Do you think travelling to Nairobi, Kenya is expensive? That doesn't have to be the case. Here are six tips to get cheap flights to Nairobi.1. Book Chartered Flights
Packages with a flight included are sometimes cheaper than a separate flight. So have a look at package deals from charter companies. You aren't obliged to stay in their accommodation, of course.
Some charters fly to Mombasa (at the coast) instead of Nairobi. Mombasa is much closer to the beach resorts, and also close to major wildlife parks like Tsavo East and West. A number of Kenyan air companies fly between Mombasa and Nairobi, and there's also a bus and a night train, taking around 9 hours.
2. Book Separate Flights
There are no direct flights from the USA or Canada to Nairobi. So from North America you'll always have to fly over Europe (typically Amsterdam, Brussels or London), or alternatively the Middle East. Often you can save money by first buying a cheap ticket to Europe and then a separate ticket to Kenya
3. Go With Flying Blue
Kenya Airways, the main Kenyan air company, is member of the Flying Blue program together with Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Air France, KLM, Delta Airlines, Aeromexico, and Korean Air. If you travel with them, you earn Flying Blue points, and with enough points you qualify for better ticket and hotel deals, free upgrades, etc. KLM (the major Dutch air company) has a joint venture with Kenya Airways and Amsterdam is a major hub for flights to Nairobi.
4. Time Your Trip
The tourist seasons in Kenya are December-January and July-August. Prices go up then, not only of air tickets but also of accommodations. So travelling outside these periods will give better deals.
Flying on inconvenient times (very early in the morning, or late at night) will usually give you better prices. If you include a weekend day, air companies assume you are a tourist instead of a business traveller. However, if you do include a weekend, don't fly on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday as these are typically the days when most tourists travel.
5. Book A Round-The-World Ticket
If you'd like to go to Nairobi as part of a much longer journey, then a round-the-world (RTW) ticket may be good for you. Several alliances of air companies offer RTW tickets, all with different conditions. The Star Alliance, in which nineteen air companies take part, is one of the best known. Some are based on mileage, others on time period.
6. Shop Around
And as always... don't book too soon. The Kenyan tourism sector is pretty competitive, and it pays to ask around, compare prizes and don't part with your hard earned cash too soon.
Arjen Koopman is an Amsterdam-based journalist, and webmaster of http://www.kenya-advisor.com the independent travel and country portal to Kenya. More information about cheap flights to Kenya is at http://www.kenya-advisor.com/cheap-flights-to-nairobi.html - An overview of all air connections to Kenya is at http://www.kenya-advisor.com/flights-to-nairobi.html
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