Kilifi · Coast
Transport
Airport distances & times, intercity buses, and local rides — everything you need to move around Kilifi and beyond.
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.
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 10 operators in Kilifi
| Operator | Route |
|---|---|
| Modern Coast | Nairobi ↔ Mombasa ↔ Malindi |
| Dreamline | Nairobi ↔ Mombasa |
| Mash Poa | Nairobi ↔ Mombasa ↔ Malindi |
| Easy Coach | Western Kenya ↔ Mombasa |
| Coast Bus | Mombasa ↔ Kilifi ↔ Malindi |
| Chania Coach | Nairobi ↔ Mombasa |
| Guardian Coach | Nairobi ↔ Mombasa ↔ Malindi |
| Pwani Tuktuk Shuttle | Kilifi ↔ Watamu ↔ Malindi |
| Matatu SACCOs (local) | Kilifi ↔ Mombasa ↔ Malindi |
| Boda boda stands | Within Kilifi & short trips |
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.