Call Kenya Railways at 011 (+254) 2 221 211 to make your reservations.
To buy tickets in person, go to the Nairobi train station on Haile Selassie Avenue. First-class tickets sell for around $40. The second-class seats are about $10 less. The price of third-class seats varies. Ask at the station for the current rates.
Reserve first- and second-class sleepers in advance. You can buy tickets through an independent travel agent.
Decide whether you want to depart on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. These are the only days the train runs from Nairobi to Kisumu.
Arrive at the Nairobi train station at least a half hour earlier than the 6:30 p.m. departure time. Remember, there's only one departure per travel day.
Bring plenty of things to do during the 13 1/2-hour journey. You should arrive in Kisumu at about 8 a.m. the following day.
Keep your eyes peeled for animals along the way. Some people take the train from Nairobi to Kisumu for the wildlife viewing alone!
Relax in the restaurant car and enjoy chatting with fellow adventurers. The dining service is for all travelers, regardless of seat class. The restaurant car serves hot meals, coffee and alcoholic beverages.
Enjoy the privacy in a first-class sleeper. You can relax in seats that convert to two berths, complete with all necessary bedding. You'll also have an en-suite bathroom and can dine in the restaurant car.
Stretch out in a second-class sleeper with four seats that convert to bunks. Bedding is included, as is an in-room bathroom. Breakfast and dinner in the restaurant car are also included in the ticket price.
