Getting Around Kenya as a Foreigner (A Local’s Guide)

As a visitor in Kenya, you may be wondering about the best way to get around the country.  Having lived in Kenya all my Life, I know a thing or two about the topic.

The best way to get around Kenya as a foreigner is through taxis from ride hailing apps like Uber and Lyft in urban areas and renting a car when going to more remote areas of the country. The most convenient way of getting around Kenya as a tourist is trough an organized tour which comes with comfortable vehicles to take you around Kenya.

In this post I’m going to share about the most convenient ways to get around Kenya and why you shouldn’t use the public transport system as a foreigner.

Why you shouldn’t use the Kenyan public transport system

The public transport system in Kenya is notoriously infamous for having a poor safety track record for both tourists and locals. From car crashes to pickpocketing, Kenyan Public Service Vehicles carry a lot of risks for you as a tourist and you will be wise to avoid them. 

The only time I would advise the use of public transport in Kenya is when you are traveling long distances and even then, you would need to travel with a bus company that has a good safety track record and a well-organized fleet. The companies that come to mind are: 

1. Modern Coast bus company (when going to the coast)
2. North Rift Shuttle (when traveling to Eldoret and the North Rift Valley)
3. Unique Shuttle (when going to Meru)

This is not an exhaustive list but they are my favorite and most organized public transport companies in Kenya. 

The best way to get around Kenya as a foreigner

The most suitable way of getting around Kenya will depend on whether you are in urban areas or in more remote locations in the country. 

How to get around Urban areas like Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and their environs

If you are trying to get around urban areas, your best means of transportation will be a taxi from a rideshare app like Uber, Lyft or Taxify. You can easily download them on your smartphone and ride in minutes. There are thousands of drivers who have signed up to these platforms so you will never miss a ride. The drivers normally undergo background checks to protect their passengers and this is a comforting extra layer of security.

The reason I consider this the best way of getting around urban areas is the combination of convenience, security and economy that you enjoy when using this service. 

I have gone into more detail about the reasons I consider them the best way of getting around urban areas in the article I wrote on how to get around Nairobi. You can read it to get details. 

How to get around Remote Areas in Kenya

Remote areas are not well served by the taxi-hailing applications and you would need to consider other more convenient means of getting around. On top of this, some areas may be so remote that public transport is space and inconsistent. 

The best way of getting around remote areas in Kenya is by renting a private vehicle or being part of an organized tour. You can hire a vehicle for a few days but Driving yourself in Kenya as a foreigner is not something I recommend. 

The average cost of using Kenyan public transport

Public transport is actually the most affordable way of getting around Kenya. The ability to share the cost of a 14 seater vehicle makes it incredibly economical.

As an example, the average cost of traveling 25 miles within the Nairobi metropolis can be as low as $1. The cost can even go lower when you get out of the main urban areas.

The downside to this economy is the extra risk that you take upon yourself by going by public transport. If the safety record for this means of transport was better I would recommend it as the best way of getting around Kenya.

The average cost of owning a car in Kenya

The flipside to going by public transport is owning your own vehicle. With the average cost of a good second-hand vehicle in Kenya being $20,000, and the cost to operate it averaging around $300 a month, the cost of owning a vehicle in Kenya quickly adds up.

The best way of getting around in Kenya

The very best means of transportation in Kenya are using vehicles from taxi-hailing apps like Uber Lyft and Taxify. This means of transport provides a greater level of convenience than hiring owning your own vehicle while providing a greater level of security than what public transport vehicles would.

Situations where you might have to use the public transport system in Kenya

There might be a time when you will be forced to use public transport to get from one point to another within Kenya. Here are some of Those scenarios

1. When no other means of transport available
2. If you are a backpacker and are on a tight budget
3. If you have been in Kenya for a while and are familiar with the risks that traveling by public means exposes you to.
4. If you are traveling with a local who is familiar with the public transport system in Kenya and can provide guidance and advice as you use them.

Hacks when using the public transport system in Kenya.

The following hacks are what I personally do when riding with a public transport vehicle in Kenya.

1. Put your luggage on your lap: this ensures that you always have your eyes on your valuables.
2. Do not sleep or get overly distracted: you need to stay alert when in a public service vehicle. This in itself will act as a great deterrent to anyone who is trying to pull something off. 
3. Avoid using public transport vehicles late at night: these hours are riskier and the fact that they have less traffic means that you will be more susceptible.

A Final Word

As you prepare for your trip to Africa, I would like to recommend a few products that would help make your life easier. 

1. Information About Africa: I have created a YouTube channel that focuses on things about traveling to Africa that only Africans can tell you about. Check out the channel for insights about African culture and things you can do as a traveler to optimize your trip. You should also visit TripAdvisor forum posts (Here is the Kenya Forum) and ask questions about your particular situation. There are a lot of people who are happy to help you out. 
2. Choosing a Safari Company: I have written an extensive article on how to choose a safari Company. You can. Check it out before starting the process of searching for a safari company.
3. Safari Planning Services: If you’d rather leave the planning to an expert, I offer personalized safari planning services. I handle everything from helping you choose the right safari company, creating your custom itinerary, managing bookings, and even providing a packing list and reminders for important trip details. It’s like having a personal assistant dedicated to your trip, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure. Learn More in this article