Nairobi Railway Museum is one of the city’s major historical attractions, preserving locomotives, railway equipment and artefacts associated with the development of rail transport in Kenya and East Africa. The museum is located within the Kenya Railways complex off Haile Selassie Avenue, close to Nairobi Central Railway Station and opposite the Technical University of Kenya. (Kenya Railways)
Its location on the southern edge of Nairobi CBD makes it particularly accessible by public transport. Visitors arriving at several CBD termini can complete the final part of the journey on foot.
For connections from different parts of Nairobi, use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database. Visitors travelling to Nairobi from elsewhere in Kenya can also consult the Kenya Domestic Flights: Airports, Airstrips & Flight Routes Guide.
Where Is Nairobi Railway Museum Located?
Nairobi Railway Museum is located within the Kenya Railways complex on Workshop Road, off Haile Selassie Avenue, near Nairobi Central Railway Station. Kenya Railways identifies the location as opposite the Technical University of Kenya. (Kenya Railways)
Destination: Nairobi Railway Museum
City: Nairobi
Area: Nairobi CBD/Railways
Main road: Haile Selassie Avenue
Access road: Workshop Road
Nearby landmark: Nairobi Central Railway Station
Nearby institution: Technical University of Kenya
The museum’s central location means visitors generally do not need a separate matatu connection after reaching the CBD.
What Is Nairobi Railway Museum?
Nairobi Railway Museum preserves the history of railway development in Kenya, including the railway system that played a major role in Nairobi’s growth.
The collection includes historic locomotives and rolling stock associated with the country’s railway history. Kenya’s railway network developed from the original Uganda Railway, while today’s Kenya Railways Corporation was established in 1978 following the end of the East African Railways Corporation era. (Kenya Railways)
For transport enthusiasts, the museum also provides historical context for the modern railway network now serving Nairobi.
How to Get to Nairobi Railway Museum From Nairobi CBD
If you are already within Nairobi CBD, walking is usually the simplest option.
Head towards Haile Selassie Avenue and the Nairobi Central Railway Station area, then continue towards the Kenya Railways complex and Workshop Road.
The general movement is:
Nairobi CBD → Haile Selassie Avenue → Railway Station area → Workshop Road → Nairobi Railway Museum
Visitors unfamiliar with the Railways area should use the main pedestrian routes and confirm the museum entrance when approaching the Kenya Railways complex.
Which Matatu Goes to Nairobi Railway Museum?
There is no need to find a matatu specifically labelled Nairobi Railway Museum.
Instead, use public transport terminating in Nairobi CBD, particularly services leaving you within convenient walking distance of the Railways and Haile Selassie Avenue area.
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify the appropriate CBD connection from your neighbourhood.
Where to Alight for Nairobi Railway Museum
Your best alighting point depends on the matatu route used to reach central Nairobi.
CBD stages near the lower city centre can provide convenient pedestrian access towards Haile Selassie Avenue and Nairobi Central Railway Station.
The Nairobi Bus Stations & Termini: Complete Guide to Matatu Stages and Destinations provides more information about Nairobi CBD termini and the routes they serve.
From the CBD, continue towards the museum on foot.
Getting to Nairobi Railway Museum by Train
Nairobi Central Railway Station is immediately within the wider Kenya Railways precinct, making rail an especially relevant connection for the museum.
Kenya Railways operates Nairobi commuter services connecting Nairobi Central Station with stations in the metropolitan area. (Kenya Railways)
Passengers arriving at Nairobi Central Railway Station can proceed towards the museum within the wider railway complex.
This makes Nairobi Railway Museum unusual among Nairobi attractions because the city’s railway system itself can form part of the journey.
Getting to Nairobi Railway Museum From Thika Road
Passengers travelling from Kasarani, Roysambu, Zimmerman, Githurai and other Thika Road areas can use Nairobi CBD-bound public transport.
The general journey is:
Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Haile Selassie Avenue → Nairobi Railway Museum
After reaching the CBD, complete the journey on foot.
