Jeddah to Mombasa (JED–MBA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Saudi passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Kenya. Apply at etakenya.go.ke at least 3 days before departure. The eTA costs $30 and is valid for 90 days per visit. Upload your passport bio page, a passport photo, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.

Kenya replaced its traditional visa system with the eTA in January 2024. The authorization is electronically linked to your passport. For stays beyond 90 days, apply for an extension at the Immigration Department in Nairobi. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from an endemic country. Carry the yellow card, as officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) check it.

Direct flights from Jeddah to Nairobi run about 4 hours 30 minutes on Saudia and Kenya Airways. Riyadh to Nairobi connects through Jeddah or via Addis Ababa, Dubai, or Doha. Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES), trading at roughly 34 KES per SAR 1. ATMs are everywhere in Nairobi and Mombasa. M-Pesa mobile money dominates payments and is accepted at shops, restaurants, and taxis. Card payments work at hotels and malls. Safari park fees at Maasai Mara are $80 per adult per day for non-residents. Nairobi National Park, 7 km from the city center, charges $43. The SGR train connects Nairobi to Mombasa in 4 hours 30 minutes at KES 1,000 to KES 3,000 (SAR 29 to SAR 88). Uber operates in Nairobi and Mombasa.

The Haramain High Speed Railway connects JED Airport Station to Jeddah city (King Abdullah Station) in about 15 minutes (SAR 20–25). The same line runs to Mecca and Medina, making it useful for Hajj and Umrah travelers.Taxis from central Jeddah cost SAR 60–100 and take 25–45 minutes. Uber and Careem operate widely and typically run SAR 40–80. Driving yourself is straightforward; the airport is well signed from King Abdulaziz Road and the Ring Road.