Best coverage nationwide and required to use M-Pesa. Buy at the airport with your passport.

Cheaper data bundles — a good second option in cities.

Set up data before you arrive (no M-Pesa though). Handy for the first hours.

Mobile money is king in Kenya — pay shops, taxis, even rent. Register with a Safaricom SIM (passport needed).

Carry some cash (KES)

Small vendors, matatus and markets are often cash-only. Keep small Kenyan shilling notes.

Cards (Visa / Mastercard)

Accepted in hotels, malls and bigger restaurants. Amex is rare. Notify your bank before travel.

Not mandatory but appreciated in restaurants if a service charge isn’t already added.

Kenya uses the UK-style 3-pin plug. Bring an adapter.

Languages: Swahili & English

English is widely spoken; a few Swahili words (“Jambo”, “Asante”) go a long way.

Corners · country page

Verified 64d ago

Kenya

Everything to have & know before you land in Kenya.

Travelling from

🧭 Quick facts

1 USD = 129 KES

Local time —

Swahili, English

Dial +254

Drives left

Plug G · ~230V

Rate refreshed today · Exchange rate is indicative, updated daily.

🗓️ When it's busiest

Events per month — peak around July.

📄 Entry — your passport

Select your passport above to see whether you need a visa or eTA for Kenya.

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4 required things left to sort

Tick as you go — your progress is kept on this device. The rest is comfort.

required only

eTA — required before travelRequired📄 Entry & DocsKenya replaced visas with an Electronic Travel Authorization (since Jan 2024). EVERY visitor must apply online before departure. EAC citizens are exempt.Source · etakenya.go.ke (official)official site

Passport valid 6+ monthsRequired📄 Entry & DocsYour passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.

Yellow fever certificateRequired💉 HealthRequired if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission; recommended otherwise. Carry the certificate.Source · WHO / consult a travel clinic

Google Maps (offline)Recommended Must-have appsDownload Nairobi/your regions offline — data can drop outside cities.

WhatsAppRecommended Must-have appsThe default way businesses, guides and hosts communicate in Kenya.

Proof of onward travelRecommended📄 Entry & DocsA return/onward ticket is sometimes requested on arrival.

Malaria preventionRecommended💉 HealthRisk at the coast and around Lake Victoria (low in Nairobi’s highlands). Ask a doctor about prophylaxis + use repellent.

Routine + Hep A / TyphoidRecommended💉 HealthBe up to date on routine vaccines; Hepatitis A and Typhoid are commonly advised for Kenya.

Travel insuranceRecommended💉 HealthCover medical care and evacuation (useful for safaris and remote areas).

GlovoGood to know Must-have appsFood and grocery delivery in Nairobi and other big towns.official site

Drink bottled / filtered waterGood to know💉 HealthTap water isn’t reliably potable — stick to sealed or filtered water.