Book a Madaraka Express (SGR) train ticket
Kenya Railways · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Book on metickets.krc.co.ke, dial *639# or buy at an SGR station, and pay with M-Pesa. Carry your original ID and ticket to board. Economy from Nairobi to Mombasa is KSh 1,500.
- Fee
- KSh 1,500Economy class, Nairobi to Mombasa, adult one wayKSh 4,500First class, Nairobi to Mombasa, adult one wayKSh 12,000Premium class, Nairobi to Mombasa, adult one wayKSh 20,000Premium class, Nairobi to Mombasa, adult return
- Deadline
- You can book up to 60 days ahead.
- Where
- Online at metickets.krc.co.ke, by USSD *639# (Safaricom), or at any Madaraka Express station (Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau, Mombasa Terminus in Miritini and the stations in between)
What you need
- Your original ID: national ID, passport, military ID, diplomatic ID, Kenyan alien card, driving licence, or a police abstract under 6 months old
- For a child under 12: birth certificate
- Your original ticket (copies of ID are not accepted)
Steps
- Book online at metickets.krc.co.ke, dial *639# on Safaricom, or buy over the counter at the nearest Madaraka Express station. Enter your full name, ID number and phone number.
- Pay with M-Pesa. After an online or USSD booking you get an M-Pesa prompt and have about 2 minutes to enter your PIN; by Paybill you have 30 minutes, or the booking is cancelled.
- You get an SMS and/or email confirmation with a unique code, your coach and your seat.
- Print your ticket at the self-service machines or the counter at any SGR station, on the travel day or before.
- Get to the station at least 1 hour before departure for security screening and boarding.
Watch out
- Tickets can't be transferred. The name and ID on the ticket must match the person travelling, so never buy a ticket in someone else's name.
- To cancel or change your date, do it at least 48 hours before departure. Rescheduling costs 10% of the fare and cancelling costs 30%.
- Only buy through the official channels. Ignore people offering to sell you tickets another way.
Who can apply
- Anyone with a valid ID. Adults (12 and over) pay full fare, children 3 to 11 pay half, and babies under 3 ride free if they don't need a seat.
Official sources (5)
- Madaraka Express - Frequently asked Questions metickets.krc.co.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- How it works - Booking and Payments metickets.krc.co.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Madaraka Express Passenger Service Conditions for Carriage metickets.krc.co.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Madaraka Express Passenger Service Train Schedule and Fares metickets.krc.co.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Madaraka Express - Online Booking metickets.krc.co.ke · read 30 Sep 2026