What to do 5 hour layover Nairobi
Nov 19th, 2009, 03:35 PM
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What to do 5 hour layover Nairobi
Hi all,
Cruising the forums to find something amusing for myself my last (and only) night in Nairobi. I'll be arriving from central Africa at JRO around 6:30 pm, and leaving JRO for home around midnight. I wonder what to do with myself and I'm toying with 2 options, appreciating any first-person knowledge. BTW no matter what, I'll have to eat well before the flight, so I guess that means I'm leaving the airport -- any restaurant suggestions? and does leaving the airport mean I'll have to buy a visa?
Option 1
Park myself at a nice hotel not too far from the airport and relax awhile. Which hotel is good for that purpose, and has a nice pool?
Option 2
Get a driver to take me around a bit -- what sights are available to me, given that I'm arriving after dark (stupid question, maybe, I am aware). I hear Nairobi isn't the best place to be driving at night either. If it matters, I am a female travelling alone -- not that that ever stops me
ha!
Cruising the forums to find something amusing for myself my last (and only) night in Nairobi. I'll be arriving from central Africa at JRO around 6:30 pm, and leaving JRO for home around midnight. I wonder what to do with myself and I'm toying with 2 options, appreciating any first-person knowledge. BTW no matter what, I'll have to eat well before the flight, so I guess that means I'm leaving the airport -- any restaurant suggestions? and does leaving the airport mean I'll have to buy a visa?
Option 1
Park myself at a nice hotel not too far from the airport and relax awhile. Which hotel is good for that purpose, and has a nice pool?
Option 2
Get a driver to take me around a bit -- what sights are available to me, given that I'm arriving after dark (stupid question, maybe, I am aware). I hear Nairobi isn't the best place to be driving at night either. If it matters, I am a female travelling alone -- not that that ever stops me
ha!
Nov 19th, 2009, 06:12 PM
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JRO is Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha, Tanzania... do you mean NBO for Nairobi? Given the timeframe, about the only off-airport option you have is the Panari Hotel. It's not too far from the airport, so you could have dinner there, then return. There was construction on the highway leading to the airport in late September and horrible traffic, so check with the hotel to see if that is still ongoing when you'll be there. The Carnivore Restaurant may also be an option, but it's further into town.
Nov 20th, 2009, 01:24 AM
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Panari the best option . The other option is that take driver with a good taxi company , especially those with Taxi kiosks at the international arrivals , have a two hours adventure in the city - just driving around . Grab a bugger or anything at Capital Center on Mombasa Road then get back to the airport .
Nov 20th, 2009, 01:45 AM
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I would not advise going into Nairobi city. Traffic can be dreadful with or without construction, and you need to allow yourself at least 2 hours to check in. Not because of sirline rules, but because of the customer-contemptuous security setup, which creates an enormous queue outside the terminal. And, because many Europe-bound flights leave between 10pm and 1am, the time that you'll need to check in is the worst.
Staying in the airport is not a good option, either. The place is generally unwelcoming (too bad that the airport facilities are not as welcoming as the personnel are).
Staying in the airport is not a good option, either. The place is generally unwelcoming (too bad that the airport facilities are not as welcoming as the personnel are).
Nov 20th, 2009, 05:23 AM
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5/hrs is really tight. If leaving the airport, you have to be back 2/hrs prior departure.
6pm is smack dab in the middle of evening rush hours and even the usual 10/min drive to the Panari can take an hour.
If leaving the airport, if you haven't spent anytime in Kenya, will require a Transit Visa @ US$10 or $20.
You'll have your luggage unless it's been marked for thru check to your home destination.
If you do get to the Panari they have The Pampas restaurant, much like the Carnivore in the city and which fine better than the latter. Not part of the hotel, on the 2nd floor (if I recall correctly), before hotel reception which is on the 3rd or 4th floor.
JKIA isn't the most welcoming and comfortable airport at which to wait, but sometimes you've got to. Find the Java Coffee House, get something to eat, read a book; some last minute souvenir shopping... it'll then be time to board.
6pm is smack dab in the middle of evening rush hours and even the usual 10/min drive to the Panari can take an hour.
If leaving the airport, if you haven't spent anytime in Kenya, will require a Transit Visa @ US$10 or $20.
You'll have your luggage unless it's been marked for thru check to your home destination.
