Travelling from Melbourne to Nairobi: what you need to know
Melbourne's main base, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is where many great holidays begin. Explore your departure choices from here for your flight from Melbourne to Nairobi.
Touch down in Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL).
Nairobi is eight hours behind Melbourne and follows the UTC+3 timezone.
Allow plenty of time to get on your Melbourne to Nairobi flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Nairobi
To pick up cheap Melbourne to Nairobi flights, book in advance. Airlines usually offer their most competitively priced fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Melbourne to Nairobi across the month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Melbourne to Nairobi by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Melbourne to Nairobi flights.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Melbourne to Nairobi flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Travelling from central Melbourne to MEL takes about 40 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Melbourne to Nairobi? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, data shows 67.71% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Melbourne to Nairobi, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near NBO:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and explore beyond Nairobi's usual tourist stops.
Booking your vehicle from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport about three weeks ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
As soon as your flight from Melbourne to Nairobi has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in around 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is approximately 2 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL).
The journey will take about 45 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to WIL. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Melbourne to Nairobi:
Why waste time waiting for public transport? A Wilson Airport rental car lets you start your journey right away. Roll down your windows and hit the highway with a set of wheels from Auto-Union or Unicorn rent a car.
Generally speaking, the earlier you book, the better the deals and choice of vehicles. Lock in your ride from WIL as soon as you've confirmed your plans.
Best time to go to Nairobi
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Melbourne to Nairobi. July is the busiest month to visit Nairobi. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Nairobi is March, with temperatures ranging between 14ºC (57ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your Melbourne to Nairobi ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
July sees average temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Search for cheap flights from Melbourne to Nairobi around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Nairobi
After booking your flight from Melbourne to Nairobi, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Nairobi:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are must-do's during your Nairobi adventure.
Explore more of Kenya
Mombasa is just one of the many cities in Kenya waiting to be explored after you've experienced Nairobi. Around 434 kilometres to the south-east, top sights here include Fort Jesus, Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa.
Nakuru is another must-experience destination in Kenya and is around 145 kilometres north-west of Nairobi. No journey is complete without experiencing ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest.
