When it comes to the festive season, everyone has their celebration tradition. While some choose to unite with their families, others go for fun and relaxation as they prepare for the coming year.
Mombasa and the entire coastal region is one of the top destinations for those seeking to unwind. The city’s renowned white-sand beaches such as Diani, Nyali, and Bamburi attract both local and international visitors.
Paired with world-class marine experiences like snorkeling, diving, and dhow cruises, Mombasa provides a unique blend of leisure and adventure.
SGR is the most preferred mode of transport to the coast owing to its efficiency. It offers cheap tickets at Sh1,500 for the Economy class and Sh4,500 for first class.
The most luxurious option is the Premium class, priced significantly higher. A one-way ticket costs Sh12,000, while a return trip is offered at a discounted rate of Sh20,000.
The standard journey departs from Nairobi at 9:40 am and arrives in Mombasa at 3:35 pm.
Kenya Railways on Monday announced the addition of a new Madaraka Express Passenger train to accommodate the expected surge in holiday travel along the Nairobi–Mombasa route. The extra train will operate daily from December 8, 2025, to January 5, 2026.
“We have introduced an additional Madaraka Express Passenger train to support the increased travel demand this festive season The service will run from 8th December 2025 to 5th January 2026 to ensure more passengers are accommodated and travel disruptions are minimized,” the corporation said.
According to the schedule, the additional train will depart from Nairobi at 9:40am, arrive in Voi at 1:35pm, and proceed to Mombasa, where it is expected to arrive at 3:55pm.
For the return leg, the train will always leave Mombasa at 4:30pm, stop in Voi at 6:15pm and arrive in Nairobi at 10:55 pm.
SGR had earlier announced that all premium class passenger trains are fully booked until February 2026.
“The demand for this premium class is high, so we are now going to order more coaches and equipment to ensure that everyone is accommodated. And for your information, we are booked until February,” SGR Managing Director Philip Mainga said.
“We are fully booked for Christmas; we do not have any seats, but we are willing to run special trains and ensure that Kenyans go to Mombasa and enjoy themselves and come back,” he added.
ALSO READ: 9 small business ideas to make money during Christmas season
