 minutes before the train leaves. Anyone who comes after the gate is closed is locked out. At the Nairobi terminus, there are Boda Boda riders who offer to chase the train to the Athi River when one is locked out. Unless it’s very urgent, I would not recommend using these riders as they charge the same amount as buying a new train ticket.

If taking the morning train, carry something that will make you comfortable and keep you entertained throughout the journey as 6 hours is a long time. Make sure you carry some food or have money to buy some snacks. They don’t give a chance for one to go look for food outside the train even during its many stopovers.

Access to the Sgr Nairobi Terminus

Once at the Mombasa terminus, their various matatus plying different routes depending on where you are going with prices ranging from Kshs 100. There are also taxis and tuk-tuks if you need your own ride. There are tour vans traveling as a group willing to take you up to your final destination.

I hope this information is helpful, especially for first-time SGR travelers. If you have any queries or concerns in regard to the information I have provided. Kindly leave a comment below and I will gladly respond.

Read: Backpacking Kenya – Tsavo to Mombasa Beach via SG

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27 Responses

  1. Hazel Warlaumont says:

    How do I get from the train station in Nairobi to the Nairobi CBD hotels. I will be coming from Mombasa on the morning train.

    • Anita says:

      The easiest way to get to Nairobi CBD is by the train that leaves Syokimau for the railway station in Nairobi CBD half an hour after the SGR train has arrived from Mombasa, then you can walk to your hotel or board a taxi/uber. Another alternative is to take a matatu from Syokimau to Nairobi CBD though you might be subjected to traffic and might take longer than the train.

  2. John says:

    This is very helpful, thank you.

  3. Terry says:

    This is very helpful. Thank you

  4. frank says:

    Is there a train from cbd to syokimau for those leaving with the 2:15 pm sgr to mombasa

  5. Maggie says:

    Does the CBD train leaving for syokimau at 6.30pm give some time allowance or it departs at exact time?

  6. Janeolive says:

    Can you please make me understand please if there is any train from cbd to Nairobi terminus, for the passengers who are traveling over the night?

  7. Rhoda says:

    Is there a CBd train that transports passengers who take the 10.00p.m train to syomiamou station and what time can one catch it

  8. Purity says:

    Where does the train stand at cbd

  9. Hushy says:

    Do I need to book the CBD train or just go in as I would a matatu?

  10. Mary wanjiry says:

    Wow so so so helpful thank you so much

  11. Joji says:

    What time is the train leaving cbd to catch train for 10pm

  12. Knight says:

    Very resourceful

  13. Dan says:

    How can one know the train from syokimau to Nairobi CBD?so as to enter

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