Travel Necessities in Nairobi, Kenya: Transport, Money & More

Everyone knows that Kenya has a beautiful variety of wildlife and the country is proud of the many animals that call Kenya home. However, Nairobi is going through rapid growth and it’s currently the second largest growing city in Africa. The thing is, every time you think of visiting Kenya, most likely you will first land in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.  Nairobi city has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, with new transport systems, hospitals, banks and ATM services, among others. It is a metropolitan city with a diverse culture and history. Also, Nairobi’s beautiful climate round the year means it is a prime destination for both the Kenyan residents and international visitors, including business investors and tourists.

The Nairobi's Transport

As Nairobi develops, growth in the infrastructure has played a great role in this. Transport is very important for every traveler in town. You will probably be required to connect from one place to another. The commuter train services in Nairobi was introduced in the year 1989 to facilitate a low-cost public means of transportation within the city and the other parts of the country.  The main bus station is Kencom Bus Station. The stage serves the commuters heading to the Eastlands and other urban sections of Nairobi. Koja Commuter Stage is on Tom Mboya Street amongst other stages. The most preferred means of transport within the city is the taxi.

Banking Facilities & ATMs

You will probably run out of cash while in town, or even need to do a quick money transaction to your friends or family members.  The banking industry in Kenya has led Nairobi to become one of the biggest cities in Africa. Almost every bank has its branch in town. These banks offer both local transactions and international currency exchange for foreigners. They usually operate eight hours a day but for ATM services, they operate 24 hours a day. Some of these banks include Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Family bank and Cooperative Bank ATM.

Clinics & Hospitals

The human body behavior is untimely. Therefore you’ll need to have several medical checkups whether in your home town or in another city. Having a clear definition of where to locate these facilities is critical. What would you do if you got ill in the middle of the town where you have no idea on where to get medical attention? No need to answer this. Having a definitive guide about where to find a clinic or even a hospital in a new town is essential to every traveler. Most of Nairobi’s hospitals operate day and night. As the government has put a bigger budget into the medical sector, all these facilities are affordable to everyone whether you are a local citizen or an international visitor. Some of the best hospitals in town include Aga Khan University Hospital, Karen hospital CBD and Hazina Medical Clinic (Hazina Towers).

 Shops & Groceries

Nairobi offers visitors an amazing shopping experience. As Kenya mostly depends on agriculture, most of the farm produce can easily be found in the market. The best shops and malls in Nairobi include Garden City Mall and Galleria Shopping Mall.  Most shops in the city are of a modern nature with exciting venues where you can sit in the beautiful gardens with refreshments and then wind your way through a treasure trove of the shops. Most of the shops within the city have friendly staff who are always ready to assist you pack and ship if needed. For groceries, try Gikomba Market.