City in Mombasa County, Kenya
Mombasa
Kenya's Swahili port city with Fort Jesus, a narrow-laned Old Town and the gateway to the north and south coast beaches. Hot, humid and rough around the edges; visit for culture, sleep on the beach.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$695–1,160Comfortable, one person · KSh90,000–150,000Details
- Value for money78/100Better value than 77% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Mar, Aug–OctWarmest: Feb, 35°CDetails
- Air quality10.8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · ModerateDetails
- Internet23 MbpsFixed broadband, Kenya medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; tap supply is irregular and not advised for visitors.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–39Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in malls, hotels and larger restaurants; cash and M-Pesa for matatus, markets and Old Town shops.Details
Where to stay in Mombasa
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Town | Culture: Fort Jesus, spice shops and guesthouses in Swahili houses |
| Nyali | Long stays and expats: malls, cafés, beach hotels |
| Bamburi | Beach resorts north of Nyali with long sandy stretches |
| Tudor | Local neighbourhood near the island's east side; cheaper rent |
Apps that work in Mombasa
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glovo | Restaurants and groceries across the island and Nyali |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-PESA: Paying for almost everything
- Madaraka Express: Nairobi–Mombasa train tickets
- Taxis: Tuk-tuks and street taxis do not use meters; agree the fare first. Use apps for night rides.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Kenya.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in malls, hotels and larger restaurants; cash and M-Pesa for matatus, markets and Old Town shops.
- Currency: Shilling (KES). US$1 ≈ KSh129.56 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Plentiful in towns; use machines inside banks or malls. Few or none in national parks.
- Tipping: About 10% in restaurants unless service is included; safari guides and camp staff expect tips, and operators suggest daily amounts.
- Paying by phone: Register M-Pesa with your passport on a Safaricom SIM and top up at agents; Apple Pay works at some terminals.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Everyone except East African and most other African nationals needs an eTA from etakenya.go.ke before flying: US$30, about 3 working days.
- The eTA asks for flight details and an accommodation booking; apply at least 2 weeks ahead and only on the official site.
- Passport must be valid 6 months with 2 blank pages. Single-use plastic bags are banned and confiscated on arrival.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 999
Plugs
Type G · 240 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Safaricom has a shop at Nairobi airport arrivals; bring your passport for registration and ask them to activate M-Pesa. Data bundles are cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Kenya
Going to Mombasa solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.