Booking your Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) ticket online in Kenya has never been easier since it was introduced. Whether you are planning a family vacation, a safari or a family vacation with Adequate Safaris understanding how to book SGR online can really save you a lot of money, time and stress. The SGR is considered as one of the most efficient and comfortable ways through which you can travel from major cities such as from Nairobi to Mombasa making it a top choice for both local and international tourists.
In this comprehensive guide by Adequate Safaris one of the best tours and travel companies in Kenya you will learn everything you need to know about how to book SGR online that is from step-by-step instructions to tips, schedules, payment options and frequently asked questions.
What is SGR?
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is a modern railway system that is operated by Kenya Railways Corporation. It connects major cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa and there are recent plans to include a route to Kisumu offering a fast, safe and affordable travel option.
The most popular train service that people utilize is the Madaraka Express which has significantly revolutionized travelling in Kenya by reducing the time spent in a journey. For instance, the journey time from Nairobi to Mombasa is approximately 6 hours which is a significant reduction in the time spent on the journey as opposed to when this transport system had not been introduced.
Why Book SGR Online?
Booking your SGR online comes with a number of advantages. Convenience you can book your ticket anytime anywhere without visiting the train station. This is the thing that most people want to enjoy travelling and comfort at the tips of their fingers. Time saving, booking SGR online helps you to avoid spending long queues at train stations especially during the peak travel peak seasons.
Secure payment is another advantage that you get from booking online as there are various payment methods such as M-PESA which makes transactions faster and safer. With online booking you have a guaranteed seat as the system ensures that you secure your preferred seat in advance. It’s ideal for tourists if you are planning to enjoy Kenya safari tours with Adequate Safaris booking SGR online simplifies your itinerary.
Requirements for Booking SGR Online
Before you start the booking process, make sure you have a valid National Identification Card (ID) or a passport. You also need a working phone number which is readily reachable such that you can be reached in case of anything happening or they need to verify a few things with you. Access to the internet is very important as you need to use the internet to access the website page of SGR and start the booking process. Make sure to have with you your travel details like number of passengers.
Step by Step Guide on How to Book SGR Online
1. Go to the Booking Portal
Start by visiting the official Madaraka Express website which will be your first step to booking SGR online.
2. Select Your Booking Type
Under this category choose the booking service you want which is between Madaraka Express and Premium Booking. The Madaraka express is considered to be the standard intercity train services that offers two seating positions. Economy class provides more affordable seating budget travellers and First Class which offer more spacious and comfortable seats and added amenities.
There are travellers that are seeking a more luxurious experience there is the Premium Booking option. This service features spacious, recliner seats and complementary refreshments coupled with prioritized boarding. The number of seats in this category are usually very limited as the Premium class is meant to offer more exclusive and secluded travel experiences.
3. Choose Trip Details
Select the departure and destination that you are interested in travelling for instance Nairobi Terminus to Mombasa Terminus. Then select the travel which you will choose from an online calendar that that you will choose from the online platform it has to be perfectly in line with the dates that you want to travel. Follow by choosing between Express Train which is very fast with few stops making it the very best option if you are in a hurry or under a tight schedule. Then there is the Inter-County Train which stops at all stations for accessibility. The Inter-County Train serves people within smaller towns and communities along the route making it more convenient for local travellers despite a longer trip duration.
4. Select Your Class
You can pick between Economy, First Class, or Premium depending your budget and comfort needs. The economy class offers a basic but comfort experience, on the other hand first class gives extra space and enhanced comfort while premium gives a more luxurious journey with added perks and exclusive services that are not found in other classes.
5. Enter Passenger Information
Provide full names and passport or National ID Numbers for the respective passengers. For children use the guardian’s ID or passport number. This should be followed by entering your phone number so that you can receive the booking confirmation.
6. Proceed to Payment
Confirm your booking details then proceed to pay the required amount. There are various payment options that you can utilize to pay for your travel fee. The most common payment method is M-PESA where you will enter your mobile number and amount then later submit the request to pay the stipulated amount. There are other payment methods such as credit/ debit cards it may also be available through third party platforms. After a successful payment you will receive a confirmation message notifying you that you have completed the transaction which will be followed by an email.
