Road transfer · Nairobi to South Coast
Nairobi to Diani Transfer
A private Nairobi to Diani transfer covers about 520 km and takes 8–10 hours with stops. Your driver uses the Dongo Kundu bypass, so there is no Likoni ferry queue. In 2026 a 14- or 16-seater Toyota Hiace with driver costs KES 60,000 one way, for a drop-off in Diani or a pick-up from Diani back to Nairobi, plus 16% VAT. If you keep the vehicle for 3 days or more, it is KES 25,000 per day.
Prices checked 11 November 2026 · Gravity Vans for Hire
Other coast routes
Nairobi to Diani Transfer prices 2026
A one-way transfer is a single price per vehicle: we drive you from Nairobi to Diani, or collect you in Diani and bring you back to Nairobi. Booking both a drop-off and a pick-up is two one-way transfers. If you want the vehicle and driver to stay with you at the coast for 3 days or more, you pay the day rate of KES 25,000 per day for a 14- or 16-seater instead.
| Vehicle | Model | Seats | Price (one way) | With 16% VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-seater minivan | Toyota Noah | 7 | Ask for price | On request |
| 10-seater van | Toyota Hiace | 10 | Ask for price | On request |
| 14-seater van | Toyota Hiace | 14 | KES 60,000 | KES 69,600 |
| 16-seater van | Toyota Hiace | 16 | KES 60,000 | KES 69,600 |
| 22-seater bus | Toyota Coaster or Mitsubishi Rosa | 22 | Ask for price | On request |
| 33-seater bus | Mercedes-Benz or Isuzu | 33 | Ask for price | On request |
Keeping the vehicle 3 days or more
| Vehicle | Model | Seats | Price (per day) | With 16% VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-seater minivan | Toyota Noah | 7 | Ask for price | On request |
| 10-seater van | Toyota Hiace | 10 | Ask for price | On request |
| 14-seater van | Toyota Hiace | 14 | KES 25,000 | KES 29,000 |
| 16-seater van | Toyota Hiace | 16 | KES 25,000 | KES 29,000 |
| 22-seater bus | Toyota Coaster or Mitsubishi Rosa | 22 | KES 40,000 | KES 46,400 |
| 33-seater bus | Mercedes-Benz or Isuzu | 33 | Ask for price | On request |
What's included
- Private vehicle for your group only, with an experienced driver
- Pickup at your exact point: SGR terminus, airport arrivals, home, office or hotel
- Room for luggage, beach gear and children's buggies
- Fuel and driver costs included in the quoted vehicle price
- Agreed stops for food, fuel and photos along the way
- Pro forma invoice with VAT shown separately, for companies and pension schemes
The route from Nairobi to Diani
Most groups leave Nairobi between 5 and 6 am. The first stretch runs along Mombasa Road through Athi River, Machakos Junction and Emali. Mtito Andei, roughly halfway, is the usual breakfast or lunch stop. After Voi the road crosses the dry Taru plains to Mariakani and Mazeras.
Near Miritini the driver leaves the Nairobi highway and joins the Dongo Kundu bypass, the Mombasa Southern Bypass. It crosses Mwache and Mteza creeks and reaches the South Coast without entering Mombasa island. From there it is a short run through Kwale to Ukunda and onto Diani Beach Road. Before the bypass opened in August 2024, the Likoni ferry crossing often added one to two hours.
Timing tips
- Leave before 6 am to clear Nairobi before traffic and reach Diani by mid-afternoon.
- Avoid arriving on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway after dark around Mariakani, where trucks queue for the port.
- Friday departures in December and at Easter are the busiest. Book at least two weeks ahead for those dates.
Road or SGR?
The road transfer takes longer than the Madaraka Express, but it is door to door. You avoid moving bags at two stations, you can stop when you want, and the vehicle stays with you at the coast if you book extra days. Smaller groups often prefer the train and our pickup from Mombasa SGR terminus to Diani.
Get your price on WhatsApp
Pick the trip and group size. We suggest the right vehicle and open WhatsApp with your details filled in.
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Tap a vehicle to choose it. Estimate only; your pro forma invoice confirms the price. Prices exclude 16% VAT.
How to book
- Send your details on WhatsApp or by phone: date, pickup point, drop-off, number of passengers and luggage.
- Get a pro forma invoice with the vehicle, price and 16% VAT shown separately.
- Pay a 40% deposit by M-Pesa or bank transfer to confirm. The balance is due before the trip.
- Receive your driver's name and number before travel day, so you can reach them directly.
Nairobi to Diani Transfer: questions people ask
How long does it take to drive from Nairobi to Diani?
About 8 to 10 hours for roughly 520 km, including a breakfast or lunch stop. Leaving Nairobi before 6 am usually means reaching Diani by mid-afternoon.
How much is a Nairobi to Diani transfer in 2026?
KES 60,000 one way for a 14- or 16-seater Toyota Hiace with driver, for a drop-off or a pick-up, plus 16% VAT. If you keep the vehicle for 3 days or more, it is KES 25,000 per day. Other vehicle sizes are quoted on request.
Do we still need to use the Likoni ferry to reach Diani?
No. Your driver uses the Dongo Kundu bypass from Miritini to the South Coast, which skips the Likoni ferry and Mombasa island traffic.
Can we stop on the way, for example at Mtito Andei or Voi?
Yes. Agree your stops when you book and the driver plans them into the day. Mtito Andei and Voi are the usual food and fuel stops.
Is it cheaper to take the SGR and then a van to Diani?
For a small group it often is: an SGR economy ticket is KES 1,500 per adult, and a 7-seater Toyota Noah from Mombasa terminus to Diani costs KES 10,000 one way. For larger groups with lots of luggage, a single road transfer is simpler and can cost about the same.
How much is a drop-off and pick-up from Nairobi to Diani?
Two one-way transfers: KES 60,000 to drop you in Diani and KES 60,000 to collect you, for a 14- or 16-seater, plus VAT. If your stay is short, keeping the vehicle at KES 25,000 per day can cost less; ask us to compare.
How do I confirm a booking?
Send your dates and group size, receive a pro forma invoice, and pay a 40% deposit by M-Pesa or bank transfer.