Kenya has various modes of transport, including Air, Road, and water, and one that has shown promise is rail. We aren’t talking about the old meter-gauge railway (MGR), but about the Standard Gauge Railway, where the Madaraka Express Train operates. The Madaraka Express Passenger service was launched in 2017, and as of 2026, it supports various Train types, including Inter County, Express, and Night Train. It operates from Nairobi to Mombasa and Suswa, with key stations in Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, Miasenyi, Mariakani, Maai Mahiu, Ngong, and Rongai.
One benefit is that it has made it easier to move from one point to another. For example, in the past, bus travel from Nairobi to Mombasa could take more than 10 hours. With the Madaraka Express, the Inter-County service now takes 5-6 hours, and the Express service just 5 hours. So, if you are interested in knowing more about the Madaraka Express Train, specifically how you can easily make your online booking, we have you covered in this guide. All you need to do is make sure that you follow the article to the end and do not miss a single step.
How to Book Madaraka Express Online
Despite the Madaraka Express Train Types having been operational for more than 8 years, many people, whether Kenyans or international travelers, still struggle to book the Train. Well, you will be glad to know that the Kenya Railway has provided an online booking portal (metickets.krc.co.ke) where you can easily book your journey.
However, before you proceed, here is what to keep in mind: Individual bookings can be done at any time 60 days in advance; however, for group bookings involving more than 20 passengers, reservations must be made at least 32 days ahead of travel.
To book the Madaraka Express passenger Train in 2026, follow the process to follow:
Step 1: Visit the Official Booking Portal
The First step is to access the official Madaraka Express booking portal at https://metickets.krc.co.ke/.
Step 2: Start The Booking Process
The next step is to select the train Type and enter your travel details, including departure and destination stations and the travel date, as shown in the attached image. When done, click on the Book Train Button to proceed to the next phase.
Step 3: Choose your Coach Type & Modify the details
In this step, you will be required to select your coach class; the Madaraka Express passenger train offers three classes. The Premium Class is the most luxurious, offering fully reclining leather seats that convert into flat beds, complimentary meals, and personal entertainment systems. First Class provides spacious reclining seats with ample legroom and limited meal services. Economy Class is the budget-friendly option with comfortable non-reclining seats and standard amenities. I have included the applicable fares for the Madaraka Express coach types below.
Step 4: Make Payments
At this stage, you will be required to provide your passenger information, including your name, ID card number or passport number, gender, and Nationality. Most importantly, during this step, you will be required to pay for your journey via M-Pesa. All you need to do is enter your M-Pesa number and click on Proceed to make payments. You will receive an M-Pesa prompt on your phone requesting you to enter your PIN to complete the process.
Step 5: Receive Your E-Ticket
After successful payment, an e-ticket with a unique QR code will be emailed or sent via SMS. This ticket serves as proof of booking and must be presented during boarding. Printing the ticket is optional but recommended for convenience.
Note
Once you have paid for your tickets, please keep the following things in mind:
- You should arrive one hour before the Departure time indicated on the ticket.
- You must have the original identification documents when traveling.
- If you want to cancel your journey for a refund, you must do so 48 hours in advance of the departure time, as shown on your ticket, at any Madaraka Express Service station. A 30% cancellation fee applies.
- For ticket rescheduling, you must request changes 48 hours before departure with a 10% penalty fee.
- Do not carry any Alcoholic drinks or Sprays with an inflammable sign, sharp objects, or pets on the day of departure.
- For those who do not prefer using the Online booking portal, you can also make your bookings either by visiting any Booking station near you or dialing *639# to buy a Madaraka Express ticket and pay via M-PESA.
For those who do not prefer using the Online booking portal, you can also make your bookings either by visiting any Booking station near you or dialing *639# to buy a Madaraka Express ticket and pay via M-PESA.
Madaraka Express Train Fares for 2026
The cost of using the Madaraka express train varies depending on the Coach type you have booked. If you have been following by now, you know that there are three coach types: Economy, First Class, and Premium Class, each catering to different passenger needs and budgets.
As of 2026, the fare structure remains consistent with recent pricing. The Economy class is the more affordable option, priced at Ksh 1,500 for a one-way trip between Nairobi and Mombasa. Short-distance routes like Nairobi to Rongai or Ngong cost Ksh 130, while Nairobi to Mai Mahiu or Suswa costs Ksh 250.
For passengers seeking a premium experience, Business Class (First Class) fares are Ksh 4,500 for the Nairobi-Mombasa route. The Premium Class offers the most luxurious travel experience at Ksh 12,000 for a one-way ticket, with return tickets available at Ksh 20,000.