How to Book SGR Using USSD
To book SGR online using USSD code you will dial *639# on your Safaricom mobile phone number. Select the language you are comfortable with either English or Swahili from the options provided. The select “Book Ticket” option from the menu. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter the necessary information such as the type of train which is either Express or Inter-County, starting station destination, travel date and the coach type you prefer.
You will then enter the passenger details including full names, ID/passport numbers and contact information. Thren proceeds to make the payment using M-PESA it done usually by entering your mobile money PIN.
Once the booking is successfully authorized on the KRC payment platform, you will receive a message confirming the booking reference number. On the message you will then see your ticket number, a serial number which contains 25 digits and seat number will also be indicated on the message. Additional details such as train type, route and the travel dates are indicated on the ticket details. This applies to both international and local individuals using M-PESA. However, there can be some foreigners that are around the country and do not have access to M-PESA or a Safaricom line and still want to use the SGR services upon their arrival in Kenya. Below is a detailed guide on how foreigners can do SGR booking.
SGR Booking for Foreigners
If you are foreigner kindly note that, SGR booking can be done online however to make the entire booking process successful you need to have a Safaricom line with an M-PESA in order to pay for the tickets. A foreigner can acquire a Safaricom SIM card at the airport upon arrival and register for the M-PESA at the same time. You will need to present your passport to get the SIM Card. M-PESA is a very common and useful financial platform or mode of payment for individual and business purposes. This application accounts for more than 90% of the market share.
If you do not have a Safaricom line or M-PESA there are local agents such as Adequate Safaris a leading tours and travel company. You need to do this in advance except for the holiday and other peak times when human trafficking is astronomically at the highest. If you prefer you could do your booking prior to arriving in Kenya through liaising with the best tours and travel companies in Kenya such as Adequate Safaris who will book the tickets for you and have everything set before you arrive. This makes it easy for your Kenya safari tours as the SGR operates from two main terminus that is Nairobi and Mombasa terminus. However, there are another smaller terminus which include Mtito, Andei, Athi River, Miasenyi, Mariakani, Emali, Kibwezi and Voi.
Its important for you to note that Kenya is still growing and its high-speed rail network and so far, the SGR is the most developed railway network within the country and runs for about 480 km. The commercial trains are known to travel to a top speed of more than 100 km/h. The train can also accommodate more than 1000 people during its Mombasa to Nairobi trips.
Makadara Express Passenger Service Train
The table below shows premium class fares one way from Nairobi to Mombasa between the different stop points along the Nairobi Mombasa route. As you can see on the table below the rates are very high however there are individuals that are usually very much interested in such a service since this is the only option that can work for their schedule.
Premium Class Fare with Return Ticket
As you will note on the fare rates below it is evident that the return ticket is usually a bit expensive compared to the one-way fare. The table below will give you more breakdown on the premium class fare with returns from Nairobi to Mombasa.
First Class Fares
The table below expounds on the fare prices for a first-class train from Nairobi to Mombasa through different intercounty stop overs.
The fares for first class are a little bit affordable at least to most type of travellers.
Economy Class Fares from Nairobi to Mombasa
As shown above the economy class is the most affordable form of travelling that most SGR users know about. It is more affordable and has not much requirements. The people boarding economy class have the opportunity to explore more across the Kenyan landscapes as they move from one region to another.
SGR Booking Online from Nairobi to Mombasa
Booking the standard Gauge Raily (SGR) train online is one of the best ways that a person can do if he or she wants to travel across Kenya. The SGR Madaraka Express connects the capital city of Nairobi to the coastal regions effectively and efficiently offering the options of economy and first-class travel experience. Thanks to the rise of digital platforms as now the passengers can easily book their travels plans from one place to another at the comfort of their house, they do not need to travel to the booking station until its the actual travel dates.
