Cheap flights to Mombasa
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Quick summary
Country
Kenya
Continent
Africa
Airport
MBA
Currency
Kenyan shilling (KES)
Time zone
UTC+3 (EAT)
Deals already spotted to Mombasa
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Mombasa is Kenya's second-largest city and its main port, according to Wikivoyage and German Wikipedia, with about 1.2 million inhabitants in 2019 according to both. Wikivoyage describes it as the country's main tourist destination, known for its warm climate, white beaches and coral-reef diving. The centre, Mvita, is an island in a river delta, joined by bridges and, to the south, by ferries that run around the clock. It is one of the oldest cities in sub-Saharan Africa: the geographer Al Idrisi mentioned it in the 12th century as a prosperous trading post, says Wikivoyage, and it was ruled in turn by the Portuguese, the Arabs and the British. MBA is the country's second airport after Nairobi, which makes price tracking worthwhile.
Airport and getting into town
An airport on the mainland, a few kilometres from the island
Mombasa – Moi International Airport (MBA)
Moi International Airport is in Changamwe, on the mainland. Wikivoyage puts it 6 km from Mombasa Island, whereas French Wikipedia says 12 km from the city centre: the sources differ, so just remember that it lies a few kilometres to the west. Wikivoyage calls it Kenya's second airport after Nairobi and lists direct flights from several European cities as well as from Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Doha, Dubai, Entebbe, Kigali, Istanbul and Zanzibar. The flight from Nairobi takes about 45 minutes, says the same source, which names Kenya Airways and low-cost carriers.
Distances from Wikivoyage and French Wikipedia, which differ. Journey times from the airport depend on traffic and are not reliably given. We do not give fares.
Wikivoyage says a tuk-tuk or transfer taxi is the most common way to reach the centre, that ride-hailing apps help avoid overcharging, and that some hotels offer a shuttle. From Nairobi, a railway line opened in 2017 takes about five hours, according to the same source, and the terminus is about 10 km west of the centre.
Landmarks
Fort Jesus, the old town, the Moi Avenue tusks and the coast
Mombasa combines Swahili, Portuguese and Arab heritage with white-sand beaches and a wildlife park. The photos show the Moi Avenue tusks, Fort Jesus, Nyali beach and Haller Park.
The Moi Avenue tusks
The two pairs of crossed tusks on Moi Avenue were built in 1956 to welcome Princess Margaret, according to Wikivoyage. They are made of steel, not ivory, and form an M for Mombasa. They mark the entrance to the city and are one of its emblems.
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is the most popular place in Mombasa, according to Wikivoyage. It was built between 1593 and 1596 by the Portuguese to protect the port against the Ottomans, stayed in military use for more than three centuries, and served as a prison under the British; it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. German Wikipedia recalls that the Portuguese lost it to the Omanis in 1698.
The ramparts and the fort's museum
Walkways let you follow the crenellated ramparts. Part of the old cells houses a museum, says Wikivoyage, with objects from the wreck of the Portuguese frigate Santo António de Tanna, sunk in 1697, and archaeological finds from the Kenyan coast. Wikivoyage also mentions the fort's links to the slave trade.
The northern beaches
Wikivoyage counts 13.5 km of white-sand beaches, with three main ones to the north: Nyali, used mostly by locals and where water quality is not very good, Bamburi, the liveliest, and Shanzu, the most scenic and less crowded. Camel rides are offered on the Kisauni beaches.
Haller Park
Haller Park, in Bamburi, is a wildlife park of about 75 hectares created in 1985, according to Wikivoyage, with giraffes, hippos, monkeys and reptiles. The same source recommends feeding time, between 2 and 3 pm; beware of the monkeys, which can bite.
Other places named by Wikivoyage and German Wikipedia: the old town, with Swahili-style lanes calmer than the rest of the city and artisan shops; the neo-Gothic Holy Ghost Cathedral; the Shri Kutch Satsang temple, built in 1957 and described as the oldest Swaminarayan mandir outside India; Leven House, once the headquarters of the British Navy's anti-slavery campaign; and the sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, about 30 km to the north, on the UNESCO list.
Museums and culture
A fort-museum, ramparts and living arts
The Fort Jesus museum
The fort's museum shows objects from the Santo António de Tanna wreck: African and Indian pottery, Chinese porcelain, the crew's belongings and two bronze cannons, according to Wikivoyage. Other rooms hold archaeological finds from the coast, Arab military equipment, musical instruments and cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The old town and Leven House
The old town, along Tudor Creek north of Fort Jesus, is a typical example of Swahili architecture, according to Wikivoyage; you can explore it with a guide from the fort's esplanade. Leven House, named after a British warship, was in the 19th century the headquarters of the British Navy's campaign against the slave trade in the region.
