Kisumu is served by Kisumu International Airport (KIS), a major air hub in western Kenya. For ground travel, the city features a main bus terminal with various bus companies operating routes, and a railway station for train services. Kisumu Port also exists, primarily for cargo, with ongoing plans to develop it further as a regional logistics and potential cruise ship hub.
Flights are available to and from Kisumu International Airport (KIS). Daily flights connect Kisumu with Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL). Airlines serving this route include Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Fly540, and Safarilink. One-way tickets from Nairobi can start from approximately $68 (KSh 8,840), with round-trip options starting from $136 (KSh 17,680). Safarilink offers flights from Wilson Airport starting from KSh 3,950.
Numerous bus operators connect Kisumu with other cities, notably Nairobi. Major companies include Easy Coach, Modern Coast, Guardian, ENA Coach, and Tahmeed. The journey from Nairobi typically takes between 7 to 8 hours. Fares for buses from Nairobi generally range from KSh 1,000 to KSh 1,750. For example, Easy Coach tickets from Nairobi to Kisumu are KSh 1,750 (as of May 2025), while Modern Coast fares start from KSh 1,000. Buses depart from various terminals in Nairobi, arriving at the Kisumu Main Bus Terminal or specific operator stations. Bus services also connect Kisumu to cities in Uganda, such as Jinja and Kampala, with fares around KSh 1,500 to KSh 1,600 and travel times of 5 to 7 hours.
The Kisumu Safari train offers an overnight service between Nairobi and Kisumu. As of December 2024, the train from Nairobi Central Station to Kisumu departs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 4:00 PM, arriving at 6:30 PM the following day. The return trip from Kisumu to Nairobi departs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays at 6:40 PM, arriving at 8:00 AM the next morning. The journey takes approximately 12 to 13 hours. Economy class tickets cost KSh 900, and First class tickets are KSh 2,400. The journey involves transfers between different train services at Nairobi Terminus and Maai Mahiu.
Car rental services are available in Kisumu for self-drive or with a driver. Daily rental costs vary depending on the vehicle type, ranging from KSh 7,000 for a Toyota Noah to KSh 16,000 for a Toyota Prado. 4x4 rentals can start from $100 per day (KSh 13,000). Driving from Nairobi to Kisumu is approximately 380 km and can take between 5 to 12 hours, depending on stops and road conditions.
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