Diani Beach is primarily accessed via Ukunda Airport (Diani Airport) for direct flights, or through Moi International Airport in Mombasa, which serves as a major gateway connecting to Diani via road and ferry. Nairobi's Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) also offer connections to Ukunda or Mombasa. The Mombasa SGR Terminus is a key railway hub for those traveling by train from Nairobi.
Domestic flights operate from Nairobi's Wilson Airport (WIL) to Ukunda Airport (UKA), located just 5 minutes from Diani Beach. Airlines such as Jambojet, Safarilink, Skyward Express, Fly540, and AirKenya offer these flights. The travel time is approximately 1 hour and 10-18 minutes, with costs ranging from $70 to $180 for a one-way ticket, or starting from $142 for a round trip.
The SGR Madaraka Express train runs from Nairobi to Mombasa, taking approximately 5 to 5.5 hours. Economy class tickets cost around $11-$35, while premium class can range from $85 to $140. From Mombasa SGR Terminus, a taxi to Diani Beach typically takes about 1 hour.
Overnight buses from Nairobi to Ukunda are available, with a journey time of approximately 12 hours, offering a cost-effective option. Buses from Nairobi to Mombasa take around 9 hours and 13 minutes, costing between $95 and $130.
Taxis and private transfers are readily available from Mombasa's Moi International Airport or the SGR Terminus to Diani Beach. A taxi from Mombasa Airport to Diani Beach takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, including a ferry crossing, and costs around €65 (approximately $70). It is advisable to agree on the fare beforehand. Private car transfers can also be arranged.
Travelers can self-drive from Nairobi to Mombasa, then cross the Likoni Ferry from Mombasa Island to the South Coast. The drive from the ferry to Diani Beach takes approximately 30 minutes on a tarmac road. Some routes allow drivers to bypass Mombasa city traffic and the Likoni Ferry by branching off the Mombasa Highway at Samburu and driving through Shimba Hills National Park.
For a local experience, matatus (shared minibuses) operate from the Likoni Ferry to Ukunda, costing around 150-200 KES ($1.00-$2.00) and taking approximately 30 minutes.
Once in Diani, taxis, tuk-tuks, and motorbikes are common modes of transport for getting around the area.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
