SGR “Madaraka Express” train is the only nonstop train presently ferrying passengers between Nairobi and Mombasa which are the major cities in Kenya. Tourists and travelers staying in Kenya cannot afford to miss traveling between these two cities. It is noteworthy that this is a one-way train and doesn’t stop at any intermediate stations.
Since its inception in mid-2017, the SGR Madaraka Express train has served a large number of commuters on a daily basis. On average, more than 2,000 SGR travelers get booked each day for this incredible journey between the two cities.
The SGR trains travel at a maximum speed of 120 km per hour. The whole journey is estimated to take about 5 hours 55 Minutes for morning trains and about 5 hours for the afternoon express train. The journey from each city commences at 08:00 a.m. and ends at 13:55 p.m.
The SGR train has two classes; the First class and the Economy class. First-class seats and second-class seats are the most habitually used seat types on SGR speed rail. Here below I will try to give the differences between the two classes. Am sure you are going to like both of them.
If you care about luxury more than spending or if you are a businessman who desires a decent rest during the trip, then a first-class seat is highly recommended. Should you find the Economy class seat sold out, the First Class will be the next and only available best choice.
If you are a modest traveler or traveling as a family or group, then second class recommended this is due to their relatively cheaper ticket prices. Nonetheless, they are comfortable and can be as well compared with economy class on a plane.
In early 2018, Kenya Railways introduced the Madaraka Express Website. The website was launched months after the challenges commuters faced while trying to acquire train tickets.
Commuters can now enjoy the convenience of online booking a trip on the Madaraka Express Train through the Kenya railway’s online booking system. It is fast and efficient.
How to book Madaraka Express online from the Website 2019
- Open the browser and go to me tickets.krc.co.ke
- Click on your Preferred train
- Select your Starting station
- Key in or Select your desired destination
- Specify or select your travel date
- Select the coach type and indicate the number of passengers
- Enter your details (Full name, ID/Passport number, and Country)
- Select the payment option (Mpesa)
Once you make an online booking, you will receive an approval message which you will use the details to print the ticket at the departing station.
Fare chart
| Economy class | First class | |
| Nairobi – Mombasa: | 1000 shillings ($10) | 3,000 shillings ($30) |
Children under 3 years travel free. Children below 11 years pay half fare.
The formerly available means for booking the SGR tickets for the trains were either using the USSD Code *639# or physically walking to the respective station
- To book the train, dial the USSD code *639#
- Select the booking option, departing station, destination, travel date, class, and number of passengers. You can book up to a maximum of 5 passengers in one transaction. Enter passenger details, meaning the full names and passport numbers. For children indicate child. Select the payment option.
- You will receive the prompts Pay now, Pay late or Exit. When making a payment, enter the amount specified and enter your M-Pesa account PIN. You will receive a payment confirmation message, followed by a booking confirmation which will confirm the status of the transaction by showing the destination station, departure time, date of travel, selected class of travel, the coach number, and seat number.
- Finally, print the ticket at the self-service machines at the station or get the ticket from the special counter for M-pesa transactions. You can collect the ticket either on the day of travel or any day beforehand.