Kenya has various modes of transport, including Air, Roads, Water, etc., and one that has been promising is the ability to travel by Rail. And we aren’t talking about the old meter-gauge railway (MGR) but the Standard Gauge Railway, where the Madaraka Express Train can be found. The Madaraka Express Passenger service was launched in 2017, and as of 2025, the passenger service 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 of the benefits that it has brought about is that it has made it easier for one to move easily from one point to another. For example, in the past, by Bus travel, it could take you more than 10 hours to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa, but with the Madaraka Express, it now takes between 5-6 hours for the Inter-County service and just 5 hours for the Express service. 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 Tickets Online for Madaraka Express
Despite the Madaraka Express Train Types being operational for more than 8 years, many people, whether Kenyans or international travelers, still have a hard time when it comes to Booking 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 2025, below is the process to follow:
Step 1: Visit the Official Booking Portal
The First step starts with accessing the official Madaraka Express booking portal at https://metickets.krc.co.ke/
Step 2: Start The Booking Process
The next step for you is to start booking the train Type and Input your travel specifics, including departure and destination stations and travel date, as shown in the image attached below. 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 particular step, you will be required to choose your coach type, whereby 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 covered the respective 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. And most importantly, during this step, you will be required to pay for your journey using 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.
Madaraka Express Train Schedules and Services
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 two coach types: Economy and Business (First Class), each catering to different passenger needs and budgets.
As of the writing of this article, Kenya Railways revised its fare structure for 2025 due to rising fuel costs, impacting ticket prices across all routes. The Economy class is the more affordable option, now priced at Ksh 1,500 for a one-way trip between Nairobi and Mombasa, while short-distance routes like Nairobi to Rongai or Ngong cost Ksh 130, while Nairobi to Mai Mahiu or Suswa costs Ksh 250.
At the same time, for passengers seeking a premium experience, Business Class fares have risen to Ksh 4,500 for the Nairobi-Mombasa route, up from the earlier price of Ksh 3,000. To understand the whole Madaraka Train Fares for 2025, below is a table of all class Types with their respective Fares for all stations:
Premium Class Fares (One way)
| From/To | 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)
| From/To | 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
| From/To | 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
| From/To | 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
| From/To | NAIROBI | RONGAI | NGONG | MAIMAHIU | SUSWA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIROBI | – | 130 | 130 | 250 | 250 |
| RONGAI | – | – | 70 | 130 | 130 |
| NGONG | – | – | – | 130 | 130 |
| MAIMAHIU | – | – | – | – | 130 |
Note
Pay attention to these pricing details:
Children between 3 and 11 years old traveling with adults will pay half the fare, while those over 11 must pay the full fare, and those aged 3 and below 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I book Madaraka Express tickets online?
Visit the online portal at https://metickets.krc.co.ke/ or dial *639# to buy a ticket via M-PESA.
What does a Premium class ticket cost for Nairobi to Mombasa?
One-way Premium class costs Ksh 12,000 per trip, and return tickets cost Ksh 20,000.
What are the current train schedules for 2025?
The SGR operates three daily services: Inter-County train at 08:00 (6-hour journey with all stops), Express train at 15:00 (5-hour journey with limited stops), and Night train at 22:00 (5h 45m non-stop service).
And there you have it. We hope that this guide has helped you understand how to book your Madaraka Express Train easily Online. Remember that the process is quite easy, and you can do it by yourself without visiting any Booking station so long as you know the portal to use, which we have covered in the article. If you have any questions to ask, please comment below, and we will be there to help you.
