NBO / Nairobi Airport - Connections, Facilities, Layovers, etc.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 244
NBO / Nairobi Airport - Connections, Facilities, Layovers, etc.
Can advise whether there is any sort of luggage storage available at NBO? Specifically, I'd like to leave a hardsided suitcase containing cold-weather clothes from my European stopover as well as any souvenirs purchased in Nairobi, and carry just my duffel with safari/beach clothes for the next week. I am returning from Zanzibar through NBO, and will have a five-hour layover there before my international flight, so I should have enough time to retrieve my bag.
In google searches, I've found several statements to the effect that NBO has a left luggage office, but my travel agent has advised that there are no luggage storage facilities at the airport, and that my only option would be to have the ground operator in Nairobi hold onto the bags, and then coordinate with them to drop off the bags at the airport when we arrive from Zanzibar. This would cost $80, and would also require leaving the secure area of the airport to pick up the bags from the driver. Given this conflicting info, I'm a little confused. If anyone with recent experience could advise on left luggage options at NBO, I would greatly appreciate it.
In google searches, I've found several statements to the effect that NBO has a left luggage office, but my travel agent has advised that there are no luggage storage facilities at the airport, and that my only option would be to have the ground operator in Nairobi hold onto the bags, and then coordinate with them to drop off the bags at the airport when we arrive from Zanzibar. This would cost $80, and would also require leaving the secure area of the airport to pick up the bags from the driver. Given this conflicting info, I'm a little confused. If anyone with recent experience could advise on left luggage options at NBO, I would greatly appreciate it.
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NBO, MEL
Programs: QR Platinum, TK Elite
Posts: 1,355
Can advise whether there is any sort of luggage storage available at NBO? Specifically, I'd like to leave a hardsided suitcase containing cold-weather clothes from my European stopover as well as any souvenirs purchased in Nairobi, and carry just my duffel with safari/beach clothes for the next week. I am returning from Zanzibar through NBO, and will have a five-hour layover there before my international flight, so I should have enough time to retrieve my bag.
In google searches, I've found several statements to the effect that NBO has a left luggage office, but my travel agent has advised that there are no luggage storage facilities at the airport, and that my only option would be to have the ground operator in Nairobi hold onto the bags, and then coordinate with them to drop off the bags at the airport when we arrive from Zanzibar. This would cost $80, and would also require leaving the secure area of the airport to pick up the bags from the driver. Given this conflicting info, I'm a little confused. If anyone with recent experience could advise on left luggage options at NBO, I would greatly appreciate it.
In google searches, I've found several statements to the effect that NBO has a left luggage office, but my travel agent has advised that there are no luggage storage facilities at the airport, and that my only option would be to have the ground operator in Nairobi hold onto the bags, and then coordinate with them to drop off the bags at the airport when we arrive from Zanzibar. This would cost $80, and would also require leaving the secure area of the airport to pick up the bags from the driver. Given this conflicting info, I'm a little confused. If anyone with recent experience could advise on left luggage options at NBO, I would greatly appreciate it.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,537
The airport is a bit of a dump but very easy to navigate. After you clear immigration signs are clearly marked toward baggage claim and then exit. Your daughter should meet you right outside baggage claim with no issues
#6
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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If you don't want to get stuck in a long, long line, walk as fast as you can to immigration. It's a slow process and if you are behind a hundred other people you will be there a long time. If you don't have a visa in advance, make sure you fill out the form on the plane and have a new $50 bill ready. They don't accept old money. Make sure it's a new one with the red ink (or 2 20's and a 10) .
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
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What to do in NBO on long layover?
Family have an 11 hour layover in NBO on return flight. We've already read this thread so they know they don't need a visa for the outbound which has a much more reasonable transit time (which was my recollection from several years back too), but I can think of few things I'd rather do than spend 11 hours in NBO - even in a lounge!
So anyone with any words of wisdom? Do any of the local hotels offer day rooms, or are there any easy tours to do?
So anyone with any words of wisdom? Do any of the local hotels offer day rooms, or are there any easy tours to do?
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: united, american, alaska
Posts: 1,782
Have a taxi take you to Karen and see Karen Blixen's house and the giraffe center. Since the only other things anyone is likely to bother to see in Nairobi itself are the market and the natural history museum, you'll have had as much of the local tourist scene as most folks.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: UK
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, BA Silver, FB Explorer
Posts: 995
The giraffe centre is a lot of fun.
Alternatively the Intercontinental used to do day rooms but I'm not sure what they'd charge. We did an overnight there but met another couple who were only had a day room.
I'd try anything rather than 11 hors in a lounge at NBO! Have been in both the Skyteam lounge and the BA lounge about 6 months ago and neither were places to enjoy (more like endure) for 11 hours.
Alternatively the Intercontinental used to do day rooms but I'm not sure what they'd charge. We did an overnight there but met another couple who were only had a day room.
I'd try anything rather than 11 hors in a lounge at NBO! Have been in both the Skyteam lounge and the BA lounge about 6 months ago and neither were places to enjoy (more like endure) for 11 hours.
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
Have found this for day tours - but it strikes me as a bit expensive:
http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/a...bidaytours.asp
http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/a...bidaytours.asp
#11
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
I'll see if I can find a card from the tour company I used. There is a national park right on the outskirts of Nairobi - I saw giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, various gazelles, various birds, and a lioness, in 4 hours - not exactly the safari of the year, but as a stop off on a work trip, I couldn't complain.
#12
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,430
Having seen 2 of the 3 lounges at NBO, I'd be booking a day room. The Serena was eye-wateringly expensive but has a delightful pool area. if you have any local contacts they may be able to help.
#13
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I would call the concierge at the IC. They arranged for a day trip to Lake Nakuru for me once that wasn't too expensive. The roads have improved in recent years so its pretty easy to get to and an unforgettable experience.
I'm flying to NBO tonight so ping me if you need any local advice.
I'm flying to NBO tonight so ping me if you need any local advice.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,293
Go eat at one of the best - correction - absolute best Indian restaurant for kebabs! haandi -
Mezz Floor, The Mall, P. O. Box 45398
Lower Kabete Road, Spring Valley, Nairobi, 45398-001000, Kenya
+254 20 4448294
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant...i-Nairobi.html
Mezz Floor, The Mall, P. O. Box 45398
Lower Kabete Road, Spring Valley, Nairobi, 45398-001000, Kenya
+254 20 4448294
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant...i-Nairobi.html
#15
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
NBO lounges
I'll be flying Swiss to NBO in November and probably will have to spend 2-3 hours in the airport before leaving on a 12:20 a.m. flight. I know Swiss doesn't have a lounge there. What airlines do have lounges?