Nairobi from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Nairobi, when to go, the visa for British travellers and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 26 Oct 2026.
Plan my Nairobi tripDay to day in Nairobi, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | £9 | £11 |
| A balanced mix | £20 | £23 |
| Mostly restaurants | £30 | £33 |
- Local transport: about £3 a day. Taxi: £1 to start, then £0.29 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £6 a day for food.
- Tipping: about 10% where service is good.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: livingcost.org, en.wikivoyage.org, thekenyatimes.com; in GBP at today's rate.
When to go
27°F
29°M
29°A
27°M
25°J
25°J
26°A
26°S
28°O
28°N
26°D
26°
The most pleasant months are May to March. July is the driest month (16 mm of rain) and April the wettest (114 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Visa for British travellers
Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) - Standard
Fee: $30 a person.
Allow at least 14 days before you fly.
Official source: etakenya.go.ke, checked 2026-10-26. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Nairobi
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanagenature reserve · a couple of hours
Public visit is one hour daily at 11:00; book online in advance
Karen Blixen Museummuseum · a couple of hoursEasily combined with the elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre in one Karen/Langata outing
Nairobi National Museummuseum · a couple of hours- KICC rooftop viewing towerviewpoint · a couple of hours
Bomas of Kenyaother · a couple of hours- Sheldrick Elephant Orphanagenature reserve · a couple of hours
Visiting hour daily at 11:00; arrive 10 minutes before
Giraffe Centrenature reserve · a couple of hours
Karura Forestpark · a couple of hours- Guided game drive in Nairobi National Parkexperience · half a day
- Kiambethu Tea Farm tour and lunch, Limuruexperience · half a day
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Nairobi cost?
Food and getting around come to about £11 a person a day eating street food, £23 with a balanced mix and £33 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Nairobi?
The most pleasant months are May to March. July is the driest month (16 mm of rain) and April the wettest (114 mm); daytime highs run from 25 to 29 °C over the year.
Do British travellers need a visa for Kenya?
Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) - Standard, $30. Checked on etakenya.go.ke on 2026-10-26; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Nairobi?
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Museum, KICC rooftop viewing tower, Bomas of Kenya.
Your whole Nairobi trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my Nairobi trip