🇰🇪 Flights to Nairobi
Cheap Flights to Nairobi from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Dream Fare beats comparison sites with exclusive fares on direct and connecting flights from London to Nairobi — the Safari Capital of the World.
Airlines to Nairobi
All Airlines Flying London to Nairobi
Nairobi has excellent air connections from the UK with daily direct and connecting flights. We compare every airline to find your best price.
Baggage Allowances — London to Nairobi
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya Airways | 1 bag up to 12kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| British Airways | 1 bag up to 23kg | 1 x 23kg | No checked bag on Basic fares |
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | Usually 2 x 23kg | Confirm on your fare at booking |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | Depends on fare | Confirm at booking |
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | Depends on fare | Confirm at booking |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | Depends on fare | Confirm at booking |
Flight Information
London to Nairobi Flight Details
Nairobi is one of Africa’s great gateway cities. Direct flights from London take approximately 8 hours 30 minutes. Nairobi is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
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Distance
~4,250 miles (6,840 km)
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Direct flight time
~8 hours 30 minutes
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Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
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Time difference
+3 hours GMT year-round
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Airport location
Approximately 15km southeast of Nairobi city centre
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Best booking lead time
8 to 12 weeks ahead for best fares
Best Time to Fly London to Nairobi
Good Value
Jan — March
Dry season in Nairobi. Excellent wildlife viewing on the plains. Competitive post-Christmas fares. Good for safari bookings.
Peak Safari
July — October
The Great Migration crosses the Mara River July to October. Peak safari season. Book 3 to 4 months ahead. Prices are higher but wildlife viewing is exceptional.
Cheapest Months
April — June
Long rains season. Lowest fares of the year. Lush and green. Some roads can be challenging but national parks are open.
Short Rains
Nov — December
Brief rainy season. Good value fares. Christmas is expensive — book early. The short rains are less intense than April to June.
Plan Your Trip
Planning Your Flight to Nairobi
Nairobi has two direct airlines from London and is the gateway to Kenya’s safaris and coast. These are the questions our Kenya team is asked most often.
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Flying from outside London
There are no direct flights to Nairobi from Manchester, Birmingham or Scotland. The usual options are one stop via Amsterdam, Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or Addis Ababa, or a connection to London for a direct flight with Kenya Airways or British Airways. Always book on one ticket.
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Safari season and Christmas: book early
July to October (the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara) and the Christmas holidays are the busiest times to fly to Kenya. If your dates are fixed, book well ahead. Our guide to the best time to book explains how far ahead to look.
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Kenya eTA before you fly
UK passport holders need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Kenya. Apply online on the official Kenyan government site well before your trip, and avoid unofficial sites that add extra charges.
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Baggage: compare the total price
Kenya Airways and British Airways both include a checked bag on standard economy fares, but British Airways’ cheapest Basic fares include none. One-stop airlines vary by fare. Our guide to cheap flights to Africa compares the main airlines and hubs.
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Arriving at Jomo Kenyatta airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is about 18km from central Nairobi. The Nairobi Expressway links the airport area with the city centre and Westlands, which can make the trip much quicker outside peak hours. Use Uber, Bolt or a transfer arranged by your hotel.
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Onward flights: Mombasa and safaris
Domestic flights from Jomo Kenyatta connect to Mombasa and the coast, while many safari flights to the Maasai Mara leave from Wilson Airport, a separate airport in Nairobi. Allow time to transfer between the two. See all flights to Kenya.
About Nairobi
Nairobi — Safari Capital of the World
Nairobi is one of Africa’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities — a thriving business hub, technology capital and the world’s premier gateway to safari. Home to the only national park within a major world city, Nairobi offers a unique combination of urban sophistication and raw African wilderness.
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Nairobi National Park
The only national park in the world located within a capital city. Just 7km from the city centre, Nairobi National Park is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, buffaloes, hippos and over 400 bird species — all with the Nairobi skyline as a backdrop.
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Gateway to Safari
Nairobi is the gateway to the Maasai Mara — arguably the finest safari destination on earth. The Great Migration (July to October) sees over 1.5 million wildebeest cross the Mara River in one of nature’s most spectacular events. Amboseli, Tsavo and Samburu are also within easy reach.
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Silicon Savannah
Nairobi is Africa’s tech capital — known as the Silicon Savannah. M-Pesa (the world’s most successful mobile money platform) was invented here. Nairobi’s tech ecosystem is one of Africa’s most vibrant with a growing community of startups, venture capital and international tech companies.
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Kenyan Cuisine
Nyama choma (roasted meat — the national obsession), Ugali with sukuma wiki (maize porridge with collard greens), Githeri (maize and bean stew), Pilau rice, Mandazi (fried doughnuts), Kenyan tea (milky, spiced and strong) and fresh Kenyan coffee are essential Nairobi food experiences.
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Karen & Suburb Life
The leafy suburb of Karen — named after author Karen Blixen of Out of Africa fame — is one of Nairobi’s most beautiful residential areas. The Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage are all in Karen and are unmissable Nairobi experiences.
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Culture & Arts
The Nairobi National Museum, Bomas of Kenya (traditional village and cultural centre), the vibrant Kazuri Beads workshop and the contemporary art galleries of the Westlands and Karen areas make Nairobi one of East Africa’s finest cultural destinations.
