Kisumu safari train: Schedule, fares and where to buy tickets
By Mustafa Juma, December 17, 2025Travelling in Kenya during the festive season is a huge, traditional “mass exodus” from cities to upcountry for family, but it’s a major hustle involving overwhelming crowds, skyrocketing transport fares, and packed transport, requiring early booking or strategic, flexible travel to avoid stress and high costs, especially with challenges like inflation and infrastructure. Or is it?
Well, most buses are normally fully booked as early as December 15, leaving most Kenyans with the hustle of trying their luck at the famous Machakos Country bus station.
Most transport companies take advantage of the situation to hike fares, forcing most low-income-earning Kenyans to dig deep into their pockets to reach upcountry.
To make the matter even worse, matatus plying the Nairobi city routes usually seize the opportunity and find their way to the upcountry.
However, the move is normally risky, since most of the Nairobi-plying matatu drivers are not familiar with most upcountry routes, leading to some of the accidents witnessed during the Christmas holiday.
Kisumu safari train
But travellers now have a reason to smile after the Kenya Railways announced the return of the Kisumu safari train to cater to the travel needs of Kenyans travelling upcountry for the Christmas holiday.
The corporation, in a statement issued via social media on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, announced that the Nairobi-Kisumu trips will kick off on December 19, 2025.
“The Kisumu Safari Train is back on track. Enjoy easy travel and that classic rail magic as you journey from Nairobi to Kisumu,” Kenya Railways wrote on X.
The Kisumu Safari train will operate until January 12, 2026.
Kisumu safari train ticket prices
Kenyans heading to the lakeside city have been encouraged to book the seats, whose tickets are available over the counter at the Nairobi Central office.
“Running from 19th December 2025 to 12th January 2026, this festive favourite is the perfect way to travel, explore, and unwind. Seats are now available—book early and ride the journey again,” the statement read.
The ticket prices are Ksh2,400 for first class and Ksh900 for the economy class. The train will ply through the Nairobi Central-Nairobi Terminus-Mai Mahiu-Kisumu route.
Kisumu train schedule
According to the announced schedule, the train will be leaving Nairobi at 5:00 pm and arriving in Kisumu at 6:00 am. For the journey back to the capital, the train will be leaving Kisumu at 6:30 pm and arriving in Nairobi at 8:00 am.
Those planning to use the train to travel to Kisumu should try and arrive at the Nairobi Central Station early to avoid missing the train tickets.