If you do get to the Panari they have The Pampas restaurant, much like the Carnivore in the city and which fine better than the latter. Not part of the hotel, on the 2nd floor (if I recall correctly), before hotel reception which is on the 3rd or 4th floor.
JKIA isn't the most welcoming and comfortable airport at which to wait, but sometimes you've got to. Find the Java Coffee House, get something to eat, read a book; some last minute souvenir shopping... it'll then be time to board.
Nov 20th, 2009, 09:03 AM
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Hi 296,
As everyone has mentioned, 5 hrs isn't much time at all at NBO, as they want you back at least two - three hours before (we were told 3 hours one year by BA staff) and believe me it takes at least 2 hrs to get in the airport and go through security three times. (no kidding - it really is three times, at least with BA)
Your best bet is go to the restaurant on the 3rd floor in the airport & have a nice dinner - it's called Simba. You do have to leave the secured area to go there, but if your luggage is checked through to Amsterdam or London then you won't have to drag that around at least. Go in there & relax over a drink, or coffee or tea & they have some nice meals as well. Daniel took us there this past May - we came in from Zbar at 6 pm, he met us and we went for a nice leisurely dinner there until about 8:30. It was good!
I am not sure if you will have to pay the Transit Visa or not, but it would be worth it - there is no real comfortable place to sit in the airport for 5 hrs in the secured area. Lots of shops, but, all of the same things - run of the mill duty free stuff and a few 'souvenir' kind of places. There is a cafeteria kind of restaurant in there as well, it's like one of our food courts in miniature here - sandwiches, coffee, pstries.
If you do want to go there, come down the escalator after the passport visa control, past customs & as soon as you get out the doors where the touts & meeter/greeters line up, turn to your left and walk down to the end of the building. Turn left again and if you look ahead, you will see an elevator at the end of the building (you will be outside with the parking lot on your right) Take the elevator tho the third floor and you will see the entrance to Simba Restaurant.
As everyone has mentioned, 5 hrs isn't much time at all at NBO, as they want you back at least two - three hours before (we were told 3 hours one year by BA staff) and believe me it takes at least 2 hrs to get in the airport and go through security three times. (no kidding - it really is three times, at least with BA)
Your best bet is go to the restaurant on the 3rd floor in the airport & have a nice dinner - it's called Simba. You do have to leave the secured area to go there, but if your luggage is checked through to Amsterdam or London then you won't have to drag that around at least. Go in there & relax over a drink, or coffee or tea & they have some nice meals as well. Daniel took us there this past May - we came in from Zbar at 6 pm, he met us and we went for a nice leisurely dinner there until about 8:30. It was good!
I am not sure if you will have to pay the Transit Visa or not, but it would be worth it - there is no real comfortable place to sit in the airport for 5 hrs in the secured area. Lots of shops, but, all of the same things - run of the mill duty free stuff and a few 'souvenir' kind of places. There is a cafeteria kind of restaurant in there as well, it's like one of our food courts in miniature here - sandwiches, coffee, pstries.
If you do want to go there, come down the escalator after the passport visa control, past customs & as soon as you get out the doors where the touts & meeter/greeters line up, turn to your left and walk down to the end of the building. Turn left again and if you look ahead, you will see an elevator at the end of the building (you will be outside with the parking lot on your right) Take the elevator tho the third floor and you will see the entrance to Simba Restaurant.
Nov 20th, 2009, 01:52 PM
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Lynda, not really, many do likewise.
With two airports in Nairobi, I denote the international one as JKIA (Jomo Kenyatta Intl airport) and the domestic Wilson as WIL. So no, JKIA isn't JRO.
But even in Tanzania where JRO is the airport code for Kili, many refer to it as KIA (Kilimanjaro Intl Airport) with ARK being the domestic airport at Arusha.
Have a good one!
With two airports in Nairobi, I denote the international one as JKIA (Jomo Kenyatta Intl airport) and the domestic Wilson as WIL. So no, JKIA isn't JRO.
But even in Tanzania where JRO is the airport code for Kili, many refer to it as KIA (Kilimanjaro Intl Airport) with ARK being the domestic airport at Arusha.
Have a good one!
Nov 20th, 2009, 03:51 PM
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JKIA, JRO, NBO, KIA, JFK...
LOL
Wait that's the poster who had trouble distinguishing the devil smiley from the clown smiley.
