Kenya Railways Introduces Extra SGR Train for Christmas and New Year Travel

Kenya Railways has announced an additional Madaraka Express train service to handle the expected increase in passenger numbers during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.

In a notice issued on Friday, November 13, the corporation revealed that the extra train would operate between December 1, 2026, and January 4, 2027, alongside the existing passenger services.

The additional service will provide another travel option for passengers travelling between Nairobi and Mombasa, with stops at Voi.

According to the schedule released by Kenya Railways, the train will depart Nairobi Terminus at 9:40am and arrive at Voi at 1:35pm. It will then proceed to Mombasa Terminus, where it is expected to arrive at 3:35pm.

For passengers travelling from the Coast, the train will leave Mombasa at 4:30pm, stop at Voi at approximately 6:15pm and arrive in Nairobi at 10:55pm.

The additional service is expected to ease congestion on existing trains during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, when thousands of Kenyans travel to visit relatives, attend celebrations and take holidays.

Kenya Railways said the decision was informed by increased passenger demand during the festive season.

The move follows previous holiday periods when the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) experienced high demand, with available seats filling up quickly. During the August holidays, the railway service reportedly reached full capacity, prompting calls for additional coaches and services.

The new schedule will operate outside the usual departure arrangements for the regular inter-county and express trains.

Passengers intending to use the additional service can purchase tickets through the official Kenya Railways online booking platform, the USSD code *639#, or by visiting Madaraka Express passenger stations.

Travellers have been encouraged to make early bookings to avoid missing seats during the festive rush.

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/129355-kenya-railways-adds-madaraka-express-trains-festive-season-releases-new-schedule

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