Typically, there are two ways to fly to Mombasa: to take a flight to Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Nairobi and then a connecting flight onto Moi International Airport in Mombasa, or directly to Moi International airport in Mombasa.

The first option of flying from a first to Nairobi is usually the cheapest and easiest way to find flights from foreign destinations (e.g. Europe, North America, Australia & New Zealand, and other African countries). Information about flights to Nairobi.

Best Times to Fly
Prices vary depending on where you are flying from, but flights to Mombasa tend to fill up quickly from the of end June to early September, and from December to January — the main holiday season. For these times, it is advisable to book at least a few months in advance in order to get the best priced fares.

Outside these times of the year, however, there can be good deals on “off-season” rates. Before booking, shop around with various agencies both online and in your city, and ensure that rates quoted include any additional taxes, fuel surcharges, etc. Travel insurance is never a bad idea, particularly if the situation in the region may seem unstable (consult travel advisories regularly).

Flights from the UK to Kenya
London is by far the best departure point to Kenya from the UK, with direct flights to Nairobi seven times a week from Heathrow with both British Airways and Kenya Airways, taking around nine hours.

Several low-cost airlines also offer charter flights from the UK to Mombasa. These include Monarch Airlines, Condor, and Thomsonfly.

Sometimes, cheaper alternatives can be found through indirect flights. Airlines worth considering include Egyptair (via Cairo), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Abiba), El Al (via Israel), and Gulf Air (via the Emirates or Saudi Arabia), as well as KLM (via the Netherlands).

Flights to Kenya from the USA and Canada
There are currently no direct flights from the USA or Canada to East Africa, so it is necessary to use connecting flights and sometimes different airlines. The fastest routes to Nairobi are from New York via London, either on British Airways or on a combination of Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways. Alternatively, you can fly via various European hubs.

Automatically coordinated flight bookings and cost comparisons for a variety of different airlines flying out of North America, can be searched using the Orbitz Round Trip Air Tab or using Cheapoair
search.

Flights to Kenya from Australia and New Zealand
There are currently no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand — all require a stopover either in Asia, Southern Africa, or in the airlines’ home city. The most direct flights from Australia are via Johannesburg with SAA, via Harare Quantas and Air Zimbabwe, or via Singapore and Mauritius with Quantas and Air Mauritius.

Flights to Kenya South Africa
There are direct flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi operated by South African Airways and Kenya Airways.

Flights within Kenya
Direct flights are available between Mombasa and other Kenyan cities, including Nairobi, via Kenya Airways or low-cost airlines such as Fly540. Both of these airlines also provide flights to and from neighboring countries such as Uganda and Rwanda.

Official Information From the Department of Immigration of Kenya:

• Requirements for Issuance of Visas
• Types of Visas
• Countries whose nationals do not require visas to enter Kenya
• Nationals of Countries, Classes and Categories of persons who may be issued with visas on application either on arrivals at a port of entry or at any Kenyan Mission Abroad. US visitors can obtain advance visas in 24 hours by using RushMyTravelVisa.com
• Nationals of countries, classes and categories of persons who require referred VISAS.
• Countries that have concluded visa abolition agreement with Kenya.
• Persons who do not require a visa to enter Kenya
• Prohibited immigrants
• Visa fees
• Download a visa application form (pdf)
• Quasi-Consular agreements

The town of Mombasa is East Africa’s largest port and Kenya’s main tourist hub. Located in the southeastern part of Kenya, it is one of the most significant towns, not only for its imports and exports through its port but also as a major destination for tourists visiting Kenya.

The Town
The coastal city of Mombasa is actually an island with magnificent stretches of white sandy beaches and coral reefs. The town has four major roads, namely Digo Road, Nkrumah Road, Nyerere Road and Moi Avenue. Along these major roads are where most of the towns shops and businesses are located.

