Landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after a long flight is no time to be negotiating a fare at the kerb. Between immigration, baggage and the walk out to a crowded pickup area, the last thing you want is uncertainty about who is collecting you and what it will cost. A pre-booked chauffeur removes all of that — your driver is already there, the price is already agreed, and you go straight from arrivals to a clean, comfortable car.
This guide covers everything you need to know about a smooth JKIA airport transfer in Nairobi.
Arrivals: how the pickup actually works
JKIA's main terminals (1A, 1B, 1C and 1D) share a single arrivals zone. With CrestDrive Nairobi, your driver tracks your flight and is waiting in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign before you clear customs. There is no hunting for a car in the car park and no phone tag — you walk out, meet your driver, and they help with your bags to the vehicle.
Because we watch the inbound flight, an early or late landing is handled automatically. You also get a generous free waiting buffer (see below), so the normal delays of a big international airport never turn into a problem.
What a JKIA transfer costs
The single biggest difference between a chauffeur and a metered taxi or a ride-hailing app is certainty. Our fares are fixed and per vehicle — agreed before you travel, not racked up on a meter and never hit with surge pricing.
As a rough guide for the whole vehicle, one way from JKIA:
- CBD, Upper Hill, Kilimani: KES 3,500 – 4,500
- Westlands, Lavington, Gigiri: KES 4,000 – 5,000
- Karen, Runda and outer suburbs: KES 4,500 – 6,000
You can see the full, current rate card on our fixed pricing page. Your exact figure is confirmed when you book, so there are no surprises at the end of the ride.
Waiting time and flight delays
Every CrestDrive airport transfer includes 60 minutes of free waiting time. That buffer is deliberately generous — it covers immigration queues, baggage reclaim and the occasional delay, so a slow arrival doesn't cost you anything. If you are held up well beyond an hour, waiting is charged at a clear hourly rate rather than a vague "extra," so you always know where you stand.
Why travellers choose a chauffeur over a taxi
- No queue, no haggling. Your car is booked and waiting; you skip the rank entirely.
- One fixed price. Quoted up front, for the whole vehicle, for up to four passengers — not charged per head.
- A driver you can reach. The same professional every time, who knows the routes and the timing.
- Comfort after a long day. A clean, air-conditioned Mazda CX-5 with room for your luggage and bottled water on board.
For the full range of what we offer beyond the airport run — hourly hire, corporate and event transport — see our airport transfer and chauffeur services.
Booking your JKIA transfer
Booking is simple. Send your flight details, arrival time and drop-off address and we confirm availability and your fixed fare. There is no online payment — bookings are inquiries we confirm by phone, email or WhatsApp, and you settle after the ride by cash, M-Pesa or bank transfer.
When you are ready, book your ride or message us directly on WhatsApp. If you'd like to know who will be driving you, read a little about your driver first.
Arrive in Nairobi the calm way — your driver, your schedule, a price you agreed before you left home.