Updated 2 November 2026
The SGR luggage allowance has no fixed weight limit: Kenya Railways lets Madaraka Express passengers carry luggage they can easily carry themselves, as long as it fits through the train doors, which take items up to 160 cm long, 200 cm high and 60 cm wide. Every bag is security screened, and items such as alcohol, aerosol sprays, pets, bicycles and flammable liquids are not allowed.
This guide sets out the SGR luggage allowance rules, the full prohibited and restricted items lists, and what happens to anything confiscated at the scanner. It is based on the Madaraka Express Passenger Service Conditions of Carriage published by Kenya Railways on metickets.krc.co.ke, checked on November 1, 2026. For tickets and fares, see our guide on how to book SGR tickets online.
SGR Luggage Allowance Rules
| Rule | What Kenya Railways says |
|---|---|
| Weight limit | None stated. Luggage must be easy for you to carry along. |
| Size | Train doors take luggage up to 160 cm long, 200 cm high and 60 cm wide. |
| Screening | All passengers and luggage are screened. Anyone who refuses is barred from travelling. |
| Arrival time | At least one hour before departure. |
| Liability | Kenya Railways is not liable for loss of or damage to your luggage. |
Under the SGR luggage allowance, Kenya Railways accepts no liability for luggage, so keep valuables, cash and documents in a bag you hold on to. Luggage is defined as personal effects such as suitcases and handbags. The rules are the same in Economy and First Class; see our SGR Economy vs First Class comparison for what the higher fare buys.
Items Not Allowed Under the SGR Luggage Allowance
The Conditions of Carriage ban these items in Kenya Railways stations and on trains:
- Alcoholic drinks, and smoking anywhere on board or outside designated areas
- Aerosol sprays, including hair spray, body spray, shaving cream and spray sunscreen
- Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks and flares (licensed gun holders must talk to Kenya Railways security first)
- Flammable liquids and materials such as paraffin, petrol, turpentine, paint, adhesives, lighter fuel, lighters and match boxes; the poster version also lists vapes and e-cigarettes
- Compressed gases, including gas cylinders (even empty ones) and aqualung cylinders
- Security-type cases holding items such as lithium batteries or pyrotechnics
- Animal trophies, including wild animal skins, horns and cowrie shells
- Narcotic or controlled drugs; the poster names miraa and muguka as well as cannabis, cocaine and heroin
- Live animals and pets
- Bleaching powder, peroxides, poisons, insecticides and corrosives such as acids and wet-cell batteries
- Pepper spray, mace, tasers and tear gas
- Radioactive materials, and ashes and laboratory samples (on the poster)
Restricted Items and the SGR Luggage Allowance
- Bicycles: not allowed on passenger trains “at the moment”.
- Devices with spillable batteries.
- Workshop tools such as hammers, pliers and screwdrivers must be handed to Kenya Railways security at the station.
If you are moving tools or a bicycle, the SGR luggage allowance won’t cover them, so a bus or courier may suit better. To move a car between Mombasa and Nairobi, Kenya Railways now runs a vehicle freight service on the SGR.
What Happens to Confiscated Items
Security staff confiscate prohibited items found at screening and give you an Item Surrender form. Kenya Railways keeps the item for 14 days for you, or someone you send, to collect with identification. After that it is disposed of. Lost property found on trains or at stations is kept for 28 days.
Other SGR Rules That Catch Travellers Out
- Original ID only. Carry the original ID used to book; copies are refused. Children under 12 need a birth certificate.
- Wrong train or coach. Boarding a different train or class, or riding past your station, means the full fare plus a 30% penalty.
- Lost ticket. A replacement costs 30% of the fare.
- Changes. Rescheduling at least 48 hours before departure costs 10% of the fare and is allowed once; cancelling costs 30%.
Planning a December coast trip? Our December holiday budget for the coast and affordable Mombasa and Diani hotels guides price the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SGR luggage weight limit?
Kenya Railways sets no weight limit. Luggage must be easy for you to carry and fit doors of 160 cm by 200 cm by 60 cm.
Can I carry alcohol on the SGR?
No. Alcoholic drinks are banned in stations and on board.
Are pets allowed on the Madaraka Express?
No. Live animals and pets are on the prohibited list.
Can I take a bicycle on the SGR?
Not at the moment. Kenya Railways says bicycles are not allowed on passenger trains for now.
Can I carry perfume or body spray on the SGR?
Aerosol sprays, including body spray and hair spray, are banned. Pack a non-aerosol alternative.
Check the SGR luggage allowance rules again before each trip, as Kenya Railways can update them. Looking for work at Kenya Railways or in transport? See JobinKenya.
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