296 Vancourver, if you are at NBO for 5 hours, I'd spend the time refining your notes for a Fodor's report, scrolling through your photos, and recalling the highlights of your trip. As others have mentioned 5 hours seems like a long time, but depending on your arriving flight, you might not have 5 hours. There are indeed several security lines and stations. While it's not exactly welcoming, the airport is not that bad.
Panari Hotel is 15 minutes away from the airport.
I've just remained at the airport with a timeframe like yours.
Have a great trip.
LOL
Wait that's the poster who had trouble distinguishing the devil smiley from the clown smiley.
296 Vancourver, if you are at NBO for 5 hours, I'd spend the time refining your notes for a Fodor's report, scrolling through your photos, and recalling the highlights of your trip. As others have mentioned 5 hours seems like a long time, but depending on your arriving flight, you might not have 5 hours. There are indeed several security lines and stations. While it's not exactly welcoming, the airport is not that bad.
Panari Hotel is 15 minutes away from the airport.
I've just remained at the airport with a timeframe like yours.
Have a great trip.
Nov 28th, 2009, 09:39 AM
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What a bonehead I am! I forgot which forum I posted my question in, and all week I've been wondering why no-one was answering tripadvisor or thorntree! Middle-age memory lapse, happening more every day it seems. Ha! I should have remembered that I posted to the NICEST forum! Well, I wanted to respond right away and offer my apologies .... now I'm going to read all of your replies. Thanks so much!
Nov 28th, 2009, 09:55 AM
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Hi there, Okay I have read all the posts and a second apology is in order. I meant to say NBO (at least my heading indicating Nairobi was correct). Thanks to all of your for your advice! One further question about how much time to allot to go through security if I am coming from an unsecured area (Simba, for example.)In other words ... (1) I arrive at the airport and check in at the counter, getting rid of my luggage at the same time. (2) I should not proceed to security because the other side of the gate is not fun! (3) Instead, I go up to Simba restaurant and make notes for my trip report- hee hee, (4) I go back downstairs and line up at security. How long will security take, if as LyndaS says, she had to do it 3 times - and given the fact everyones seems to be at the airport at that time?
Nov 28th, 2009, 12:06 PM
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You go through security twice at NBO. Once to enter the terminal building (before you get to the check-in counter) and again at the gate. I haven't been to the Simba restaurant but from Lynda's description you can't get there the way you described.
First after deplaning from your Central Africa flight, you'll need to proceed through passport control to enter Kenya and purchase a transit visa, then pick up your bags (if they're not checked through, proceed through customs and follow Lynda's directions above.
After you're done at the restaurant, you'll go through security to enter the terminal building, recheck your bags (if necessary), go through passport control to exit Kenya, head upstairs to the departures area and go through gate security. I'd wait until close to departure to go through gate security as there's nothing but a waiting area on the other side.
First after deplaning from your Central Africa flight, you'll need to proceed through passport control to enter Kenya and purchase a transit visa, then pick up your bags (if they're not checked through, proceed through customs and follow Lynda's directions above.
After you're done at the restaurant, you'll go through security to enter the terminal building, recheck your bags (if necessary), go through passport control to exit Kenya, head upstairs to the departures area and go through gate security. I'd wait until close to departure to go through gate security as there's nothing but a waiting area on the other side.
Nov 28th, 2009, 02:42 PM
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Hi 296, what Patty says is correct. Now, just to confuse things even more, Patty - is there two buildings at NBO - one for departures & one for arrivals? Something tells me there is. If so - Simba is definitely in the same building as arrivals, but you must leave the building & the secured area to get there, as Patty says.
Patty - the three times security is for BA flights - once (for everyone)as you go in the main door, and then twice when you get up to the gate area. There is a preliminary check as soon as you get in the gate door, then there is a sitting area - followed by another security check before the final sitting area where you wait for your flight. Putting your bags thru the scanner gets pretty old at this point!
296 - I can always ask Daniel to meet you at the airport to pick up the citronella wristband sample you were going to give Clamian to give to Daniel from me. He can then have coffee with you at Simba and make sure you are in the right place & get back on your flight! Just let me know if you want me to ask him.
Patty - the three times security is for BA flights - once (for everyone)as you go in the main door, and then twice when you get up to the gate area. There is a preliminary check as soon as you get in the gate door, then there is a sitting area - followed by another security check before the final sitting area where you wait for your flight. Putting your bags thru the scanner gets pretty old at this point!
