Nairobi Matatu Route 33 serves Embakasi and Pipeline, connecting commuters travelling between central Nairobi and the densely populated eastern side of the city. The route also provides connections to the wider Outering Road corridor, making it useful for passengers travelling to or connecting through eastern Nairobi.

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Route 33 is particularly important for commuters heading towards the Embakasi and Pipeline areas. Because several Route 33 variants and other matatu services operate towards Eastlands and Embakasi, passengers should check the destination displayed on the vehicle and confirm their exact stopping point with the conductor before boarding.

Route 33 Quick Information

Route Number: 33
Route: Nairobi – Embakasi / Pipeline
Origin: Nairobi
Main Destinations: Embakasi and Pipeline
Key Areas: Pipeline, Embakasi
Major Connection: Outering Road corridor
Return Direction: Embakasi / Pipeline – Nairobi

Where to Board Route 33 in Nairobi

Route 33 matatus heading towards Embakasi and Pipeline operate from central Nairobi alongside other services travelling towards Eastlands and the Embakasi side of the city.

Passengers should look for vehicles displaying:

33 – EMBAKASI

or

33 – PIPELINE

The Route 33 number can be associated with different operating variants, so the destination displayed on the vehicle is particularly important.

If you are travelling specifically to Pipeline, Embakasi or a connection along Outering Road, tell the conductor your destination before boarding.

CBD stages and loading arrangements can change, so passengers should confirm the current Route 33 boarding point when travelling.

Route 33 from Nairobi to Embakasi / Pipeline

Route 33 travels from Nairobi towards the eastern side of the city, eventually serving the Pipeline and Embakasi areas.

A simplified journey can be understood as:

Nairobi → Eastlands/Embakasi corridor → Pipeline → Embakasi → Outering Road connections

The exact streets and stopping pattern can vary depending on the particular Route 33 service being operated.

For this reason, passengers should use both the route number and destination board when choosing a matatu.

Major Route 33 Areas Served

Pipeline

Pipeline is one of the principal destinations associated with Route 33.

Pipeline is one of Nairobi’s most densely populated residential neighbourhoods and generates substantial public transport demand throughout the day.

Large numbers of residents commute between Pipeline and Nairobi CBD for work, education, shopping and other activities.

Passengers travelling into Pipeline should tell the conductor their specific stage or landmark because the wider neighbourhood has several stopping points and connections.

Embakasi

Embakasi is another major destination served by Route 33.

The wider Embakasi area contains residential estates, commercial centres, industrial facilities and numerous public transport connections.

Because Embakasi covers a large geographical area, passengers should avoid simply asking whether a vehicle “goes to Embakasi.”

Instead, tell the conductor the specific estate, road, stage or landmark you need.

Outering Road Corridor

Route 33 also provides useful connections to the Outering Road corridor.

Outering Road is one of eastern Nairobi’s most important arterial roads, linking numerous neighbourhoods and providing connections towards other major roads.

Passengers reaching the Outering Road corridor can connect to public transport heading towards destinations in different parts of Eastlands and northern or southern Nairobi.

Route 33 Nairobi to Pipeline

Pipeline is one of the busiest residential destinations on the eastern side of Nairobi.

Passengers travelling specifically from Nairobi to Pipeline should look for a Route 33 service clearly displaying Pipeline or confirm with the conductor that the vehicle serves their part of the neighbourhood.

The simplified journey is:

Nairobi → eastern Nairobi corridor → Pipeline

Because Pipeline has a large population and substantial commuter demand, vehicles can become particularly busy during weekday peak periods.

Route 33 Nairobi to Embakasi

Passengers travelling farther towards Embakasi should make sure their Route 33 vehicle serves the specific section of Embakasi they need.

The broader journey can be understood as:

Nairobi → Pipeline / Embakasi corridor → Embakasi

The term Embakasi can refer to a wide area, so knowing a specific stage, estate or landmark is especially useful.

Route 33 and Outering Road

Outering Road is important to Route 33 passengers because it provides connections to many other parts of eastern Nairobi.

Passengers reaching the corridor can connect towards areas served by other matatu and bus routes.

This makes Route 33 useful not only for passengers whose final destination is Pipeline or Embakasi but also for commuters making onward journeys through the wider Eastlands transport network.

Route 33 and the Embakasi Commuter Corridor

Embakasi and Pipeline form part of one of Nairobi’s largest commuter catchment areas.

Thousands of residents travel towards the CBD, Industrial Area and other employment centres each weekday.

This creates strong passenger demand during the morning rush hour towards central Nairobi and during the evening rush hour in the opposite direction.

Public transport therefore plays a major role in connecting the dense residential areas of eastern Nairobi with the rest of the city.