Getting to Nairobi Railway Museum From Eastlands
From Umoja, Buruburu, Donholm, Kayole, Makadara and surrounding Eastlands areas, use Nairobi CBD-bound public transport.
The general journey is:
Eastlands → Nairobi CBD/Railways → Nairobi Railway Museum
Some passengers may also be able to use Nairobi commuter rail services depending on their starting point and the current timetable.
Getting to Nairobi Railway Museum From Westlands
From Westlands, take public transport towards Nairobi CBD.
The general journey is:
Westlands → Nairobi CBD → Haile Selassie Avenue → Nairobi Railway Museum
Once in the city centre, another matatu is generally unnecessary.
Getting to Nairobi Railway Museum From Ngong Road
Passengers travelling from Kilimani, Adams Arcade, Junction and other Ngong Road areas can use CBD-bound public transport.
The general journey is:
Ngong Road → Nairobi CBD → Railways → Nairobi Railway Museum
Walk towards the Nairobi Central Railway Station area after alighting.
Getting to Nairobi Railway Museum From Lang’ata and Ongata Rongai
Passengers from Lang’ata, Nairobi West and Ongata Rongai can use Nairobi-bound public transport along the Lang’ata Road corridor.
For Rongai connections, see the Route 125 Nairobi–Ongata Rongai guide.
The general journey is:
Ongata Rongai/Lang’ata → Nairobi CBD → Railways → Nairobi Railway Museum
Getting to Nairobi Railway Museum From Mombasa Road
Passengers travelling from South B, South C, Imara Daima, Embakasi and areas connected to Mombasa Road can take public transport towards Nairobi CBD.
The general journey is:
Mombasa Road → Nairobi CBD/Railways → Nairobi Railway Museum
The museum’s position on the southern side of the CBD can make the Railways area a particularly convenient destination for passengers approaching central Nairobi from this direction.
Nairobi Railway Museum and Nairobi Central Railway Station
The museum and Nairobi Central Railway Station form part of the same broader historic railway precinct.
The area is also at the centre of the Nairobi Railway City redevelopment programme. Kenya Railways describes the project as a planned multimodal, transit-oriented redevelopment of the Central Station and surrounding railway lands. (Kenya Railways)
This gives the museum an important position between Nairobi’s railway heritage and the future development of the city’s public transport network.
Nearby Nairobi CBD Landmarks
The museum is close to several important transport and city-centre landmarks, including:
- Nairobi Central Railway Station
- Haile Selassie Avenue
- Technical University of Kenya
- Kenya Railways headquarters
- August 7th Memorial Park
- Lower Nairobi CBD
Visitors can therefore combine the museum with other central Nairobi destinations without making another long public transport journey.
Visiting Nairobi Railway Museum
Visitors should confirm current opening hours, admission charges and access arrangements before travelling.
Because the museum sits within the wider Kenya Railways precinct, visitors should also follow signage and security instructions when approaching the facility.
For passengers using commuter rail, check the current Kenya Railways timetable rather than relying on an older schedule.
Nairobi Railway Museum Public Transport Guide
Destination: Nairobi Railway Museum
City: Nairobi
Area: Railways/Nairobi CBD
Main road: Haile Selassie Avenue
Access road: Workshop Road
Nearby landmark: Nairobi Central Railway Station
Best public transport strategy: Travel to Nairobi CBD/Railways and walk
From Thika Road: CBD-bound matatu → Railways → museum
From Eastlands: CBD-bound matatu or suitable commuter rail connection → museum
From Westlands: CBD-bound matatu → Railways → museum
From Lang’ata/Rongai: Nairobi-bound matatu → Railways → museum
For additional connections, use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database.
More Nairobi Sports and Recreation Venues
Nairobi Railway Museum is part of the Nairobi Sports and Recreation Venues database connecting the city’s museums, parks, forests, stadiums, wildlife attractions and other visitor destinations with Nairobi’s public transport network.
The previous destination in the series is August 7th Memorial Park.
The next and final destination in this cluster is Nairobi National Museum at Museum Hill.
Information last verified: September 2026.