Top Places to Visit in Nairobi
Maasai Mara National Reserve
A 5-hour drive from Nairobi or a 45-minute flight. The Maasai Mara is arguably the finest safari destination on earth. The Big Five, the Great Migration (July to October), outstanding Maasai culture and extraordinary landscapes make this the most sought-after safari destination for UK travellers.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The world’s most successful elephant orphan rescue and rehabilitation programme. Located in Karen, Nairobi. Visitors can meet orphaned baby elephants and learn about the Trust’s remarkable conservation work. An unmissable Nairobi experience, especially for families with children.
Giraffe Centre
Feed endangered Rothschild giraffes by hand at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife centre in Karen. One of the most beloved wildlife experiences in East Africa and a favourite for families visiting Nairobi. The giraffes are remarkably tame and the experience is extraordinary.
Karen Blixen Museum
The former home of Danish author Karen Blixen (Out of Africa) in the Nairobi suburb that bears her name. The beautifully preserved farmhouse and gardens tell the story of Blixen’s extraordinary life in colonial Kenya. A UNESCO-listed heritage site of great historical significance.
Nairobi National Museum
Kenya’s finest museum with outstanding collections of natural history, Kenyan art, ethnography and a remarkable fossil collection including the complete skeleton of Homo habilis from Lake Turkana. The museum’s Snake Park and botanical gardens are also worth visiting.
Westgate Mall & Westlands
The Westlands neighbourhood is Nairobi’s most cosmopolitan area — excellent restaurants, bars, boutiques and the Java House coffee chain (a Nairobi institution). The restaurant scene in Westlands and Kilimani rivals any African city for quality and variety.
Travel Tips
Nairobi Travel Guide
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Visa for Kenya
UK citizens require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Kenya. Apply online at etakenya.go.ke before travel. The ETA costs approximately $30 USD and processing takes 3 working days. Dream Fare can guide you through the process.
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Currency & Money
Kenya uses the Kenyan Shilling (KES). USD is widely accepted in hotels and safari lodges. Cards accepted in major Nairobi establishments. M-Pesa mobile money is used for almost everything. Inform your bank before travelling.
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Getting Around Nairobi
Uber and Bolt are safe and reliable in Nairobi. Matatus (shared minibuses) are the local transport. Nairobi traffic is notorious — allow significant extra time for airport transfers especially during rush hours. The Nairobi Expressway has improved journey times significantly.
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SIM Cards & Data
Safaricom is Kenya’s leading network with the best 4G coverage. SIM cards available at JKIA Airport on arrival. 4G coverage is excellent across Nairobi and most tourist areas. Safaricom data bundles are very affordable.
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Weather in Nairobi
Nairobi sits at 1,795 metres altitude giving it a surprisingly mild climate — temperatures of 15°C to 26°C year-round. Pack a light jacket for evenings. The long rains (April to June) and short rains (November) bring afternoon downpours but rarely affect daytime plans.
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Safety in Nairobi
Nairobi requires standard big-city precautions. Use Uber or Bolt rather than roadside taxis. Avoid displaying expensive items in public. Stick to recommended areas. Nairobi is a major international city visited safely by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
Flights to Nairobi FAQ
How long is the flight from London to Nairobi?
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) take approximately 8 hours 30 minutes. Kenya Airways and British Airways both operate daily direct services. Connecting flights via Addis Ababa, Dubai or Doha take 12 to 14 hours.
Can I fly to Nairobi from Manchester or Birmingham?
There are no direct flights to Nairobi from Manchester, Birmingham or other regional UK airports. You can fly with one stop via Amsterdam, Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or Addis Ababa, or connect to London for a direct flight. Book on one ticket so you are protected if your first flight is late.
Do safari flights leave from the same Nairobi airport?
Not always. International flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, but many safari flights to the Maasai Mara leave from Wilson Airport, a separate airport in Nairobi. Allow time to transfer by road between them.
Which airlines fly direct from London to Nairobi?
Kenya Airways and British Airways both operate daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Nairobi. Kenya Airways is particularly popular with the UK Kenyan community. British Airways offers Club World business class and Avios earning.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Kenya?
UK citizens require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Kenya. Apply online at etakenya.go.ke before travel. The ETA costs approximately $30 USD and takes 3 working days to process. It replaced the previous visa on arrival system in 2024.
When is the Great Migration in Kenya?
The Great Migration crosses the Mara River in the Maasai Mara from approximately July to October. The river crossings — where over 1.5 million wildebeest cross crocodile-infested waters — are the most dramatic wildlife spectacle on earth. Book safaris and Nairobi flights 3 to 4 months ahead for this period.
What is the cheapest time to fly from London to Nairobi?
April to June (long rains) typically has the lowest fares. January to March is also good value. July to October (Great Migration safari season) and December are the most expensive periods. Book 8 to 12 weeks ahead for best prices year-round.
How much do return flights from London to Nairobi cost?
Return flights from London to Nairobi start from approximately £449 with Dream Fare. Prices vary by airline, travel dates and booking lead time. Contact us for the latest exclusive fares not available on comparison sites.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.