296 - I can always ask Daniel to meet you at the airport to pick up the citronella wristband sample you were going to give Clamian to give to Daniel from me. He can then have coffee with you at Simba and make sure you are in the right place & get back on your flight! Just let me know if you want me to ask him.
Nov 30th, 2009, 10:05 AM
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I didn't realize BA had 2 gate security checks. Lynda, if you mean the baggage claim/customs/arrivals hall area, yes you could say that's another building. It's in the middle of the airport connected to the gate area by the 2 ramps to passport control and surrounded by parking.
Dec 1st, 2009, 05:30 PM
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Ooooo, Lynda, what a great idea! I'd love to chat with Daniel, it it's not inconvenient for him!
Patty, I'm understanding the process well, I think, but I've been told I would not need a transit visa. Are you sure about that? (And yes, I understand the logic that the restaurant is technically off-grounds of the aiport, but really now....) What does it cost, $20? Oh well.
Unfortunately my luggage will not be checked through from Central Africa because it's on its own ticket. Does that mean it's better for both me and my luggage to go eat together, rather than get on line, check the luggage, leave, etc etc.
Patty, I'm understanding the process well, I think, but I've been told I would not need a transit visa. Are you sure about that? (And yes, I understand the logic that the restaurant is technically off-grounds of the aiport, but really now....) What does it cost, $20? Oh well.
Unfortunately my luggage will not be checked through from Central Africa because it's on its own ticket. Does that mean it's better for both me and my luggage to go eat together, rather than get on line, check the luggage, leave, etc etc.
Dec 1st, 2009, 06:43 PM
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No I'm not sure but when you go through passport control to exit Kenya, they'll be looking for your entry information. But perhaps there's a way around it. I wouldn't be surprised. If you do need one, it's $10 through the end of the year. Don't know if they've extended that rate. They reduced the visa fees by half this year.
What airline are you flying in from and what airline are you flying out on? You may still be able to through check through with separate tickets.
What airline are you flying in from and what airline are you flying out on? You may still be able to through check through with separate tickets.
Dec 1st, 2009, 09:08 PM
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Hi Patty,
Well I fly in on Rwanda Air (just read that one of their planes crashed mid-November - sometimes internet is too much of a good thing, eh) and I fly out on Kenya Airways. I don't think they do a codeshare with one another anymore -- heard it's been suspended for a year and half until R. Air increased it fleet size. They've now done that with a European airline (prob Belgian), but still lagging with Kenya A.
Glad to hear VISA fee not much money anyway.
Well I fly in on Rwanda Air (just read that one of their planes crashed mid-November - sometimes internet is too much of a good thing, eh) and I fly out on Kenya Airways. I don't think they do a codeshare with one another anymore -- heard it's been suspended for a year and half until R. Air increased it fleet size. They've now done that with a European airline (prob Belgian), but still lagging with Kenya A.
Glad to hear VISA fee not much money anyway.
Dec 2nd, 2009, 07:54 AM
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Hi! Just came through Nairobi with the same situation. They seem to want to check your documentation at the gate about 2 to 3 hours early so I'm not sure that leaving the airport is that good of an idea.
There are alot of shops and found it to be a great time to do our shopping (since we were taking a puddle-jumper before that and had to watch the weight) and to pick up our last minute bottle of Amarula (alot cheaper here than at NRO).
I wish that we had known about the restaurant before as that would be a great option!
We just took atravelynn's advice and spent the time catching up with my journal, looking at the last day's pics and doing some reading.
There is not alot of seating before you go through your bag check at the gate but we did manage to capture 2 seats in the middle and took turns going shopping. Alot of people wanted our seats. And there are some interesting people there to watch as much as ones that you wished would leave you alone (a guy asked for my bottle of water and after I gave it to him, he drank some and tried to hand it back to me!)
There are alot of shops and found it to be a great time to do our shopping (since we were taking a puddle-jumper before that and had to watch the weight) and to pick up our last minute bottle of Amarula (alot cheaper here than at NRO).
I wish that we had known about the restaurant before as that would be a great option!
We just took atravelynn's advice and spent the time catching up with my journal, looking at the last day's pics and doing some reading.
There is not alot of seating before you go through your bag check at the gate but we did manage to capture 2 seats in the middle and took turns going shopping. Alot of people wanted our seats. And there are some interesting people there to watch as much as ones that you wished would leave you alone (a guy asked for my bottle of water and after I gave it to him, he drank some and tried to hand it back to me!)
