I am arriving late in Nairobi (11pm)......where is a
reasonable, safe place to stay so late in the evening? Or
is the airport open 24 hours? I am a single white female!
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The Nairobi airport is open 24hrs, and untill you go through
the gate after collecting luggage etc it is fine to be on
your own. The area after the gate is open to the public
and, when I arrived, rather intimidating. You are quickly
surrounded by taxi drivers wanting to take you into town. I
went to the Venture Africa desk and they got a taxi to take
me to my hotel. I think they are more likely to get you a
relatively safe/complete taxi! My advice would be to book a
hotel or hostel for the night you arrive and when you get to
the airport, get a taxi out as soon as poss. I have heard
that the busses or shared taxis from the airport to town are
very dangerous (ie you will be lucky to get into town with
any of your money/luggage not stolen)
Good luck and enjoy you trip,
angela
I have been to Nairobi several times and arrived late at
night. I would definitely book some accommodation before
you arrive - if your looking for a nice budget hotel try the
Sirona Hotel (not Serena) in Parklands. It costs about USD
30 per night (which is cheap for Nairobi!). I would ask at
the travel counters for a taxi because you do tend to be a
bit smothered when you come out of the airport. Most
taxis are absolute rust buckets, but I have always
managed to get a decent one. It's not that bad, just keep
your wits about you and make sure that you have no valuables
like watches and necklaces where the locals can see them.
You should have no problems.
It's really not that bad, just make sure you do not wear any
jewellery including a watch and keep a beady eye on all your
belongings. Obviously loads of tourists arrive and depart
from the airport in the middle of the night and so the area
is a prime target for theives. My advice on hotels is to pay
over what you would normally be prepared to pay for a room.
Nairobi during the day is totally different to Nairobi at
night. We had a great time and it is an amazing town when
you have just stepped out of the bush! we stayed at the
hotel which has Buffalo Bills associated with it (can't
remember the name, it's in the book). You get to
associate with some of the colourful night dwellers in
the bar/hotel while playing pool against the local
hustlers! While we were there a bunch of Kiwis went looking
for something better and cheaper and were back within a
couple of hours! They have rooms up on the top floor which
are cheaper than the others. They do not have a bathroom,
but hey...who needs and ensuite when you're backpacking!?
You have to specifically ask for these rooms because you
will automatically get offered one of the more expensive
rooms!
Good luck!
I'm also looking at the same situation in reverse, my flight
flys out of Nairobi at 11:00pm. Any street savvy
suggestions from folks?
Thanks! Kat
To #4: In the airport is a sort of travellers rest room. It
is downstairs and somewhat hidden. You will need to ask
directions. It is a great haven away from the hordes -
quiet, big comfy sofas, clean rest rooms and a well stocked
bar. It costs between US$10-20 to enter but that includes
tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks, maybe snacks too - I
can't remember. I am not sure if it still exists but two
years ago when I passed thru Nairobi it did and believe me
it was like heaven when we had a ten hour stopover.
about that area. On my return journey (march 1998)I flew
from Zanzibar into Nairobi and then had about 10hrs to wait.
That was fine also. I don't know how you get to it from
Nairobi obviously, as I had arrived on another flight, but
if you ask I'm sure they'll tell you!
Angela
Book a room at the FairView Hotel relatively a quick drive from the Air port. Clean , Safe, ad charming. Affordable too. Grab a big black cab. They are safe and reliable.
Book a room at the FairView Hotel relatively a quick drive from the Air port. Clean , Safe, ad charming. Affordable too. Grab a big black cab. They are safe and reliable.