Nairobi commuter train schedule: 5 routes, first train 5:45am

Updated 10 November 2026

The Nairobi commuter train schedule covers five Kenya Railways routes out of Nairobi Central Station: Embakasi, Syokimau, Limuru, Lukenya and Ruiru. The earliest train leaves Nairobi at 5:45am for Embakasi Village, and the last leaves at 8:20pm. Embakasi and Syokimau get the most trains, while Limuru, Lukenya and Ruiru run mainly at rush hour. Below is every published departure and arrival time, route by route, plus tips for using the service.

Updated November 2026. Times are from the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service Schedule that Kenya Railways links from its Nairobi Commuter Rail page, a timetable dated July 2025 and still the current link on 10 November 2026. Timetables can change, so confirm on 0115 102 558 or 0115 169 759.

Nairobi commuter train schedule: routes at a glance

Nairobi commuter train schedule: Embakasi route

The Embakasi line is served by modern diesel multiple units (DMUs) through the day, plus one older commuter train each way.

DMU, Nairobi Central to Embakasi Village

DMU, Embakasi Village to Nairobi Central

The commuter train leaves Nairobi at 18:00 (Makadara 18:12, Donholm 18:22, Pipeline 18:32, Embakasi Village 18:45). In the morning it leaves Embakasi Village at 07:05 (Pipeline 07:08, Donholm 07:18, Makadara 07:28, Nairobi 07:42).

Nairobi commuter train schedule: Syokimau route

This line links the city centre with the SGR Nairobi Terminus, which makes it useful for Madaraka Express passengers.

Syokimau to Nairobi Central: departures from Syokimau at 07:15 (Nairobi 07:50), 08:50 (Nairobi 09:25), 10:40 (Nairobi 11:15), 14:30 (Nairobi 15:13) and 19:05 (Nairobi 19:40). The sheet also lists an early service starting from Nairobi Terminus at 03:50 and reaching Nairobi Central at 04:28; confirm this one with Kenya Railways, as it is unusually early.

Limuru route timetable

One train each way, timed for workers. Evening: Nairobi 17:20, Kibera 17:50, Dagoretti 18:10, Kikuyu 18:40, Limuru 19:20. Morning: Limuru 05:50, Kikuyu 06:27, Dagoretti 07:00, Kibera 07:28, Nairobi 07:35.

Lukenya route timetable

One train each way via Mlolongo and Athi River. Evening: Nairobi 17:50, Makadara 18:05, Imara Daima 18:22, Embakasi 18:35, Mlolongo 18:52, Athi River 19:00, Lukenya 19:30. Morning: Lukenya 05:45, Athi River 06:18, Mlolongo 06:39, Embakasi 06:57, Imara Daima 07:12, Makadara 07:26, Nairobi 07:40.

Nairobi commuter train schedule: Ruiru route

Which Nairobi commuter route suits you

The Nairobi commuter train schedule favours some areas more than others. If you live in Donholm, Pipeline or Embakasi, the Embakasi line is the most flexible, with trains in the early morning, late morning, early afternoon and evening. Residents of Imara Daima and Syokimau get a similar spread, and the line is handy for anyone catching a Madaraka Express train at the Nairobi Terminus. Travellers from Kikuyu, Dagoretti and Kibera have only one morning and one evening train, so the Limuru route works best for regular office hours in the city centre.

The Lukenya route is useful for workers based in Mlolongo and Athi River, where traffic on Mombasa Road is often heavy at peak times. The Ruiru line serves Githurai, Mwiki, Dandora and Kahawa West, which are among the busiest commuter areas along Thika Road. In every case, the train is likely to be slower than a private car at off-peak times, but it avoids road congestion at rush hour.

When reading the Nairobi commuter train schedule, remember that the times shown are scheduled arrival times at each station, and that the first time in each row is the departure from the starting station. Short dwell times mean you should be on the platform a few minutes early.

Tips for using the Nairobi commuter train

• Arrive early. Rush-hour trains on the Limuru, Lukenya and Ruiru routes run once each way, so missing one means waiting until the next day.
• Use Park and Ride. Kenya Railways lists Park and Ride facilities, CCTV security and automated ticketing among the service’s features.
• Connect by bus. KR runs a scheduled bus link between Nairobi Central Station, the CBD, Upper Hill and Westlands to complement the trains.
• Check fares at the station. Kenya Railways did not publish a current Nairobi commuter fare table online when we checked, so confirm the fare at the ticket office.
• Going to the coast? Take the Syokimau line to Nairobi Terminus, then see how to book SGR tickets online and our SGR economy vs first class comparison.
• Weekend away? The Friday Nanyuki safari train also calls at Dandora, Githurai and Ruiru on its way north.

Kenya Railways says the revitalised Nairobi commuter service was commissioned on 10 November 2020, with new and modernised stations, DMUs, refurbished coaches and rehabilitated locomotives. Check the Nairobi commuter train schedule again before you travel, as KR updates it from time to time.

Frequently asked questions

What time is the first commuter train from Nairobi?

The first regular train is the 05:45 DMU from Nairobi Central to Embakasi Village, arriving at 06:13.

What time is the last commuter train from Nairobi?

The last departures in the July 2025 timetable are the 20:10 to Syokimau, arriving at 21:00, and the 20:20 DMU to Embakasi Village, arriving at 20:50.

Does the commuter train go to the SGR station?

Yes. The Syokimau route calls at Nairobi Terminus, the SGR station, between Imara Daima and Syokimau.

How many trains run on the Ruiru line?

Two each way: a 07:40 and a 17:40 from Nairobi, and a 06:00 from Ruiru plus a 09:00 from Kahawa West into Nairobi. The 07:40 and 09:00 trains show no Ruiru time on the sheet.

Where can I get the official Nairobi commuter train schedule?

Kenya Railways links the current timetable PDF from its Nairobi Commuter Rail page on krc.co.ke. You can also call 0115 102 558 or 0115 169 759.