Nairobi Matatu Route 36 serves Dandora, connecting commuters between central Nairobi and one of the major residential areas in the city’s Eastlands region. The route also provides connections to Outering Road, giving passengers access to other matatu services serving eastern and northern parts of Nairobi.
← View all Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers
Route 36 is particularly useful for passengers whose destination is Dandora or surrounding Eastlands neighbourhoods. Since several matatu routes operate through eastern Nairobi, commuters should check for the Route 36 number and confirm their specific Dandora stage with the conductor before boarding.
Route 36 Quick Information
Route Number: 36
Route: Nairobi – Dandora
Origin: Nairobi
Main Destination: Dandora
Main Corridor: Eastlands / Dandora corridor
Key Area: Dandora
Major Connection: Outering Road
Return Direction: Dandora – Nairobi
Where to Board Route 36 in Nairobi
Route 36 matatus heading towards Dandora operate from central Nairobi alongside other vehicles serving Eastlands.
Passengers should look for vehicles displaying:
36 – DANDORA
Because many Eastlands matatus initially travel in the same general direction, checking the final destination is important.
Passengers travelling to a particular section of Dandora should tell the conductor their specific stage, estate or landmark.
CBD loading stages and operating arrangements can change, so commuters should confirm the current Route 36 boarding point before travelling.
Route 36 from Nairobi to Dandora
Route 36 travels from central Nairobi towards the eastern side of the city before continuing into the Dandora area.
A simplified journey can be understood as:
Nairobi → Eastlands corridor → Dandora → Outering Road connections
Local stopping patterns may vary depending on operating conditions and the particular vehicle.
Passengers unfamiliar with Dandora should confirm the closest stage to their destination with the conductor.
Major Route 36 Areas and Connections
Dandora
Dandora is the principal destination associated with Route 36.
Dandora is a large residential area in eastern Nairobi and forms an important part of the wider Eastlands commuter network.
The neighbourhood generates substantial passenger demand as residents travel to central Nairobi and other employment, education and commercial centres.
Because Dandora contains several sections and local stages, passengers should know the specific part of the neighbourhood they are travelling to.
Surrounding Eastlands Areas
Route 36 also provides access to the wider Eastlands transport network.
Passengers travelling to neighbourhoods near Dandora may use Route 36 for part of their journey before connecting to another local service.
The most convenient interchange depends on the passenger’s final destination.
If you are making a connection, tell the conductor where you ultimately want to go and ask for the best stage to alight.
Outering Road
Outering Road is one of the most important connections associated with Route 36.
The road is a major transport artery through eastern Nairobi and connects numerous residential neighbourhoods and other major roads.
Passengers reaching the Outering Road corridor can connect with matatus serving different parts of Nairobi.
This makes Route 36 useful for both direct journeys to Dandora and trips requiring an onward connection.
Route 36 Nairobi to Dandora
Passengers travelling specifically from Nairobi to Dandora should look for a Route 36 vehicle displaying Dandora as its destination.
The simplified journey is:
Nairobi → Eastlands → Dandora
Passengers should tell the conductor their specific Dandora stage when boarding.
This is particularly useful for first-time visitors because Dandora is divided into different sections and has several local stopping points.
Route 36 and the Dandora Commuter Corridor
Dandora forms part of Nairobi’s large Eastlands commuter belt.
Every weekday, residents travel from the area towards Nairobi CBD, Industrial Area and other employment and commercial centres.
Morning passenger demand is generally strongest towards central Nairobi.
During the evening rush hour, demand increases in the opposite direction as commuters travel back towards Dandora.
Route 36 forms part of the public transport network supporting these daily journeys.
Route 36 and Outering Road Connections
Outering Road significantly expands the number of destinations accessible to Route 36 passengers.
Commuters can change vehicles around appropriate connection points and continue towards other parts of Eastlands or Nairobi.
For passengers making multi-route journeys, using an Outering Road connection can sometimes avoid travelling through Nairobi CBD simply to change vehicles.
Passengers should confirm the most convenient interchange with the conductor.
Route 36 and the Wider Eastlands Network
Eastlands contains a dense network of residential estates served by numerous matatu routes.
Some routes overlap along major roads before branching towards their final destinations.
Route 36 should therefore be selected specifically when the passenger’s destination is Dandora or a convenient connection along its corridor.
