Lamu Airport is on Manda, not on Lamu
Lamu Manda Airport (LAU) sits on Manda Island, across the channel from Lamu Town. After you land, the last stretch is by boat. Lamu Town, the old town and the waterfront are on Lamu Island, so plan for a flight, a short boat ride and then a walk or a donkey for your bags.
The British government recommends flying to Lamu Airport and advises against travelling to Lamu by road. That is the main reason this page puts flights first. For the wider travel advice see the safety page.
Flights to Lamu
What airlines and hotels publish. Schedules change, so check the current timetable before you book.
| From | Airline | Listed times | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi Wilson | Safarilink | Flight 051, daily, 13:50–15:15 | Listed as 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Lamu to Nairobi Wilson | Safarilink | Flight 052, daily, 15:35–17:30 | Listed as 1 hour 55 minutes, so check whether it stops |
| Nairobi JKIA (NBO) | Jambojet | Daily, about 1 hour 20 minutes | From a hotel's travel page |
| Mombasa (MBA) | Skyward | Daily, about 40 minutes | From a hotel's travel page |
| Malindi | – | – | Hotels mention connections, including Safarilink via Malindi |
Hotel flight tables can differ from the airline's own. One Shela hotel lists the Nairobi flight at 13:30–15:15 and the return at 15:30–17:50, a few minutes off the airline's published times. Use the airline's current timetable as the reference. Skyward states daily flights to Lamu on its own site. No 2026 fares are given here, because fares change by date.
Old guides still list Airkenya on the coast. The airline reported the end of its Lamu, Malindi and Diani routes on 11 January 2019, so do not plan around it.
Our pick: a first walk in town
If you stay in the Old Town, the boat from the airport brings you to the waterfront, and this heritage walk starts at Lamu House, close to the town jetty.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours around Lamu
Old town walks, dhow sails and island trips once you have arrived, with live prices and availability.
From the airport to Lamu Town and Shela
The boat is part of every arrival.
Hotel transfers
Some hotels collect guests at the airstrip. Lamu House, at the town jetty, lists a private boat transfer for guests, about 5 minutes to the hotel. Peponi in Shela collects guests and brings them by hotel boat, and its 2026 rates include the airport transfer. Ask your hotel what it includes.
Without a hotel transfer
For the airport crossing without a hotel transfer, agree the fare and the destination before you board, and ask whether the price is per boat or per person.
Luggage
Lamu Town has narrow lanes, and donkeys carry loads. Pack a bag you can carry over uneven ground, and agree a price before a porter takes your bags.
Evening arrivals
The listed Safarilink arrival is mid-afternoon, which leaves daylight for the boat. For a late arrival, ask your hotel in advance whether a boat will meet you after dark.
Mombasa to Lamu by road
Possible, but the advice is to fly.
The road ends on the mainland at Mokowe Jetty, where you park or change to a boat for Lamu. One Shela hotel puts the journey at about 7 hours from Mombasa and at least 4 hours from Malindi. Treat those figures as a rough guide, not a bus timetable.
The British government advises against road travel to Lamu. The German Foreign Office says that if you must travel by road north of Malindi, you should use a guarded convoy and avoid driving at night. A press report of 27 May 2026 describes a court-suspended night restriction on the roads and continuing checkpoints. No current convoy departure times or bus fares are published here. If you consider the road, read the current advice for your country first.
Travel advice by country →Entry rule: Kenyan travel insurance since 5 October 2026
New for visitors this autumn.
The British government describes a mandatory Kenyan travel health insurance, provided by the government, since 5 October 2026. It applies to most visitors who stay less than 12 months. If you need an eTA, you take it out during the application. If you already hold an eTA, you use the insurance portal. The cover is valid for 90 days, and a foreign policy does not replace it.
Exceptions listed are Kenyan citizens, holders of valid Kenyan residence status, citizens of East African Community states and passengers in transit who do not pass immigration. The German Foreign Office confirms the rule, including for an eTA issued earlier. Check your own situation and the price on the government portal before you fly.
Getting to Lamu: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Lamu?
Fly to Lamu Manda Airport (LAU) on Manda Island, then take a boat to Lamu Town. The British government recommends flying and advises against road travel.
How do I get from Mombasa to Lamu?
Skyward is listed with daily flights from Mombasa, about 40 minutes, per a hotel's travel page. By road, the journey ends at Mokowe Jetty, about 7 hours from Mombasa by one hotel's estimate, followed by a boat. Check current advice before choosing the road.
Is the airport on Lamu Island?
No. The airport is on Manda Island. A short boat ride takes you across the channel to Lamu Town.
Are there cars on Lamu?
Do not count on a car. Boats, walking and donkeys are the normal ways to move around town, and you leave the airport by boat. Ask your hotel how it handles transport and luggage.
Do I need Kenyan travel insurance?
Most visitors staying under 12 months do, since 5 October 2026, according to the British government. Foreign policies do not replace it. Exemptions apply to Kenyan citizens, residents, East African Community citizens and transit passengers.