Kilifi · Coast
Transport
Airport distances & times, intercity buses, and local rides — everything you need to move around Kilifi and beyond.
We provide transport to Nearby Airport, Malindi, Vipingo and Mombasa Airport
Book a taxi with our concierge and travel comfortably to any airport along the coast.
Airports
Getting to & from the airports
Kilifi sits between Mombasa and Malindi. Here are the main airports serving the region, with distance and travel time to Kilifi town.
| Airport | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
Moi International Airport (Mombasa) Closest international airport. Taxis, hotel transfers and matatus available at the terminal. | ≈ 55 km | 1 hr – 1 hr 15 min |
Diani / Ukunda Airstrip South of Mombasa via the Likoni ferry. Best for guests flying into Diani. | ≈ 110 km | 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min |
Jomo Kenyatta Intl (Nairobi) Long haul by road; most visitors fly JKIA → MBA then drive down. Overnight buses run Nairobi–Mombasa. | ≈ 500 km | 6 hr 30 min – 8 hr by road |
Wilson Airport (Nairobi) Domestic flights Wilson → Mombasa/Malindi, then a short transfer to Kilifi. | ≈ 500 km | 1 hr flight + 1 hr drive |
Malindi Airport Small domestic airport north of Kilifi. Seasonal flights from Nairobi; taxi transfer needed. | ≈ 60 km | 1 hr – 1 hr 15 min |
Times are typical and depend on traffic, ferry queues (Mombasa) and road conditions.
Airlines operating at Malindi Airport
Domestic carriers flying into Malindi — the closest airport north of Kilifi.
Airlines operating at Moi International Airport (Mombasa)
International and regional carriers flying into Mombasa — the closest international airport.
Buses & matatus
Travel to any city in Kenya
Kilifi is on the Mombasa–Malindi highway, so buses and matatus run constantly. Here are common routes and the top operators serving the town.
Popular routes from Kilifi
Kilifi → Mombasa
1 hr 30 min – 2 hr
Frequent matatus and coaches via the Mombasa–Malindi road.
Kilifi → Malindi
1 hr – 1 hr 15 min
Short hop north; matatus every few minutes.
Kilifi → Nairobi
7 hr – 9 hr
Overnight coaches depart late afternoon/evening.
Kilifi → Watamu
30 – 40 min
Quick trip south; matatus and tuk-tuks.
Kilifi → Lamu
4 hr – 5 hr
Via Malindi; longer in the rainy season.
Top Bus operators in Kilifi
Tap a operator’s name to book your seat online.
Buscar
Compare & book tickets across many Kenyan bus companies.
Dreamline
Express coaches, Nairobi ↔ Mombasa, AC & USB.
Mash Poa
Reliable overnight service, Nairobi ↔ Mombasa ↔ Malindi.
Tahmeed
Comfortable coaches along the coast & upcountry.
Tawakal Coaches
Coastal & upcountry routes, online schedules.
Kilifi Stage
Kilifi Stage
The main matatu and bus stage in Kilifi town — your starting point for coaches and matatus heading to Mombasa, Malindi, Watamu and beyond. Approx. 5–7 km from Nadina Villas (≈10 min by tuk-tuk / boda).
How to take a bus or matatu to Malindi & Mombasa
Kilifi → Malindi (north)
- 1. Go to Kilifi Stage (or flag a matatu on the highway).
- 2. Board a northbound matatu labelled “Malindi”.
- 3. Pay the conductor (cash, small note). Fare ≈ KSh 150–250.
- 4. Drop-off: Malindi town stage / bus park — central, close to the beach road.
Kilifi → Mombasa (south)
- 1. Go to Kilifi Stage and find the Mombasa matatus.
- 2. Board a southbound matatu or Coast Bus labelled “Mombasa”.
- 3. Pay the conductor. Fare ≈ KSh 200–350.
- 4. Drop-off: Mombasa town — usually Mwembe Tayari / Makadara, close to the CBD.
Tip: keep small cash ready, and confirm the final drop-off point with the conductor before you board.
Kibaoni Stage, Kilifi
Kibaoni is a busy residential area in central Kilifi, just a few minutes from the main town. From Nadina Villas, take a tuk-tuk or boda boda and ask for “Kibaoni stage”. Matatus to Mombasa and Malindi also pass through here, so it’s a handy alternative pickup point if you’re already in town.
Schedules and fares change — confirm with the operator or a local agent before travelling.
Local transport
Getting around Kilifi
From airport transfers to a quick boda ride — here are your local options. Book any of them through our concierge.
Private taxi
From KSh 2,500 (airport)
Door-to-door cars to the airport, beaches or anywhere in town. Pre-book for reliable, fixed-fare transfers.
Boda boda (motorbike)
From KSh 100
Fast, cheap rides for one person around Kilifi and short hops. Great for beating traffic.
Car rental (self-drive)
From KSh 4,000/day
Hire a car for a day or your whole stay. Delivered to the villa. A valid licence is required.
Tuk-tuk & matatu
From KSh 50
Shared tuk-tuks for short local trips and 14-seater matatus along the main highway.
Book your transport
Tell us where and when — our concierge arranges taxis, airport transfers, car hire and boda rides on WhatsApp or by phone.