Money at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Nairobi, Kenya.
Nairobi uses the KES (KSh). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly KSh 800–1,800. M-Pesa or cash; card rarely for taxis.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)?
Kenya uses the KES (KSh). Airport ATMs dispense KES directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from NBO to the city cost?
Expected fare on the NBO → Westlands route is roughly KSh 800–1,800. Around KSh 3,000+ is already high, and KSh 4,500+ flat is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at NBO?
Not expected. Drivers in Kenya don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at NBO?
M-Pesa or cash; card rarely for taxis. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of KES notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at NBO?
Only if you need $10–20 of KES to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.