Distance from Nairobi to Nakuru
Lake Nakuru National Park lies 156 km northwest of Nairobi on the A104. That figure is the distance to the park, not a measured route from every hotel or from the airport, and distances to a particular gate or to the middle of Nakuru city will differ a little.
There is no fixed travel time. As a planning figure, allow about 2.5 to 3 hours on the road, which is typical for a matatu, and add time for traffic in and around town. Visitors usually come by day tour, by their own car, by matatu or by shuttle, and some use the train.
If you prefer to hand over the driving, compare Lake Nakuru day trips from Nairobi before you look at the options below.
Nairobi to Nakuru by road, bus and shuttle
The ways to get from Nairobi to Nakuru compared.
| Option | Time | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day tour from Nairobi | See the tour cards | See the tour cards | Check what the price includes, such as pickup and park entry |
| Self-drive on the A104 | About 2.5 to 3 hours as a planning figure | Fuel and park fees | Use Lanet Gate to bypass the traffic in town |
| Matatu | About 2.5 to 3 hours | About KES 700 to 900 | Ask where it stops, then plan the last stretch to the gate |
| Shuttle | Similar to the matatu | From about KES 600 | Prices change, confirm before you board |
| Kisumu Safari Train | Friday evening from Nairobi | Check the fare when you book | Stops in Nakuru. Check the status before you plan around it |
For most visitors with a short stay, a day tour or a self-drive trip fits best, and a matatu or shuttle suits travellers who already plan a night in Nakuru.
Our pick: pickup from your door
This private trip collects you from your accommodation or the airport in Nairobi, so you skip the bus and shuttle search.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Nakuru day trips from Nairobi
Day tours and safaris from Nairobi, including combinations with Lake Naivasha, with live prices and availability.
Nairobi to Nakuru: the road
The A104 runs northwest from Nairobi through the Rift Valley and leads towards Nakuru. The park has three gates: Main Gate, Lanet Gate and Nderit Gate. Main Gate is 4 km from Nakuru City, and Lanet Gate is recommended for arrivals from Nairobi because it bypasses the town traffic. All gates are open from 06:00 to 18:00.
Roads inside the park have flooded in recent years. A gate that is open does not mean that every track is passable, so ask at the gate which roads you can use. The history guide explains why the lake has risen. Entry is paid through KWSPay or eCitizen, and the entry fee guide lists the rates and what to bring.
Lake Elementaita lies on the same road, about 45 km south of Nakuru on the A104, and is a natural stop if you do not hurry. See the Lake Elementaita guide.
Fare from Nairobi to Nakuru: matatu and shuttle
Matatus are the minibuses that run between Nairobi and Nakuru. Matatu fares are about KES 700 to 900, and shuttles start from about KES 600 on some routes. Fares change, so confirm the price when you board or book, and do not rely on a single number. Plan a local taxi or a pickup for the last stretch to the gate, since Main Gate is 4 km from Nakuru City.
Ask your accommodation in Nairobi about departure times and where the vehicles leave from.
Kisumu Safari Train and the Nakuru stop
The Kisumu Safari Train leaves Nairobi on Friday at 18:30 and returns from Kisumu on Sunday at 18:30, with a stop in Nakuru. Fares cover the whole run to Kisumu, so they do not show the fare to Nakuru. The service has been interrupted in 2026, so check the current timetable and status before you plan around it, and keep a road option as a backup.
Flying to Lake Nakuru
There is an airstrip at Naishi, next to the guest house in the park. Scheduled daily flights are not a given, so ask before you plan a trip around a flight.
On the way: Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate
Many day trips from Nairobi combine Lake Nakuru with Lake Naivasha. Hell's Gate National Park offers hiking, cycling and climbing, and its gates are open from 06:00 to 18:00. Do not plan a walk through the Ol Njorowa gorge without checking whether it is open.
Hell's Gate entry is $50 for non-resident adults and $25 for children, KES 500 and KES 250 for East African citizens, and KES 675 and KES 350 for Kenya residents (2026 rates). Cycling is an extra charge. More on both stops: Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate National Park.
Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha can currently be reached by boat only. The island entry is $33 for non-resident adults, $22 for students and $16 for children, and you pay for the boat separately. Boat prices are per boat for up to 7 people and run from KES 2,500 to 8,000 depending on where you start.
Do not plan Nakuru, Naivasha and Hell's Gate on one day from the distance to Nairobi alone, because the combined drive time cannot be taken from that figure. For a Masai Mara combination, read Masai Mara trips from Nairobi.
Entry rules and health: a short note
Most visitors need an approved eTA before they travel, including children, unless an exception applies. Since October 2026 a Kenyan travel health insurance is part of the eTA application, and you should carry proof of it when you arrive, even if your eTA was issued earlier. Travellers arriving from a yellow fever country need proof of vaccination. Check your government's current travel advice and the official eTA service for your nationality before you book.
Pages that help you plan: the hotels guide for where to stay, the Nakuru town guide for the city, and the weather guide for the rainy seasons. If you land in Nairobi first, getting around Nairobi covers the city side.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with the trip from Nairobi.
Nairobi to Nakuru: frequently asked questions
How far is Nakuru from Nairobi?
The park lies 156 km northwest of Nairobi on the A104. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours as a planning figure, and more with traffic.
Which gate should I use from Nairobi?
Lanet Gate is recommended for arrivals from Nairobi because it bypasses the traffic in Nakuru town. Main Gate is 4 km from Nakuru City, and Nderit Gate is the third entrance.
How much is the matatu or shuttle from Nairobi to Nakuru?
Matatu fares are about KES 700 to 900, and shuttles start from about KES 600. Prices change, so confirm before you board.
Can I take the train to Nakuru?
The Kisumu Safari Train stops in Nakuru, but service has been interrupted in 2026. Check the current timetable and status, and plan a road option as well.
Can I fly to Lake Nakuru?
There is an airstrip at Naishi, next to the guest house. Do not count on scheduled daily flights, and ask before you plan.
Is this the official park website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, Nakuru County or any tour operator, lodge or transport company.