Flying from Seattle to Nairobi: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Seattle. Check out your options leaving from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Lake Union Sea Plane Base Airport (LKE) when booking your flight from Seattle to Nairobi.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are Nairobi's major gateways.
Nairobi is ten hours ahead of Seattle and is in the UTC+3 timezone.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your Seattle to Nairobi flight.
Flying during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Nairobi
To find cheap Seattle to Nairobi flights, book ahead. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when flights first go on sale.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Seattle to Nairobi is more likely if you can be flexible with your dates. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest fares across every month and snap up an awesome deal.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Seattle to Nairobi.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Seattle to Nairobi flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
We make it a breeze to find a Seattle to Nairobi flight with a stopover. To see all the options departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located around 18 kilometres from the centre of Seattle, SEA can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 55 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Seattle to Nairobi? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has an excellent on-time performance, making delays less likely. Departures from SEA land on schedule 81.27% of the time.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is approximately 13 kilometres from central Nairobi. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 20 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Seattle to Nairobi, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near NBO:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of Nairobi and beyond.
Booking your ride from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around three weeks in advance can help you secure the lowest rate.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Wilson Airport (WIL) is about 2 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi. Once you've hopped off your flight from Seattle to Nairobi, it takes approximately 15 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the centre in 45 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to WIL. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Seattle to Nairobi:
Grab a Wilson Airport rental car and take the scenic route to your next destination. You can select from trusted companies like Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car.
Typically, the sooner you book, the bigger the savings and variety of vehicles. Lock in your ride from WIL once you know your travel dates.
Best time to go to Nairobi
February is the quietest month for flights from Seattle to Nairobi, while July is the busiest. Find the ideal time to visit Nairobi based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Seattle to Nairobi tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. March is the warmest month in Nairobi, with temperatures ranging from 14ºC to 30ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Seattle to Nairobi in July when temperatures average between 12ºC and 24ºC.
More about Nairobi
Once you've booked your flight from Seattle to Nairobi, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Nairobi:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are must-visits when exploring Nairobi.
Explore more of Kenya
Nairobi is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Kenya just waiting to be explored. Around 434 kilometres south-east of Nairobi, a trip to Mombasa will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like Fort Jesus, Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa.
Nakuru is another standout destination in Kenya and is around 145 kilometres north-west of Nairobi. No journey is complete without seeing ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest.