The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has made it very efficient and economical for Kenyans and tourists to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa in half the time compared to using buses. Moreover, the fares of the Madaraka Express SGR train rarely change with the seasons, unlike buses, which hike fares, especially during Christmas and New Year holidays. You can effortlessly book your SGR train ticket online or through the USSD code and pay by M-Pesa without leaving your seat.
When you travel on the Madaraka Express SGR train, you not
only enjoy the comfort it provides, but you also appreciate the breathtaking
landscapes and nature of Tsavo National Park as the train crisscrosses through
the countryside.
In this article, I will show you how to book your SGR train
ticket and pay for the e-ticket via M-Pesa pay bill.
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Madaraka Express Fare
The Kenya Railways has adjusted the Madaraka Express SGR
train fares effective January 2024. The current fares have been adjusted upward
by 50%. For instance, you will now pay Ksh. 1,500 to travel from Nairobi to
Mombasa, upward from Ksh. 1,000. Children between 3 to 11 years will pay half
of this cost.
The chart below shows the new SGR fares between the various
stations.
How to Book SGR Train Online
You can book your SGR ticket through the Safaricom USSD code
*639# or through the e-ticketing portal. You can also buy tickets over the
counter at the respective departing station or by calling the Madaraka Express
train booking number 0709 388888.
The steps for booking an SGR ticket online can be summarized
below:
- Visit
the SGR online ticketing portal
- Select
departure and destination details
- Choose
class and number of persons travelling
- Enter
booking information
- Confirm
trip summary
- Pay
for the ticket
- Receive
your SGR e-ticket
Follow the steps below to book and pay for Madaraka Express
online ticket:
1. Visit the SGR online ticketing portal
Kenya Railway’s online booking portal is very easy to use.
All you have to do is to open your favourite web browser and enter this address
“https://metickets.krc.co.ke”, without quotes. You can alternatively go to
Google.com and search for “book sgr online”
2. Select departure and destination details
Once on the portal, fill in the forms at the top by
selecting the train type as Express, for Madaraka Express. Also, select the
station you want to board from, and then your destination station. Finally,
choose your departure date and time and click on Book Train.
Choose departure and arrival details.
3. Choose the class and number of persons traveling
On the next page, the train number, the number of seats
available per class and ticket fares are displayed. Your departure and arrival
times are also displayed under the fares chart. You can modify your initial
details by clicking on the plus (+) at the top of the page.
The next step is to choose the couch type and enter the
total number of people travelling and then click Book a Train. Take
note of the age of kids travelling with you, if any. Children between 3 and 11
years only pay half the ticket price while those below 3 years will board free.
Select total number of people travelling, adults and
children.
4. Enter SGR online booking information
Enter personal details of persons travelling. These include
full names, age, gender, nationality and identification. Names should match
those on ID or passport. Also take note that each adult above 18 years must
provide own ID or passport.
Enter full names, ages and identification details.
Next, enter your M-Pesa number, under payment
details, and then click Proceed to payment.
5. Confirm trip summary
On the next page, confirm the booking details. Check that
your travel date, departure and arrival, train class, arrival terminus and
passenger names are okay.
Next, agree to the terms and conditions and check in the box
“I’m not a robot”. You can choose to Pay Now or Pay Later by clicking on the
appropriate button.
Pay for the SGR ticket
A Lipa na M-Pesa payment prompt will be sent to the M-Pesa
number you provided. Confirm the amount indicated on your phone, enter your
M-Pesa PIN and send to complete the payment.
If the payment fails, you will be given an alternative
method of payment through the SGR Madaraka Express M-Pesa paybill number
809888. Follow through with the payment instructions and then click Confirm
Payment.
Receive your SGR e-ticket
After a successful payment, your e-ticket details will be
sent to you. Keep these details and remember to carry your original
identification don’t the travel date.
Useful Information When Boarding Madaraka Express
- Arrive
1 hour before the departure time indicated on the ticket.
- Carry
original identification documents during travel.
- Ticket
cancellation and rescheduling must be done 48 hours before the travel time
booked.
- Cancellations
and rescheduling are done over the counter at the nearest Madaraka Express
Passenger Service station. Carry your original ID and a copy.
- Tickets
are not transferable.
- Only
pay from your M-Pesa account. Bank transactions will not be successful.
- Alcoholic
drinks are not allowed into the station and onboard the trains.
- Sprays
with an inflammable sign, sharp objects and pets are strictly prohibited.
- Group
bookings of over 20 passengers must be made 9 days to the travel date.
- The
USSD option is available 24/7 and allows you to book up to 10 persons per
transaction
- You
can book up to 60 days ahead of the travel date.
- The
weight of your luggage should not exceed 30kg and not measure more than
1.6 metres in height, width, and length.
1. Understanding SGR Ticket Confirmation
1.1 What is SGR Ticket Confirmation?
SGR ticket confirmation refers to verifying your ticket's
validity and ensuring your seat on the train. Once you book your ticket, you
will receive a confirmation email or SMS containing essential details such as
the travel date, train number, and seat number.
1.2 Importance of SGR Ticket Confirmation
Confirming your SGR ticket is vital to guarantee your seat
on the train. You may encounter difficulties boarding or being assigned a
different seat without confirmation. Following the steps outlined in this
guide, you can avoid unnecessary hassles and enjoy a stress-free journey.
2. How to Confirm Your SGR Ticket
Two convenient methods for confirming your SGR ticket are
checking your booking status online and printing your ticket.
2.1 Checking Your Booking Status Online
To check your booking status online, follow these simple
steps:
- Visit
the official SGR website or app.
- Navigate
to the booking status section.
- Enter
your booking details, including origin, destination, travel date, train
type, preferred class, and seat(s).
- Submit
the information and wait for the system to retrieve your booking status.
- Review
the results to confirm your seat assignment and other details.
2.2 Printing Your Ticket
Printing your SGR ticket provides a tangible confirmation
document for your journey. Here's how to print your ticket:
- After
successfully booking your ticket online, you will receive an SMS
confirmation with a unique code.
- Retain
this SMS message; you will need the e-ticket confirmation code to print
your ticket.
- At
the train station, locate the self-service ticketing machines available at
the ticketing offices.
- Follow
the on-screen instructions to print your ticket using the e-ticket
confirmation code received via SMS.
- Once
printed, keep your ticket secure until your travel date.
Troubleshooting SGR Ticket Confirmation
Encountering difficulties during the ticket confirmation
process is not uncommon. If you face any challenges, follow these steps for
assistance:
- Seek
Help from Passenger Stewards: If you experience problems while printing
your ticket, approach the Passenger Stewards stationed at the ticketing
office. They will provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure a
successful ticket confirmation.
- Contact
Customer Care: If you cannot be physically present at an SGR office,
contact the customer care team. Use the following contact details to
communicate your concerns:
- SGR
Customer Care Number: 0709 388 887 / 0709 388 888 / 0709 907 000
- Email: [email protected]
- Postal
Address: P.O Box 3012-Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
Tips for Avoiding Ticket Confirmation Problems for SGR
The SGR is a great way to travel between Nairobi and
Mombasa, but it can be frustrating if you need help confirming your ticket.
Here are some tips to help you avoid ticket confirmation problems:
- Book
your ticket early. The earlier you book your ticket, the more
likely you will avoid problems. If you wait until the last minute, you may
find that all the tickets are sold out, or there are technical problems
with the website or app.
- Check
your booking status regularly. Once you have booked your ticket,
check your booking status regularly. This will help you ensure that your
ticket has been confirmed and that there are no problems with your
payment.
- Print
your ticket as soon as possible. Once your ticket has been
confirmed, print it out immediately. This will help to avoid problems if
there are any technical problems with the website or app.
- Bring
your ticket with you to the station. When you arrive at the
station, bring your ticket with you. This will help ensure that you can
board the train without any problems.
How to Change or Cancel Your SGR Ticket
If you need to change or cancel your SGR ticket, you can do
so by following these steps:
To change your ticket:
- Visit
the SGR website or app and log in to your account.
- Click
on the "My Tickets" tab.
- Select
the ticket you want to change and click the "Change" button.
- Enter
the new travel details and click on the "Submit" button.
To cancel your ticket:
- Visit
the SGR website or app and log in to your account.
- Click
on the "My Tickets" tab.
- Select
the ticket you want to cancel and click the "Cancel" button.
- Enter
your reason for cancellation and click on the "Submit" button.
Cancellation and refund policies:
- Tickets
can be canceled up to 48 hours before the departure time for individual
travel and 72 hours before the departure time for group travel.
- There
is a 30% cancellation fee for individual tickets and a 50% for group
tickets.
- Refunds
will be processed within 30 working days of cancellation.
Conclusion
Confirming your SGR ticket is crucial to securing your seat
on Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway. Following the steps outlined in this guide,
you can easily confirm your ticket online or print it at the station. Remember
to retain your e-ticket confirmation code and contact customer care or seek
assistance from Passenger Stewards if you encounter any issues. Enjoy a smooth
and comfortable journey on the SGR!
FAQs
What is the difference between a booking confirmation and a ticket confirmation?
A booking confirmation is received after you book your
ticket and contains your travel details. However, it does not guarantee a seat.
Ticket confirmation is a document with a barcode that confirms your seat and is
required for boarding.
How long does it take to receive a ticket confirmation?
Ticket confirmations are typically received within minutes.
However, it may take longer during peak times due to system congestion.
What should I do if I lose my ticket confirmation?
If you need to place your ticket confirmation, contact the
SGR customer service line for assistance reprinting your ticket.
Can I check my SGR ticket status through SMS?
There is no specific procedure to check your SGR ticket
status through SMS. Please use the online methods mentioned in this guide for
ticket confirmation.
What if I experience delays in receiving the ticket confirmation message?
If you encounter delays in receiving the ticket confirmation
message, you can still print your ticket using the M-Pesa transaction message
as proof of payment. Provide your mobile and account numbers to retrieve your
ticket at the station.
Can I change my seat after confirming my SGR ticket?
Changing your seat is generally impossible once your ticket is confirmed and you have a seat assigned. However, contact the SGR customer care team for further assistance with specific inquiries or exceptional circumstances.