Kenya Railways has announced an additional Madaraka Express passenger train between Nairobi and Mombasa to accommodate increased travel demand during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The extra service will operate daily from December 1, 2026, to January 4, 2027, providing more travel options for passengers heading to and from the Coast.
The additional train will complement the existing Madaraka Express SGR passenger network, which connects Nairobi and Mombasa through several stations along the Standard Gauge Railway corridor.
In a notice issued on Friday, November 13, Kenya Railways said the service was intended to accommodate increased passenger demand during the festive season.
Additional SGR Train Schedule
The Nairobi–Mombasa service will depart Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau at 9:40 am, arriving at Mombasa Terminus in Miritini at 3:35 pm.
The train will stop at Voi at 1:35 pm before departing five minutes later at 1:40 pm for Mombasa.
Passengers travelling in the opposite direction will depart Mombasa at 4:30 pm, arriving at Voi at 6:15 pm. The train will leave Voi at 6:20 pm and reach Nairobi at 10:55 pm.
| Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi–Mombasa | 9:40 am | 3:35 pm |
| Mombasa–Nairobi | 4:30 pm | 10:55 pm |
The additional service follows the Nairobi–Voi–Mombasa stopping pattern. Passengers can consult the Nairobi to Mombasa Express Train: Madaraka Express Route Guide for information about the stations and connections along this corridor.
Festive Travel Demand Expected to Rise
The additional service comes as Kenya Railways prepares for increased passenger traffic during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Mombasa and other coastal destinations traditionally attract holidaymakers during December, with travellers heading to the region for family gatherings, vacations and end-of-year celebrations.
The additional train will provide more options for passengers travelling between the capital and the Coast, particularly during periods when existing services experience high booking demand.
The expanded schedule also gives travellers greater flexibility when planning their journeys, with an additional morning departure from Nairobi and an afternoon departure from Mombasa.
Existing Madaraka Express Services
The additional train will operate alongside existing Madaraka Express services, including the Inter-County, Afternoon Express and Night Express trains.
The Inter-County service connects Nairobi and Mombasa through several intermediate stations, including Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, Miasenyi and Mariakani.
The regular Inter-County train departing Mombasa at 8:00 am arrives in Nairobi at approximately 2:10 pm.
Journey times vary depending on the selected service and the number of scheduled stops.
Connecting to Nairobi Terminus
Passengers travelling from Nairobi’s central business district should remember that Madaraka Express trains depart from Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau, not Nairobi Central Railway Station.
Travellers can use road transport or selected railway connections to reach the SGR terminus.
Those planning to connect by rail can consult the Nairobi Central Railway Station to Nairobi SGR Terminus Link Train Guide for information about the connection between the CBD and Syokimau.
Passengers should confirm the link train timetable before travelling, as its operating schedule may not correspond with every Madaraka Express departure.
Passengers Urged to Book Early
Kenya Railways has encouraged passengers planning festive journeys to reserve their seats early to avoid last-minute disappointment.
Tickets can be booked through the official Madaraka Express online booking platform, authorised ticket counters or the Kenya Railways USSD service.
Passengers should ensure their travel dates, identification details, departure stations and destinations are correct before completing their bookings.
Travellers are also advised to arrive at their departure stations early to allow sufficient time for ticket verification, security screening and boarding.
Passengers should familiarise themselves with applicable railway regulations before travelling. Metros Kenya has previously examined SGR passenger rules and offences that could attract penalties.
The additional festive service will operate until January 4, 2027, covering the Christmas holidays, New Year celebrations and the early January return-travel period.
The expanded timetable is expected to provide additional capacity along one of Kenya’s busiest intercity passenger transport corridors.