Finding Cheap Flights to Nairobi
To get the best price, book your flight 3 to 4 months in advance and avoid flying during the peak safari months of July and August. Use Google Flights to track prices and set alerts for your specific travel dates to capture drops in fare.
- Set up fare alerts. Go to Google Flights, enter your departure city and NBO (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport). Toggle the 'Track prices' switch. You will receive an email whenever the price for your selected route fluctuates.
- Check alternative airports. If flying from Europe or the Middle East, compare prices to Mombasa (MBA). Sometimes a domestic flight from Mombasa to Nairobi is cheaper than a direct long-haul to NBO, though it adds travel time.
- Be flexible with your departure day. Mid-week flights (Tuesday and Wednesday) are consistently 15-20% cheaper than Friday or Sunday departures. Use the calendar view in flight search engines to see a grid of pricing for the entire month.
- Use regional hubs. If you cannot find a cheap direct flight, look for flights into Addis Ababa (ADD) or Kigali (KGL). Ethiopian Airlines often runs competitive sales into these hubs, and a short connection to Nairobi is frequently cheaper than a direct premium carrier route.
- Are budget airlines a good option for flying into Nairobi?
- Budget carriers operating into Nairobi (like low-cost regional ones) often have strict baggage fees that negate savings. Stick to full-service carriers for international long-haul flights to avoid hidden costs.
- Which month is the most expensive to fly to Nairobi?
- July and August are the peak of the Great Migration and safari season; prices for flights and ground logistics often double during these months.