Capital city in Nairobi County, Kenya
Nairobi
East Africa's startup and coworking hub, with a national park on the edge of the skyline, good restaurants and easy safari access. Crime, traffic and uneven power and water are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,000–1,700Comfortable, one person · KSh130,000–220,000Details
- Value for money60/100Better value than 59% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Feb, Jul–SepWarmest: Feb, 28°CDetails
- Air quality13.1 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · ModerateDetails
- Internet23 MbpsFixed broadband, Kenya medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$23–54Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in malls, hotels and restaurants; M-Pesa and cash for matatus, markets and street food.Details
Where to stay in Nairobi
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Westlands | Nomads: malls, restaurants, coworking, nightlife and Uber everywhere |
| Kilimani | Long stays: apartments, cafés, coworking, near Yaya Centre |
| Karen | Quiet leafy suburb near the giraffe centre; needs a car or rides |
| Lavington | Calm, safer residential area with cafés and gyms |
| CBD (Central Business District) | Daytime sights and trains; avoid after dark |
Apps that work in Nairobi
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glovo | Widest choice; groceries and restaurants |
| Uber Eats | Good coverage in Westlands and Kilimani |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-PESA: Paying for almost everything
- Madaraka Express: Nairobi–Mombasa train tickets
- Taxis: Street taxis rarely use meters; agree fares or just use apps. Never flag unmarked cars at night.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Kenya.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in malls, hotels and restaurants; M-Pesa and cash for matatus, markets and street food. Use ATMs inside malls.
- 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 Nairobi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Nairobi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Kenya Airports Authority)
- Kenya Railways
- Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
- UK FCDO travel advice: Kenya
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.