Route 33 vs Route 33PM

Passengers may encounter different variations of the Route 33 number.

Route 33

Route 33 is broadly associated with Embakasi, Pipeline and the wider eastern Nairobi corridor.

Route 33PM

Route 33PM is more specifically associated with Pipeline, including services travelling through the Mombasa Road/Imara Daima side towards Pipeline.

Passengers should therefore not assume that every Route 33-branded vehicle follows exactly the same streets.

Always check the destination board and confirm your stop with the conductor.

Route 33 vs Route 34

Route 34 is another important route serving the wider Embakasi side of Nairobi.

Route 33

Route 33 serves the Embakasi / Pipeline corridor and provides connections towards Outering Road.

Route 34

Route 34 is associated with the Embakasi and JKIA corridor, including services travelling through the Mombasa Road/Pipeline side.

Passengers travelling specifically to Pipeline or a destination around the Route 33 corridor should confirm which service provides the most direct journey.

Connecting from Route 33 to Other Eastlands Routes

One advantage of travelling through the Embakasi and Outering Road corridor is access to numerous connecting matatu routes.

Depending on where they alight, passengers may find services towards areas such as Donholm, Umoja, Kayole, Fedha, Tassia and other parts of eastern Nairobi.

Passengers making a connection should tell the conductor their final destination. Local crews can often advise on the most convenient stage for changing vehicles.

Route 33 Return Journey: Embakasi / Pipeline to Nairobi

Route 33 also provides transport for commuters travelling from Embakasi and Pipeline towards Nairobi.

The simplified return journey follows:

Embakasi / Pipeline → eastern Nairobi corridor → Nairobi

Morning services towards Nairobi can experience particularly high passenger demand as commuters travel to workplaces, schools and businesses.

In the evening, demand generally increases in the opposite direction as commuters return towards Pipeline and Embakasi.

Route 33 Matatu Fare

Route 33 fares depend on the passenger’s boarding point and destination.

A passenger making a shorter journey may pay a different fare from someone completing the journey between Nairobi and Embakasi.

Fares can also change depending on traffic conditions, passenger demand, weather and time of day.

Morning and evening rush hours may attract higher fares when demand increases.

Important: Nairobi matatu fares are not always fixed and can change at any time. Any Route 33 fare published in this guide should therefore be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed price.

Passengers should confirm the current fare with the conductor before boarding.

Route 33 Travel Time

There is no fixed journey time between Nairobi and Embakasi or Pipeline.

Travel time depends heavily on traffic conditions in central Nairobi, Eastlands and around the Embakasi road network.

Congestion can become particularly heavy during weekday morning and evening rush hours.

Traffic incidents, road works and weather can also increase journey times.

Passengers travelling for work, school, flights or appointments should allow additional time during busy periods.

Frequently Asked Questions About Route 33

Where does Route 33 go?

Route 33 serves the Nairobi–Embakasi / Pipeline corridor, with connections towards Outering Road.

Does Route 33 go to Pipeline?

Yes. Pipeline is one of the main areas associated with Route 33 services.

Does Route 33 go to Embakasi?

Yes. Route 33 serves the wider Embakasi corridor. Passengers should confirm their specific Embakasi destination with the conductor.

Does Route 33 connect with Outering Road?

Yes. Route 33 provides access to connections along the wider Outering Road corridor.

Which matatu goes from Nairobi to Pipeline?

Route 33 services are associated with Pipeline. Passengers may also encounter specific variants such as Route 33PM serving the Pipeline corridor.

Which matatu goes from Nairobi to Embakasi?

Route 33 is one of the route numbers serving the Embakasi corridor. Other services also operate towards different parts of Embakasi.

What is the difference between Route 33 and Route 33PM?

Route 33 broadly serves the Embakasi/Pipeline corridor, while Route 33PM is more specifically associated with Pipeline services. Operating patterns can vary, so confirm the destination before boarding.

What is the difference between Route 33 and Route 34?

Both serve parts of the wider Embakasi transport network, but Route 34 is also associated with the JKIA corridor, while Route 33 is focused on Embakasi, Pipeline and connections towards Outering Road.

How much is Route 33 from Nairobi to Embakasi?

Fares vary according to destination, traffic, weather, time of day and passenger demand. Confirm the current fare with the conductor before boarding.

Route 33 at a Glance

Route Number: 33
Route: Nairobi ↔ Embakasi / Pipeline
Main Destinations: Embakasi and Pipeline
Major Connection: Outering Road corridor
Related Routes: Route 33PM and Route 34
Return Direction: Embakasi / Pipeline → Nairobi

Route numbers, stages, fares, stops and operating patterns can change. Metros Kenya periodically reviews its Nairobi matatu route information to provide commuters with useful and up-to-date public transport information.