Passengers travelling elsewhere in Eastlands may find another route more direct.
Route 36 vs Route 35/60
Routes 36 and 35/60 both serve the wider Eastlands area but have different principal destinations.
Route 35/60
Route 35/60 is primarily associated with Umoja and connections towards Outering Road.
Route 36
Route 36 primarily serves Dandora.
Passengers should therefore choose according to whether their destination is Umoja, Dandora or another Eastlands neighbourhood.
Route 36 vs Route 34
Route 34 operates through another part of the Eastlands transport network.
Route 34
Route 34 serves Donholm and Embakasi, with connections towards Outering Road.
Route 36
Route 36 serves Dandora and connections with the wider Outering Road corridor.
Although both routes operate in eastern Nairobi, their principal destinations are different.
Route 36 vs Route 33
Route 33 is broadly associated with Embakasi and Pipeline.
Route 36, by comparison, is associated primarily with Dandora.
Passengers travelling from Nairobi should therefore check the destination displayed on the matatu rather than simply boarding a vehicle heading towards Eastlands.
Connecting from Route 36 to Other Eastlands Routes
Dandora and Outering Road provide connections to other public transport services operating across eastern Nairobi.
Passengers may be able to transfer to matatus serving neighbouring residential areas or destinations farther along the Outering Road corridor.
For unfamiliar journeys, passengers should tell the conductor their final destination and ask where to change vehicles.
Route 36 Return Journey: Dandora to Nairobi
Route 36 also provides transport for commuters travelling from Dandora towards Nairobi.
The simplified return journey follows:
Dandora → Eastlands corridor → Nairobi
Morning services towards Nairobi can experience high passenger demand as residents travel to workplaces, schools and businesses.
Evening services travelling towards Dandora can similarly become busy as commuters return home.
Route 36 Matatu Fare
Route 36 fares depend on the passenger’s boarding point and destination.
Passengers making shorter journeys within Eastlands may pay a different fare from those completing the full journey between Nairobi and Dandora.
Fares can also change depending on passenger demand, traffic conditions, weather and time of day.
Morning and evening rush hours may attract higher fares when commuter demand increases.
Important: Nairobi matatu fares are not always fixed and can change at any time. Any Route 36 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 36 Travel Time
There is no fixed travel time between Nairobi and Dandora.
Journey times depend on traffic conditions within central Nairobi and along the Eastlands corridor.
Congestion around major junctions and Outering Road can increase travel times considerably during weekday peak periods.
Road works, accidents and heavy rain can cause additional delays.
Passengers travelling for work, school or appointments should allow extra time during morning and evening rush hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Route 36
Where does Route 36 go?
Route 36 connects Nairobi with Dandora, serving the wider Eastlands corridor and providing connections towards Outering Road.
Does Route 36 go to Dandora?
Yes. Dandora is the principal destination associated with Route 36.
Does Route 36 connect with Outering Road?
Yes. Route 36 provides connections with the Outering Road corridor.
Which matatu goes from Nairobi to Dandora?
Route 36 is one of the matatu route numbers associated with public transport between Nairobi and Dandora.
Is Route 36 an Eastlands matatu route?
Yes. Route 36 operates within Nairobi’s wider Eastlands public transport network.
What is the difference between Route 36 and Route 35/60?
Route 36 primarily serves Dandora, while Route 35/60 serves Umoja.
What is the difference between Route 36 and Route 34?
Route 36 serves Dandora, while Route 34 is associated with Donholm and Embakasi.
Does Route 36 go to Embakasi?
Route 36 is primarily associated with Dandora. Passengers travelling specifically to Embakasi should use an appropriate Embakasi-bound service.
Can I connect to other matatus from Route 36?
Yes. Connections around Dandora and Outering Road can provide access to other Eastlands and Nairobi matatu routes.
How much is Route 36 from Nairobi to Dandora?
The fare varies according to traffic conditions, passenger demand, weather and time of day. Passengers should confirm the current fare with the conductor before boarding.
Route 36 at a Glance
Route Number: 36
Route: Nairobi ↔ Dandora
Main Destination: Dandora
Main Corridor: Eastlands / Dandora corridor
Major Connection: Outering Road
Nearby Route Corridors: Umoja, Donholm and Embakasi
Return Direction: Dandora → Eastlands corridor → 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.