Getting Around
The Moi International Airport is an architectural symbol of Mombasa’s growing investment in tourism. It has been newly-renovated, and a new terminal has been built to facilitate larger aircraft and increased passenger traffic. As a direct result, many of the major airlines that operate out of the airport have increased both the number and frequency of their flights, in particular from major European cities. Smaller airlines operate local and regional flights within Kenya and East and Southern Africa respectively.

Kenya Airways offers the most frequent flight schedule into and out of Mombasa, to a variety of national and international destinations. Visit Kenya Airways to view flight schedules. Another airline that flies to and from Mombasa is Air Kenya.

Kenya Railways offers train services throughout the country, primarily between Nairobi and Mombasa. Passengers who chose to travel via rail have the option of travelling either by first or second class. A trip from Nairobi to Mombasa usually takes around 13 hours during which a variation of wildlife can be seen at a relatively close distance. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also served on the train’s dining carriage. Tickets can be purchased at local travel agencies as well as at the main station which is located opposite the roundabout of Haile Salassie avenue and Mwenbe Tyari Road.

Being a small town, Mombasa does not have an extensive transport grid. The main form of transport is the public bus service (Kenya Bus Services), followed by the very popular minibuses otherwise commonly known and referred to as “Matatus”. Both forms of transport are highly used by the locals, and a ride in a “Matatu” can be quite a fascinating experience. London-style cabs and other taxis can be found almost anywhere in the town. The North Coast is accessed via the Nyali Bridge, and the South Coast through the Likoni Ferry.

Services
In the heart of the town is where most hospitals, businesses, banks, shops and markets are situated. Hence almost all services such as health advice, financial services, or any kind of shopping, are all provided for in the City. There are four main hospitals around the City centre, with many smaller clinics located all around the town and its outskirts. They are the Mombasa hospital, Aga Khan hospital, Pandya Memorial hospital and Coast General hospital. Most hotels have resident doctors and nurses.

Financial institutions are located in abundance throughout the center of the town. Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered, and ABN-AMBRO are a few of such banks that can be found. Many other internationally-based banks also have their branches in Mombasa. Foreign exchange bureaus are also available and offer attractive exchange rates for all currencies. However it is strongly recommended for safety purposes that you carry travelers cheques (American Express or Thomas Cook preferably) as opposed to cash.

Security
Security is always a concern, and the local government has taken a number of steps to ensure that the general public feels safe in all areas of the City as well as along the beaches. The Central Police Station is located at the heart of the town, and regular patrols are carried out on foot as well as in vehicles all over the City. Kenya Wildlife Service agents maintain a safe and clean environment along the beaches, and ensure that the law is enforced with around the clock surveillance.

Port Of Mombasa
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) manages the port of Mombasa. The port serves as a transit point for Kenya’s imports from other countries as well as for its exports of goods and services from the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors. Most of the ships seen at the port are from Kenya’s neighboring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Zaire and few others as well. Cruise ships, Navy ships and the famous QEW are frequent visitors to the port and the town. The Port of Mombasa is vast in size. Port Tudor, Kilindini Harbour and Port Reitz, which used to be the old port, are what make up the Port of Mombasa. The Port offers many of the essential services such as cargo handling, berthing of ships, and other such facilities.

General Facts
Size: 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 kilometers) wide
Population: 500,000
Religion: Christianity, Islam and other minority religious groups
Language: Swahili and English
Exports: Tourism, Coffee, Tea, Cement and Cotton
Climate: Tropical Climate with temperatures varying from low 20’s to high 30 degrees celsius.
Rainfall: 40 inches (1,000 millimeters) a year
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Ksh)
Time Difference: 3 Hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Electricity Voltage: 220/240v, step down transformers and batteries are highly recommended. Check if your electrical appliance is compatible with different voltages.
Distance From Nairobi: 487kms
Major Airport: Moi International Airport
Neighboring Towns: Malindi (1 hour away) Watamu (2 hours away)