Skip to content

Moi International Airport (MBA) → Diani Beach transfer

The private transfer from Moi International Airport to Diani Beach covers about 46 km and normally takes 63–79 minutes, with a standard car usually costing around €45–60. Your driver meets you in arrivals and takes you to your resort, villa or kite school without stops for other passengers.

From
Moi International Airport (MBA)
To
Diani Beach
Distance
46 km
Typical drive
63–79 min

Diani is the busiest resort strip on Kenya's south coast, so it is also the route where timing and traffic make the biggest difference.

Ferry or bypass: how the drive works

Diani lies south of Mombasa, across the harbour channel. There are two ways to get there. One crosses Mombasa island to the Likoni ferry; the other avoids the ferry by taking the Dongo Kundu bypass, which starts on the airport side of the city and joins the south coast road further down.

Your provider picks the route on the day, based on ferry queues and traffic. Either way, the last part runs along the main road through Ukunda, where you turn towards the beach road that runs parallel to the shore.

Where the Diani hotels are

Diani Beach Road runs for several kilometres behind the sand, with large resorts, small guesthouses and private villas spread along it. Galu, at the southern end, is quieter. Many villas sit on short side lanes, so give the exact property name and, if you have one, a location pin when you book.

Colobus monkeys cross the beach road here, and you will see rope bridges hung over it for them. Drivers slow down for them, which is one reason the last kilometre can feel slow.

Indicative prices and vehicles

Standard car, 1–3 passengers
Usually around €45–60 for the whole car. Fine for couples and small families with normal suitcases.
Minivan, up to about 7
Usually around €60–85. The better choice for groups, and for kitesurf boards, dive bags or golf bags, which need to be declared when booking.

Going back to the airport from Diani

Plan to leave Diani about four and a half hours before an international departure. That covers the drive, a buffer for ferry queues or bypass traffic, and roughly three hours at the terminal. On Friday evenings and at holiday weekends add a little more.

Frequently asked questions

Will my driver use the Likoni ferry?

Possibly. The provider chooses between the ferry and the Dongo Kundu bypass on the day, depending on queues and traffic. The price does not change with the route.

Is Ukunda the same as Diani?

Ukunda is the town on the main road, and Diani Beach is the resort strip along the coast a short drive away. Your transfer goes all the way to your hotel or villa, not just to Ukunda.

Can you drop us at a private villa in Galu?

Yes. Give the villa name, the caretaker's phone number if you have it, and a location pin. Some lanes are unpaved, so the driver may call ahead to confirm the gate.

How much is a minivan from MBA to Diani?

A minivan for up to about seven people usually costs around €60–85. The exact price for your date and luggage appears before you confirm.

Do we need cash for the ferry?

No. Any crossing is part of the transfer, and the price you see when booking is the total for the vehicle.

More transfers from Moi International Airport

Moi International Airport: arrival and transfer guide