To understand the whole Madaraka Train Fares for 2026, below is a table of all class Types with their respective Fares for all stations:
Premium Class Fares (One way)
| Route | NAIROBI | ATHI-RIVER | EMALI | KIBWEZI | MTITO-ANDEI | VOI | MIASENYI | MARIAKANI | MOMBASA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIROBI | – | 480 | 3,180 | 4,860 | 5,980 | 8,540 | 9,820 | 11,500 | 12,000 |
| ATHI-RIVER | – | – | 2,640 | 4,380 | 5,500 | 8,060 | 9,340 | 11,020 | 11,580 |
| EMALI | – | – | – | 1,740 | 2,860 | 5,360 | 6,700 | 8,380 | 8,940 |
| KIBWEZI | – | – | – | – | 940 | 3,680 | 4,960 | 6,700 | 7,200 |
| MTITO-ANDEI | – | – | – | – | – | 2,560 | 3,820 | 5,520 | 6,080 |
| VOI | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,280 | 2,960 | 3,520 |
| MIASENYI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1,740 | 2,240 |
| MARIAKANI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 560 |
Premium Class Fares (Return)
| Route | NAIROBI | ATHI-RIVER | EMALI | KIBWEZI | MTITO-ANDEI | VOI | MIASENYI | MARIAKANI | MOMBASA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIROBI | – | 800 | 5,300 | 8,100 | 9,970 | 14,240 | 16,370 | 19,170 | 20,000 |
| ATHI-RIVER | – | – | 4,400 | 7,300 | 9,170 | 13,440 | 15,570 | 18,370 | 19,300 |
| EMALI | – | – | – | 2,900 | 4,770 | 8,840 | 11,170 | 13,970 | 14,900 |
| KIBWEZI | – | – | – | – | 1,570 | 6,140 | 8,270 | 11,170 | 12,000 |
| MTITO-ANDEI | – | – | – | – | – | 4,270 | 6,370 | 9,200 | 10,140 |
| VOI | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2,140 | 4,940 | 5,870 |
| MIASENYI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2,900 | 3,740 |
| MARIAKANI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 940 |
First Class Fares
| Route | NAIROBI | ATHI-RIVER | EMALI | KIBWEZI | MTITO-ANDEI | VOI | MIASENYI | MARIAKANI | MOMBASA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIROBI | – | 180 | 1,190 | 1,820 | 2,240 | 3,200 | 3,680 | 4,310 | 4,500 |
| ATHI-RIVER | – | – | 990 | 1,540 | 2,060 | 3,020 | 3,500 | 4,130 | 4,340 |
| EMALI | – | – | – | 650 | 1,070 | 2,010 | 2,510 | 3,140 | 3,350 |
| KIBWEZI | – | – | – | – | 350 | 1,380 | 1,860 | 2,510 | 2,700 |
| MTITO-ANDEI | – | – | – | – | – | 960 | 1,430 | 2,070 | 2,280 |
| VOI | – | – | – | – | – | – | 480 | 1,110 | 1,320 |
| MIASENYI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 650 | 840 |
| MARIAKANI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 210 |
Economy Class Fares
| Route | NAIROBI | ATHI-RIVER | EMALI | KIBWEZI | MTITO-ANDEI | VOI | MIASENYI | MARIAKANI | MOMBASA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIROBI | – | 90 | 390 | 600 | 740 | 1,050 | 1,350 | 1,410 | 1,500 |
| ATHI-RIVER | – | – | 330 | 540 | 680 | 990 | 1,160 | 1,350 | 1,430 |
| EMALI | – | – | – | 210 | 360 | 680 | 830 | 1,040 | 1,100 |
| KIBWEZI | – | – | – | – | 150 | 470 | 620 | 830 | 890 |
| MTITO-ANDEI | – | – | – | – | – | 320 | 480 | 690 | 750 |
| VOI | – | – | – | – | – | – | 170 | 380 | 440 |
| MIASENYI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 210 | 290 |
| MARIAKANI | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 110 |
Nairobi – Suswa Route
| Route | NAIROBI | RONGAI | NGONG | MAIMAHIU | SUSWA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIROBI | – | 130 | 130 | 250 | 250 |
| RONGAI | – | – | 70 | 130 | 130 |
| NGONG | – | – | – | 130 | 130 |
| MAIMAHIU | – | – | – | – | 130 |
Children’s Fare Policy
Pay attention to these pricing details:
Children ages 3 to 11 traveling with adults pay half the fare; those over 11 pay the full fare; and children under 3 travel for free.
KRC Contacts
For more information, please contact:
- Website: www.krc.co.ke
- Twitter: KenyaRailways_
- Facebook: Kenya Railways
- Email: info@krc.co.ke
- Phone: 0709 907 000, 0709 907 555
FAQs
How to book a train ticket?
To book a Madaraka Express train ticket, visit the official portal at https://metickets.krc.co.ke/, select your departure and destination stations, choose your travel date, pick your preferred coach class, provide passenger details, and complete payment via M-Pesa. Alternatively, you can dial *639# on your phone or visit any SGR station booking counter.
What is the phone number for SGR booking?
How much is the train ticket from Nairobi to Mombasa?
How much is SGR premium class?
SGR Premium Class costs Ksh 12,000 for a one-way ticket from Nairobi to Mombasa and Ksh 20,000 for a return ticket. Premium Class offers fully reclining leather seats that convert into flat beds, complimentary meals, and personal entertainment systems.
What is the best way to book a train ticket?
The best way to book a Madaraka Express ticket is through the official online portal at https://metickets.krc.co.ke/, which allows you to book 24/7 from anywhere, compare available times, and receive instant e-ticket confirmation via email or SMS. This method is faster and more convenient than visiting the station.
When did online train ticket booking start?
What is the difference between SGR premium and first class?
Premium Class offers fully reclining leather seats that convert into flat beds, complimentary full meals, personal entertainment systems, and greater privacy, priced at Ksh 12,000 one-way. First Class provides spacious reclining seats (that don’t convert to beds), ample legroom, limited meal service, and costs Ksh 4,500 one-way. The premium option is nearly three times the price but offers significantly more luxury and comfort.
