You may have heard about how train travel in Kenya can be a
delightful adventure. It is really something to look forward to as long as you
know what you’re doing.
If you haven’t taken a train in Kenya before, read on for
things you should know, like how to get to/through the railway station, how
passengers are searched at security checkpoints, if drinks can be purchased on
the train, and what the toilets are like.
How to Read Your Train Ticket — for Station Information
Go to the Right Departure Station!
Check the departure station carefully. It is recommended
that you find out how to get to your station in sufficient time before your
departure. If you accidently go to the wrong station, you will find that the
waiting room doesn’t show your train’s schedule at all. When you realize your
mistake, you may then miss your train as it will take more than half an hour to
transfer to the right departure station.If you miss your train, you cannot make
an alteration at the ticket window.
Don’t Get Off at the Wrong Station!
It is also important to correctly read the information for
the arrival station. For example, the Nairobi-bound train from Mombasa will
first reach Mtito Andei Railway Station and then Nairobi Railway Station.
Getting off the train at the wrong destination can cause you to pay a penalty
fare if you continue the journey too far. Pay attention to the announcements on
the train as they will tell you which station you have arrived at.
Luggage Allowance — Pack Smartly
If being organized is not an issue, packing is part of the
fun of train travel. Separate your belongings into large luggage and small
carry-on items. Important things, such as travel documents, tickets, money, and
valuable items should be kept on you at all times. Having a fanny pack or purse
is handy. Remember to put your tickets and ID/passport away safely after the
ticket checkpoints.
Packing light is the key point. You can find all kinds of
tips about packing light. However, if you have not been able to, the train
stewards will ask you to put any over-large luggage onto the luggage shelves at
the ends of the coaches, instead of on the overhead shelf at your seat.
Therefore, it is important to have your luggage zipped up or closed securely
using a combination lock.
Leave 2 Hours to Catch Your Train
If you are not a fan of taking risks, it is always better to
arrive early at the railway station. Nobody likes waiting around, but we
suggest you leave 2 hours to get to your train for the following reasons.
- Leave
Extra Time to Get to the Station —In Case of Traffic, Misdirection, and
Crowds
Some railway stations can be as vast as an airport and
situated a long way from the city center. It’s a good idea to leave your hotel
or last activity in plenty of time in case of traffic, queues, crowds, or misdirection.
Give yourself enough time to enjoy a relaxing journey. Usually 2 hours are
enough, but the time can be reduced if going a nearby station.
- Many
Things to Do Before Boarding— Long Distances and Lines
The distances between the ticket office, security check,
waiting room, and station platform can be quite long, and it is sometimes
necessary to walk from one side of the station to the other.
Remember that you are not doing this alone; there will be
hundreds of people doing the same thing, meaning that you might be standing in
waiting lines for a long time. You will probably need to be queuing in lines at
every bottleneck from the minute that you step into the train station.
Firstly, you will have to line up to pick up your ticket
(maybe half an hour or more, unless you’ve used our ticket delivery service or
got it in advance), then pass through a ticket and ID check followed by a
security check, locate and walk to your waiting area, then wait again in line
at the waiting room ticket gate, and walk maybe 10 minutes in order to board
the train.
- Things
to Do If You Get There Too Early
No time needs to be wasted, even if you get there early. For
first-timers, early arrival at the railway station gives you a good chance to
explore the station and observe the locals. You can purchase some food or
drinks at the shops so that you won’t go hungry during the journey. If you are
traveling with kids, an early arrival gives you some time to calm them down and
prepare for a good trip.
Bear in mind that the station will stop the check-in
facility 5 minutes before the train departs. So don’t lose yourself in the
stores at the train station. You are recommended to get to the waiting room at
least 30 minutes before the train departs (especially if you want a seat to
wait on).
- Security
Check Needed — Prepare Your Passport and Ticket
All passengers and luggage are required to pass through a
security check at the station entrance. Please prepare your train ticket and
ID/Passport/Travel Permit. You need to line up for the security check, just
like at an airport. After the security check keep your passport and train
ticket on your person, and don’t lock them in your suitcase, because you are
going to need them for another ticket check or two when you board the train.
There may already be a long line at the entrance, so you are
recommended to arrive at the train station early.
- Board
Smoothly —Get to the Right Waiting Room, Gate, Platform, Car, and Seat
Find the Right Waiting Room Using the LED Screens. After the
security check, you need to find the right waiting room. A train station may
have many waiting rooms for different trains. And usually the information on
the sreen is in English.
Look up at the large LED screens for your train number, and
see which waiting room is allocated to it. Your train number is a letter with
numbers displayed on the top middle part of your train ticket, such as M1 or
N1. A large LED screen shows different trains’ departure schedules in rotation,
so you might have to wait for the screen to change once or twice to see your
train information.
Usually the waiting room information shows the floor and
room number. You could ask someone near you for help to get to the right
waiting room, by pointing at your ticket then the LED screen.
- Get
to the Right Gate
A waiting room may not only have one platform gate (like in
an airport). There may be several gates going to different platforms to board
different trains,so don’t line up at the wrong gate.There are generally rows of
seats either side of a gate’s lining up aisle.
LED screens for each gate in each waiting room show
different trains’ numbers, departure times, and platform information. You can
listen to the broadcasts for boarding information.
- Get
to the Right Platform
Once you get to the right gate, generally, you can check-in
with your train ticket15 minutes before departure. Before you walk along the
long corridors to the platform, look up at the LED screen for the last time and
find your platform number. Look for your platform number showing which stairway
to walk down to get to your platform.
- Getting
to Your Seat/Bunk
Check your train ticket for your car number as you descend
to the platform. There will be staff at each train car door. You could show
your ticket to a member of staff. He/she will check that you are boarding the
right train car.
Once on the right car, find your bunk number or seat number,
usually displayed on the luggage racks around head height.
Know What’s on the Train — Food, Water, and Toilets
Different trains offer different services and facilities.
- Seating:
All trains are fully air-conditioned.
- First
Class Seating: The seats are adjustable, just like seats on a plane, for
you to sit comfortably. What’s more, there is a 220V AC socket under each
seat for your devices.
- Second
Class Seating: The seats are fixed. No provision for charging your
devices.
- Food:
High-speed trains offer different types of set meals (All foods aboard our
service are Halaal Certified.).First Class ticket travelers can go to the
restaurant car to have a meal, where they offer made-to-order meals.
Second class travelers buy a set meal or some snacks and drinks from the
attendant’s trolley.
- Water:
Free boiled/cold water is available between the coaches.
- Toilets:
Chinese/Western-style toilets and handicapped restrooms are available
between the coaches.
- LED
screen: Every coach with an LED screen indicates the speed of the train,
temprature and time.
- Luggage
racks: There are luggage racks over the seats at either side of a coach.
You can take a 24-inch suitcase on board and place it on a luggage rack.
There are some shelves between the coaches for large baggage. Shelves for
large suitcases, suitable for a 70cm (28-inch) suitcase.
Travel Safely— Safety First
Trains in Kenya are fairly safe, yet some good advice never
hurts.
When you are traveling with young children, keep them close
and an eye on them. Don’t allow them to run up and down the train
coach/platform, or lose them in the station. Beware of pinching your fingers in
the (automatic) doors. Hold onto the hand knobs and rails while walking inside
the coach. The washroom floor can be slippery, so be careful in there.
Don’t leave your valuable belongings unattended.
There is a power socket under the seat (First Class Coaches)
or on the small table (Second Class Coaches), which can be used to recharge
your devices. Never leave them unattended. Your identification documents and
ticket should always be kept with you.
Have A Safe Trip!!