The Bombolulu Cultural Centre
Wikivoyage names the Bombolulu Cultural Centre, in Kisauni, which offers traditional dance performances and sells jewellery, leather, textiles and carved wood. We do not give fares.
Food and drink
Swahili cooking: coconut rice, mahamri and fish
A blended cuisine
Wikivoyage describes Mombasa as a cosmopolitan city with Arab, Chinese, European and Indian influences, which show in its cooking. Many dishes use coconut, such as wali ya tui, basmati rice in coconut milk, kuku wa kupaka, chicken in coconut milk, and mahamri, cardamom doughnuts.
Markets and small eateries
Kongowea market, one of the largest in Kenya with more than 1,500 stalls, is worth a visit for its atmosphere, colours and smells, says Wikivoyage; watch your belongings and ask permission before photographing vendors.
Care at the table
For small restaurants, Wikivoyage advises checking that the place is clean, asking for drinks in bottles opened in front of you, avoiding ice and peeling fruit.
Getting around
Tuk-tuks, matatus, apps and the Likoni ferry
Tuk-tuks and matatus
Wikivoyage says there is no regular public transport network: matatus, minibuses, take its place, with about 3,500 licensed vehicles. They are cheap but crowded. Tuk-tuks, motorised trikes with a cabin, are another option, while boda-bodas, motorcycle taxis, are described as dangerous.
Taxis and apps
Taxis carry no roof sign, and the fare is negotiated before you go. Wikivoyage recommends ride-hailing apps, which show fares and avoid the overcharging that tourists often face.
Ferry and train
The Likoni ferry, free for pedestrians according to Wikivoyage, links the island to the south coast; ferries run around the clock. A commuter train links Mombasa Terminus with the old station in the centre in about 35 minutes.
Budget and precautions
Budget and precautions
Price level
Mombasa offers accommodation in every category, from beach hotels to small guesthouses, according to Wikivoyage. The fares quoted in the sources we read are dated, so we do not publish amounts. The currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES).
By air
SniperAir monitors prices to MBA and compares them with the route's price history, but it does not sell or book tickets. To compare, you can also track Nairobi, Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam.
Safety
Official advice differs depending on your country of departure: check your own government's advice before booking. Wikivoyage says several countries advise against the city centre at night and that robberies can occur on beaches after dark; it also mentions terrorist attacks in Kenya, some in Mombasa. Take a taxi rather than walking in the evening, ask your host which areas are safe and watch for pickpockets.
Health
Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre for advice before you go, particularly about vaccinations and malaria prevention, which is relevant on the coast. Wikivoyage recommends drinking only bottled water.
When to go
A hot tropical climate with two rainy periods
January to March
The driest period according to French and Spanish Wikipedia, and also the hottest, with highs that can exceed 32 °C according to Wikivoyage.
April to June
The main rainy season. Wikivoyage places it between mid-April and late May; Spanish Wikipedia gives April and May as the wettest months, with a rainy season from March to the end of June.
July to September
After the end of the rainy season, at the end of June according to Spanish Wikipedia, the sources we read mention no marked rain before October.
October to December
Wikivoyage mentions a minor wet season in October and November; French Wikipedia speaks of a long wet season from April to December. The sources differ.
At about 4 degrees south of the equator, temperature variation is small all year, according to Wikivoyage and Spanish Wikipedia. We give orders of magnitude only; check forecasts before you book.
By length of stay
What to do in Mombasa depending on how long you stay
Old town and fort
One to two days for Fort Jesus, the old town, the Moi Avenue tusks and the market.
Beaches and animals
Add the beaches of Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu, diving in the marine park and Haller Park.
Safaris and the coast
German Wikivoyage names Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks, the closest; Wikivoyage mentions the Kaya forests 30 km to the north and the train to Nairobi in about five hours.
In pictures
Mombasa in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Mombasa
How far is Mombasa airport from the centre?
Moi airport (MBA) is in Changamwe, 6 km from the island according to Wikivoyage or 12 km from the centre according to French Wikipedia. Tuk-tuks, taxis and apps are the usual options; the journey time depends on traffic.
Is Mombasa safe?
Wikivoyage says several countries advise against the city centre at night, that robberies occur on beaches after dark and that terrorist attacks have hit the country. Official advice differs by country of departure: check your own government's advice before booking.
What health precautions should I take for Mombasa?
Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre before you go, particularly about vaccinations and malaria. Drink bottled water.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa?
January to March is the driest period; the main rainy season falls from April to June, with a minor one in October and November. Temperatures stay warm all year.
How long should I stay in Mombasa?
Two days for Fort Jesus, the old town and the tusks; three to four days if you add the beaches, diving and Haller Park.
What should I eat in Mombasa?
Wali ya tui, rice in coconut milk, kuku wa kupaka, chicken in coconut milk, and mahamri, cardamom doughnuts.
How much does a flight to Mombasa usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Mombasa drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Mombasa (MBA) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
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