Buses from Nairobi to Arusha from KES 3,503 Sep 2026 ✅

Nairobi to Arusha Destination Reviews

Grace P

On 26 May, my scheduled trip from Arusha to Nairobi was cancelled by your service provider. No reason was provided for this cancellation. On the same day, I received a call from your office requesting that I confirm a return trip from Nairobi to Arusha. However, since I had not been transported to Nairobi as originally booked, it was not feasible to confirm a return journey. I would also like to express my concern regarding your cancellation policy, which appears to allow a refund only if the customer does not initiate the cancellation. Given that the cancellation was made by your service provider, I trust this policy does not apply in this instance. Following this frustrating situation, I made alternative arrangements and booked a round-trip with another bus company. Consequently, I was unable to confirm the return ticket you requested, as other commitments had already been made. My primary concern at this time is to obtain a full refund for both the outbound and return portions of my original ticket, as I was unable to use your services at all. Please inform me of when the total refund will be processed. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Nairobi to Arusha, Bus Standard, Kidia One Express, May 28, 2026

5.0

3 customer reviews

100%

Nairobi to Arusha Bus Schedule

Operator	Class	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Price
Tahmeed Coach	VIP-Class	04:00	09:00	$40.00
Coast Bus	Economy Class	04:00	08:40	$30.00
Tahmeed Coach	VIP-Class	04:45	09:45	$40.00
Coast Bus	Economy Class	04:45	09:25	$30.00
Tahmeed Coach	VIP-Class	05:00	10:00	$40.00
Coast Bus	Economy Class	05:00	09:40	$30.00
Kidia One Express	Standard	06:00	10:00	$18.00
Salum Rashid Classic Coach	Standard	07:00	11:00	$22.91
Ngurdoto Shuttles	Standard AC	07:41	14:30	$24.04
Arusha Shuttle	Standard AC	08:00	14:30	$21.95
Nairobi Arusha Shuttle Bus	Minibus	08:00	14:30	$25.09
Impala Shuttle	Minibus	08:15	14:30	$25.09
Nairobi Arusha Shuttle Bus	Minibus	08:15	14:30	$25.09
Riverside Shuttle	Comfort	08:30	13:30	$25.00
Arusha Shuttle	Standard AC	08:30	14:30	$21.95
Tahmeed Coach	VIP-Class	16:45	21:45	$40.00
Coast Bus	Economy Class	16:45	21:25	$30.00
Kidia One Express	Standard	20:00	00:00	$18.00

How to get from Nairobi to Arusha by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Nairobi to Arusha by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Nairobi to Arusha a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How long does it take to get from Nairobi to Arusha by bus?

Buses normally need between 5h 30m and 6h 30m hours to get to Arusha from Nairobi. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Nairobi Arusha Shuttle offers the fastest service. Arusha Shuttle buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Nairobi to Arusha by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Nairobi and Arusha remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Nairobi Arusha Shuttle Bus and costs USD 27.06. A Nairobi Arusha Shuttle Bus's ticket will set you back USD 27.06 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Nairobi to Arusha

Facts about the bus from Nairobi to Arusha

Cheapest Bus	$28
Fastest Bus	5h 30m
Earliest Bus	8:00 AM
Latest Bus	2:59 PM
Daily Bus Routes	10
Distance	851 kilometers
Bus Companies	Arusha Shuttle, Nairobi Arusha Shuttle, Nairobi Arusha Shuttle Bus, Nairobi Arusha Shuttle Bus, Ngurdoto Shuttles

Popular Routes

Buses from Nairobi to Arusha