Nairobi Airport

Customer Reviews

No Skytrax Rating
Terminal Seating 12345
Terminal Cleanliness 12345
Terminal Signs 12345
Queuing Times 12345
Food Beverages 12345
Airport Staff 12345
Customer rating from 81 reviews
3/10
No Skytrax Rating
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2/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

I have travelled to Nairobi and used this airport several times. I would add the following warning to those arriving from Egypt or Europe. Be prepared for your bags not to be on your flight. The airport was filled with hundreds of bags chained together from passengers on previous flights. What is more is that the airline will not deliver your bag to your hotel you must waste time and money to go to the airport and pick it up hoping that it has arrived on the next flight. If flying into Nairobi pack extra clothes in your carry on. The clue that this is a major problem is that the lost luggage counter had five staff and only one stapler.
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2/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

The arrangements for security in International Departures mean that passengers who have passed through electronic screening and then buy water or duty free alcohol airside are still very likely to have this confiscated at a second security at the departure gates unless they can produce their receipts for the purchase. No airport signs or verbal warnings from shopkeepers alert passengers to this. This leads to a considerable stockpile of water and alcohol the destination of which is unclear while passengers dehydrate in departure lounges which are too small for the planes which they serve.
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2/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

I queued for 45 minutes just to get into the terminal; the attendant dealing with the queue kept letting Kenyan nationals in front of the queue while there was no one at the receiving end of the screening machine to help passengers. Immigration control was quick. Sadly the airport facilities are very limited with hardly any seats but lots of shops. It looks really like a shopping centre. Annoyingly my BA flight was meant to leave (and left) at 2345 but the screens indicated it was departing at 2320. Having queued for such a long time just to get into the terminal I had no option but to go straight to the special area for BA passengers after passing through two more layers of security. Extraordinary! This airport needs a serious facelift and more consideration for passengers.
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2/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

JKIA is not the most modern airport in the world. It serves its purpose fairly well but time spent there can be extremely frustrating. Baggage claim at the international terminal is a joke. There are 4 or 5 conveyor belts with TV screens that are supposed to tell you which flight's bags it's handling. Instead it only displays numbers and one has to go from belt to belt to try to figure out which one has your bags! Immigration is fast and friendly. Security is okay not as cumbersome as some other airports. Transportation from the airport can be an ordeal. The "authorized desk" for taxis is a joke at best. The "standard prices" listed are grossly inflated and one should be prepared to bargain and argue to bring the prices down. It's best to try to get a rough idea of the fare to your destination ahead of time from friends or hotels. Never accept the response that "it's the standard price since this year" - that's absolute rot. Traffic from JKIA to Nairobi City is an absolute nightmare - as is the case with Nairobi traffic.
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2/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

My first experience of Jomo Kenyatta. It was fine for check-in security checks immigration etc but terrible gate facilities. Hardly any chairs in the main concourse and then quite crowded at the gate itself. For both flight legs we had to walk across the tarmac a few hundred metres to board/disembark the plane. They have air bridges but either they were all in use or they chose not to use them. With 2 small kids it was pretty trying really.
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3/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

I pass through Nairobi from time to time. It is difficult to get information such as what gate to go to for ongoing flight. Also Gate 6 is an abomination. I once waited in line for 2.5 hours there for my ongoing boarding card - folks were missing their flights because of the wait. However - the staff are friendly and helpful once you can get hold of someone who knows. For folks with a long in airport wait for ongoing flights its wise to book into one of the special lounges. The restaurant on floor 5 is good. By the way - if you have to wait for a connecting flight you won't get a meal voucher unless you ask for it that is if your flight qualifies for one. The airport is too small for the amount of traffic it now gets.
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3/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

I have traveled into and out of Kenyatta over the past 4 years and have found the experience palatable. They try but the best thing is not too spend too much time there. Not modern by any means; shops are plentiful but tend to be limited to liquor (including Tusker!) chocolate and tea and coffee. Food has improved. It can be crowded for evening departures. The lines to get in can be long especially for evening flights so allow yourself 3-4 hours. Once past ticketing (everyone has to check in at the ticket counter) it fairly fast. Immigration and customs are quick and friendly. Remember that rush hour in Nairobi runs from 8-10 in the morning and 4-8 in the evening and traffic is VERY congested on the way to and from Kenyatta. I would be close to the airport if I have a flight anywhere close to rush hour. Any little thing can bring traffic to a halt and add hours (yes hours) to the trip. Oh visas can be purchased for the regular price at the airport. Very convenient and quite fast in my experience.
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3/10

Nairobi Airport customer review

The Nairobi National Park is within 20 mnts drive of the airport opens at 5.15 AM to 5 or 6 PM and can provide very nice views of wild animals from baboons and gazelles to lions and giraffes. The problem is whom to go with and at what time. Do not go with touts or soliciting drivers (VERY dangerous anything can happen as you'll be alone on thousands of acres). If you cannot arrange ahead for a professional guide to meet your flight go to the Kenatco window outside customs rent a taxi by the hour 20$/hr plus entrance fees and tip should be accepted). Just be aware that you'll need a visa and you'll pay the airport tax. Also while dawn and dusk are very good there is little to see during the day everything sleeps. Without an experienced guide you anyway most likely won't see anything dramatic. And it will be hot. Take water.
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Nairobi Airport customer review

Bernd Olssen below mentioned paying 10 euros to use a nicer airport lounge at Nairobi airport - I have a 10 hour stop (eek) - does anyone know about this option as the KLM Transit lounge is pretty uncomfortable. Is there anywhere to go for a walk outside or is that out of the question?
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Nairobi Airport customer review

There is already a lot of information about NBO here. On the good side: good shops and cafés; usually short queues at check in and passport control. On the poor side: very poor information on flights as the screens do not work. I could add an advice for those who intend to buy a visa at the airport: download the form from the internet and have it ready before arrival. You will then be at the counter before the huge crowd of people who are still busy filling in the forms. If you are not among the first in the queue it may take a considerable time to get through. Another advice for those who need to take a taxi: Do not listen to the guys who promise you cheap price. If you want a reliable taxi (and reliable driver) go to the left after you have passed the doors beyond the customs desks. After som 20-30 m you will find a roundish kiosk in the middle of the corridor. There you can book a taxi and pay at the counter against a receipt usually cheaper than those offering "cheap price".
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