To successfully book your SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa the most efficient way is through visiting the official Kenya Railways booking platform or through the mobile USSD service or mobile app. Begin by officially visiting the official booking website where you will create an account and fill in personal details such as name, ID number and phone number. Once everything is successfully created you can now log in and select your desired route in this case you are headed for Mombasa so you will choose Nairobi Terminus to Mombasa Terminus.
Next you will choose your preferred travel dates and class. The economy class is way more affordable and popular among local and international travellers. Though first class offers more comfort with very few passengers inside the cabin. After successfully selecting your preferred travel dates and the class the system will display to you the available trains on the indicated dates along side the departure times this is typically the intercounty trains and the express trains.
You will then proceed to payments, online SGR booking in Kenya supports mobile money payments such as M-PESA which is usually fast and convenient. You will go to the MPESA app confirm the payment and after a successful payment you will then receive a confirmation SMS that contains your ticket details and the booking confirmation code.
Now coming to the travelling day, you will go to the Nairobi Terminus at least an hour prior to the required time where you will do the verification and move ahead to do the on boarding process. Make sure to carry your original ID as it is mandatory for ticket confirmation. Booking your SGR ticket online from Nairobi to Mombasa no only save you time but also ensures you have your preferred seat during the peak travel season like in the Kenya holiday safaris.
SGR Booking Online from Mombasa to Nairobi
As highlighted above booking an SGR ticket online to Nairobi is easy since this is mostly a return ticket. The Madaraka Express train service offers a reliable alternative to air and road transport combining affordability with comfort and scenic views of the Kenyan landscape.
To effectively make your booking access the Kenya Railways online ticketing platform through your smartphone, tablet or laptop If it’s your first time you will have to register by providing your personal details which includes your full names, phone number and ID or passport number and if it’s just a return trip then you can log into your portal and make the prompt.
After logging in, select your departure station as Mombasa Terminus and your destination as Nairobi Terminus. Choose your preferred travel date and class either economy or first class. The system will then display available trains, typically including the morning Intercounty train and the afternoon or evening Express train.
Select your desired train and proceed to the passenger details section. Ensure all information entered matches your identification documents to avoid issues during boarding. Once done, move to the payment stage. M-PESA is the most convenient payment option, allowing you to complete the transaction quickly. You will receive a prompt on your phone to enter your PIN and confirm the payment.
After payment, a confirmation SMS will be sent to your phone with your ticket details, including your seat number and booking reference. It is advisable to keep this message safe or take a screenshot for easy access.
On your travel day, arrive early at the Mombasa Terminus for check-in and security procedures. Make sure to carry your original ID for verification. Booking your SGR ticket online from Mombasa to Nairobi ensures a smooth travel experience, eliminates long queues, and gives you the flexibility to plan your journey in advance.
Why SGR is Ideal for Tourists
If you are planning to chose Adequate Safaris as the traveling partner SGR can be incorporated into your itinerary as it is easy to make connection from Nairobi to Mombasa safaris. SGR is the most affordable form of transport especially for groups as you can opt for any of the three train classes that suits what you are doing. This is a safe and reliable form of travelling compared to other forms of transport. SGR offers the best balance you can have between cost and comfort. Also, for a trip from Nairobi to Mombasa tourists have a lot of things they can see along the way that is from beautiful landscapes, wildlife and buildings.
Safety Tips when Booking SGR Online
Only use official website to avoid being scammed or falling a victim of online cyber crime. While making the transaction avoid sharing your M-PESA PIN during the transaction time. Exposing you M-PESA PIN puts you at the risk of getting your M-PESA account swindled as anyone that wants to access your M-PESA just needs to have access to your PIN. Before sending the money always make sure that you confirm the details to avoid sending money to the wrong receiver. And finally, you need to keep your booking reference safe as you will need it while boarding the train.
