Flying from Nairobi to Lamu provides one of the quickest ways to reach Kenya’s historic Lamu archipelago. Flights serving Lamu use Manda Airport (LAU) on Manda Island, with passengers continuing by boat to Lamu Island, Shela and other nearby destinations.
Travellers looking for other air connections around the country can browse the Kenya Domestic Flights Database — [PASTE FLIGHTS PAGE URL] — covering domestic airports, airstrips and flight routes across Kenya.
Last checked: August 2026
Nairobi to Lamu Flight at a Glance
Route: Nairobi ↔ Lamu
Departure Airport: JKIA or Wilson Airport, depending on airline
Arrival Airport: Manda Airport (LAU)
Estimated Flight Time: 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
Estimated One-Way Fare: KSh 8,000–18,000
Route Type: Domestic
Destination Airport Code: LAU
Which Airport Serves Lamu?
Passengers flying to Lamu use Manda Airport (LAU).
Manda Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
The airport is located on Manda Island rather than Lamu Island itself. After landing, passengers travelling to Lamu Old Town, Shela or other parts of Lamu Island generally continue their journey by boat.
This additional transfer should be considered when calculating the overall journey time.
Where Do Nairobi to Lamu Flights Depart?
Depending on the airline and service, Nairobi departures may operate from:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
or
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Wilson Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Passengers should check their ticket carefully before travelling because JKIA and Wilson Airport are separate airports.
Airlines Flying From Nairobi to Lamu
Scheduled and regional airlines serve the Nairobi–Lamu corridor, although the departure airport and operating schedule depend on the carrier.
Jambojet
Jambojet operates domestic services connecting Nairobi with Lamu.
Airline Code: JM
Destination Airport: Manda Airport (LAU)
Safarilink
Safarilink operates regional services from Wilson Airport and includes Lamu within its coastal network.
Departure Airport: Wilson Airport
Destination Airport: Manda Airport
Other regional operators may serve the route according to current schedules.
Passengers should confirm the airline, operating day and Nairobi departure airport before booking.
How Long Is the Nairobi to Lamu Flight?
Passengers can generally plan for approximately:
1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
Flight duration can vary according to the service and operating conditions.
The complete journey will be longer after accounting for travel to the Nairobi airport, check-in, security, boarding, baggage collection and the onward transfer from Manda Airport.
Nairobi to Lamu Flight Fare
For journey planning, passengers can budget approximately:
Estimated one-way fare: KSh 8,000–18,000
Ticket prices vary according to:
- Airline
- Travel date
- Seat availability
- Booking date
- Passenger demand
- Baggage allowance
- Fare conditions
- Promotions
Fares can increase during holidays and other periods of strong demand for coastal travel.
The estimated range should be treated as a planning guide rather than a live ticket quotation.
Nairobi to Lamu Flight Numbers
Flight numbers depend on the airline and scheduled service.
Airline codes passengers may encounter include:
JM — Jambojet
Passengers should use the complete flight number displayed on their current ticket or booking confirmation.
Schedules and flight numbers can change, so they should be reconfirmed before travelling.
Aircraft Used on Nairobi to Lamu Flights
Aircraft serving Lamu vary according to the airline and Nairobi departure airport.
Regional turboprop aircraft are commonly suited to services of this type.
Aircraft used on Kenyan domestic and regional routes can include:
De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft
Cessna Grand Caravan and similar regional aircraft
Airlines can substitute aircraft for operational reasons.
Check-In Before Flying to Lamu
Passengers should follow the check-in deadline provided by their airline.
As a general planning guide, travellers can consider arriving approximately 90 minutes before a domestic departure, while allowing additional time during busy travel periods.
Passengers should also verify whether their flight leaves from JKIA or Wilson Airport before starting their journey to the airport.
Baggage on Lamu Flights
Baggage rules can differ considerably depending on the airline and aircraft.
Before booking, passengers should check:
- Cabin baggage allowance
- Checked baggage allowance
- Excess baggage charges
- Whether checked baggage is included in the fare
- Size restrictions
- Special baggage requirements
Passengers using smaller regional aircraft should pay particular attention to baggage weight and size limits.
Getting From Manda Airport to Lamu
Arriving at Manda Airport does not mark the end of the journey for passengers travelling to Lamu Island.
Passengers generally continue from the airport area by boat towards destinations such as Lamu Old Town and Shela.
Travellers should therefore plan for both the flight and the onward transfer when calculating their overall travel time and budget.
Lamu to Nairobi Return Flights
The route can also be travelled in the opposite direction:
Manda Airport (LAU) → Nairobi
Passengers should check which Nairobi airport their return flight uses.
A service arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is different from one arriving at Wilson Airport (WIL), particularly for passengers connecting to another flight.
Related Kenya Flight Guides
Kenya Domestic Flights Database — [PASTE FLIGHTS PAGE URL]
Nairobi to Mombasa Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Nairobi to Malindi Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Nairobi to Diani / Ukunda Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Wilson to Lamu Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Manda Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Nairobi to Lamu Flight Summary
Nairobi ↔ Lamu / Manda (LAU)
Flight time: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
Estimated fare: KSh 8,000–18,000 one way
Departure: JKIA or Wilson Airport, depending on airline
Arrival: Manda Airport
Airport code: LAU
Onward connection: Boat transfer for Lamu Island and Shela
Passengers should confirm the Nairobi departure airport, operating airline, flight number, departure time, baggage allowance and final fare before travelling.
