Travel Info
Money
Kenyan Shilling is an official currency, with current rates of $1 to KSH 75.
In city centre, Barclays bank's branches with guarded ATMs include those on Muindi Mbingu St., Mama Ngina St., and on the corner of Kenyatta and Moi Avenues.
Getting to and out of Nairobi
Air
The national carrier, Kenya Airways (3274000; Barclays Plaza, Loita St.) operates international and domestic services out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Airkenya (501601; Wilson Airport, Langata Road) and Safarilink (600777; Wilson Airport, Langata Road) offer domestic services to many smaller destinations at competitive prices.
Bus
Most long-distance bus-company offices are based in Nairobi’s River Road area. Numerous companies go to Mombasa, leaving in the early morning or late in the evening; the trip takes eight to 10 hours. Buses leave from outside of each company's office, and fares cost KSH 1,000 to KSH 2,000 on average.
Akamba (340430; Lagos Road) buses serve Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kitale, Mombasa, Uganda and Tanzania, leaving from Lagos Road; there's a booking office near City Hall (222027; Wabera St.).
Coastline Safaris (217592; Latema & Lagos Roads) buses are the most comfortable.
Easy Coach (210711; Haile Selassie Ave.) is a reliable new company serving western Kenyan destinations on the Kisumu/Kakamega route.
The government-owned Kenya Bus Service (KBS; 229707) is another large operator. It’s cheaper than Akamba, but the buses are slower. The main depot is located on Uyoma St., and there’s a KBS booking office in the city centre (341250; Muindi Mbingu & Monrovia St.)
Train
Nairobi train station has a booking office at Station Road (221211; 9 a.m. - noon & 2 - 6.30p.m.). Trains for Mombasa take 14 to 16 hours. Trains to Kisumu take 13 hours. It's advisable to book a few days in advance for either of these routes.
Emergency
Emergency services (999) For fire, police and ambulance.
Police (240000), for less-urgent police calls.
Information courtesy of Lonely Planet.