How Can Adequate Safaris Help
As a leading tours and travel company in Kenya Adequate Safaris can book the SGR tickets for you thus making the entire travel and touring experience seamless and easy. Since Adequate Safaris has local expertise this leading tours and travel company in Kenya will provide for you the easiest way for you to book your travel. This tours and travel company will plan your entire thus making your travel and exploration to Kenya coast becomes easy. The company through its tour consultants can help you to combine SGR travel with Kenya safari tours it is in the same scenario that you can get customized travel packages just designed to fit your desires and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What Documents do I need While traveling?
Passengers must carry their original identification documents and original ticket to allow boarding. The commonly accepted travel documents include Kenya Identification Card, Valid passport, military identification card, valid diplomatic ID, Valid driving license, Kenya police abstract valid for 6 months and a birth certificate for minors below the age of 12 years.
2. Can I make a group booking?
We do not facilitate group booking however all kinds of bookings can be done through the online platform or website at metickets.krc.co.ke. There is also the USSD payment solution where you will have to dial *639# and the most common method where people go to the Madaraka Express Passenger Station.
3. What Category of tickets are available?
There are adult tickets which are for individuals between 12 years and above they have to pay a full price. There are minor tickets for passengers between 3 to 11 years who will have to pay half price and must provide their birth certificates. Infants aged below 3 years they are not supposed to be charged anything. The children under the age of 3 will require not to pay anything as long as they do not require to occupy a seat.
4. How much is the train?
Well, an economy class ticket costs around Kenya shillings 1,500 while a first-class ticket costs around Kenya Shillings 4,500. A premium class ticket will cost around 12,000 for a one-way ticket and Kenya Shillings 20,000 for a return trip this is for adults. For underage and children travelling alongside their parents will pay half the fare of adults that is between 3-11 years, children over 11 years they will have to pay full fare and children below 3 years do not pay anything.
5. How can I book the train?
You can book online through the official website or you can utilize the USSD payment approach of *639# which all are online methods. However, we have a third method which is over the counter at the Madaraka Express Passenger Stadium. Kindly always avoid to keep contact with any individual seeking to sell you tickets through unscrupulous ways.
6. Can I cancel my SGR ticket?
Of course, cancellations are allowed but they might attract a feed based on the timing. Similar to rescheduling also cancellation requires the action to be done in 48 hours or more prior to departure time irrespective of time and date when it was purchased. In this case you will have to provide the original identification documents and a photocopy. Refunds are subject to a fee of 30% of the entire fare. This process has to be done over the counter just like a rescheduling process.
7. Can I reschedule my SGR ticket?
Yes, you can but the changes must be made prior to departure. On economy and first class tickets the tickets should be rescheduled 48 hours or more prior to departure as indicated on the ticket. This action is irrespective of the time the ticket was purchased. The rescheduling process should be done using the same details that you provided during the initial booking procedure which means same class, same service and person have to match during the rescheduling process. Kindly note that rescheduling is subject to availability of seats and at times it usually attracts a 10% fee. A ticket can only be rescheduled once which is also subject to the availability of seats.
8. Do children need tickets?
Yes, they need one but their tickets come at a discounted rate
9. Can foreigners book SGR?
Yes, they can do it through using the passport details
10. What happens when I miss my train?
Your ticket becomes invalid and you might need to book another one
Final Thoughts on How to Book SGR Online
Learning how to book SGR online is one of the essentials of anyone that is travelling to Kenya. Whether you are commuting for business or planning a coastal gateway remember that booking SGR online is one of the processes that can be significantly easy for you to do.
Through following the steps outlined above in this detailed guide by Adequate Safaris you can easily secure your ticket and enjoy a comfortable journey aboard the SGR. Whether you are a first-time traveller or a seasoned traveller, for the best and unforgettable experience just make sure to partner with Adequate Safaris to handle all your travel arrangements including Kenya safari holidays and SGR bookings.
To book all your Kenya safari tours top the coast and back to Nairobi make sure to call one of the best tours and travel companies in Kenya, Adequate Safari. Make your safari today easy and seamless with Adequate Safaris through emailing us at de***@*************is.com or call us on our WhatsApp line at +254 768 555 444.
