SGR passenger train service from Nairobi to Mombasa fully booked

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger train service from Nairobi to Mombasa is fully booked until December 27, 2020 as travelers flock the coastal city to enjoy the festivities.

Bus operators are also fully booked with some increasing their operations upwards of 75 buses daily to meet the demand of travelers.

Just like previous years, Kenyans are taking advantage of the festive season to travel out of the busy capital to cap off a year – which has albeit been unlike any other – in style.

The Madaraka Express trains are recording full capacity at least for the next one week.

“The SGR has been fully booked since December 17, 2021…that tells you that local tourism has really improved,” said tour operator and Bella Safaris CEO George Njuguna.

Although available, air fares to Mombasa and Kisumu are said to have increased due to demand by at least 20 per cent.

Bus operators on the other hand are also fully booked until December 27, with many of them being forced to increase frequencies to match the demand from travelers.

At the Coast, hoteliers are reporting improved bookings with some indicating that their bookings have gone as high as 80 per cent.

However, hotels cannot realise the 100 per cent booking capacity due to the Ministry of Health guidelines set in place to ensure social distancing among hotel guests.

“To adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines, some hotels are avoiding to onboard more guests as this may breach the regulations…they’re taking in between 70-80 per cent,” added Mr. Njuguna.

While travel restrictions continue to threaten the international travel sector during the festive period, there is an opportunity for Kenyans to embrace local leisure tourism.