Flights to Nairobi
If you're flying to Nairobi, there is a range of travel options available. If you need a direct flight, you can fly with British Airways and go from Heathrow to Nairobi directly. Prices start at around £570 for an inclusive return flight in economy class. Travelling Premier Economy gets you a place in the World Traveller Plus Cabin so you get complimentary drinks and a three-course meal along with plenty of legroom and a choice of entertainment. However, this means paying more than double the economy fare in most cases.
Kenya Airlines also do direct flights from the UK to Nairobi, usually charging under £500 for a return flight from Heathrow. However, be warned that browsing the Kenya Airlines website requires you to register before being told any prices.
However, if a £500 flight won't leave you much spending money for your trip, there are cheaper flights available as long as you're prepared to be flexible. The easiest way of cutting your fare is to get a flight to Nairobi via somewhere else. For example, Emirates Airlines go to Nairobi via Dubai, charging less than £420 for an inclusive return from Gatwick.
Kenya Airways are handy for cheaper, indirect flights, thanks to their arrangements with European airlines such as KLM and Brussels Airlines. If you're prepared to go via another European city(most commonly Amsterdam) you can get flights for £400 or less. However, for some people this represents too long a journey; a direct flight is around eight and a half hours, and stopovers can add several hours to that.
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is clean and efficient, especially in comparison to other African airports, and there is a choice of restaurants and shops. However, if you're used to travelling within Europe, Nairobi 's airport may seem old-fashioned in comparison.
You can get from the airport to Nairobi proper by taking one of the city's buses, and this is a very cheap option. However, if your flight lands at an antisocial time, you'll have to take a taxi. The fare should be less than £10 for a trip into central Nairobi, but always agree the fare before you start. Car hire is also an option. Multinational car hire firms such as Hertz and Avis operate from Nairobi Airport, or you could book through a comparison site such as www.carrentals.co.uk.
