JKIA Car Rental Pickup Guide — How It Actually Works
Most ICABS rentals offer free pickup at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The owner meets you at the official Meet & Greet zone in the arrivals hall, hands over the vehicle in the short-stay car park, and you're driving within 20–30 minutes of clearing immigration. Pickup is available 24/7; after-hours fees apply between 22:00 and 06:00. Always share your flight number when booking so the owner can track delays.
After-hours and delayed flights
Pickups between 22:00 and 06:00 attract a small after-hours fee (KES 500–1,500 depending on the owner). If your flight is delayed by more than 2 hours, message the owner via in-app chat — most will wait without charge. If the delay is overnight, the owner will reschedule for the morning.
Wilson Airport and Eldoret pickups
ICABS also covers Wilson Airport (smaller domestic terminal in Nairobi) and Eldoret International Airport. The flow is identical — meet at arrivals, walk to the car park together. Eldoret is particularly handy for the Rift Valley and Kapsabet trips.
What to bring with you to JKIA
Have ready: your driving licence (or IDP for visitors), your passport or national ID, the credit card used to book, and the printed or screenshot booking confirmation. The owner verifies these in 2 minutes during handover.
How to pick up a rental car at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Estimated time: 30 min
What you'll need
- Valid driving licence (or International Driving Permit for foreign visitors)
- Passport or national ID
- Credit card used for the booking
- ICABS booking confirmation
- 1
Book the rental
Book the vehicle on icabs.co.ke and tick 'JKIA pickup' in the location options.
- 2
Share your flight number
Add your flight number and arrival time in the booking notes so the owner can track delays.
- 3
Owner monitors your flight
The owner waits at the arrivals hall Meet & Greet zone from your scheduled landing time.
- 4
Clear immigration and customs
Land at JKIA, clear immigration and customs as normal, and proceed to the arrivals hall.
- 5
Find your name on a sign
The owner will be holding a printed name card or showing one on their phone with your name.
- 6
Walk to the short-stay car park
The owner walks with you to the short-stay car park (approximately 5 minutes from arrivals).
- 7
Vehicle handover
The owner does a 5-minute handover covering fuel level, damage check and navigation tips. Sign the handover form and drive away.
Frequently asked
Is JKIA pickup actually free?
Yes — the majority of ICABS owners include JKIA pickup at no extra cost. A small after-hours surcharge applies between 22:00 and 06:00 on some listings.
What if my flight is delayed?
Message the owner via in-app chat. Most will wait up to 2 hours of delay at no charge. Longer delays are rescheduled to the next available time.
Can I drop off at JKIA at the end of my rental?
Yes — JKIA drop-off is included on the same listings that offer pickup. Park in the short-stay lot, message the owner, and hand over the keys.
About David Otieno
Operations Lead, ICABS Coast
David runs ICABS rental operations across the South Coast — Mombasa, Diani and Malindi — and has overseen 5,000+ Likoni ferry pickups. He writes about coastal trip logistics and the realities of cross-county rentals.