SGR booking and payment: the Madaraka Express, end to end
Everything about travelling on the SGR: paybill 809888 with the booking reference as the account, the full fare table, the timetable, and the two-minute payment window that quietly cancels bookings.
About the Madaraka Express
The Madaraka Express Passenger Service is the passenger train on Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway, run by Kenya Railways. It serves 13 destinations between Mombasa and Suswa: three daily services on the Mombasa line and a weekend leisure train plus a weekday commuter service on the Nairobi–Suswa line. You book on metickets.krc.co.ke, on *639#, or at a station counter, and you pay by M-PESA. Cards are not accepted.
SGR guides
How to book
SGR Booking: 3 Official Ways to Book Madaraka Express
Paying with M-PESA
SGR Paybill 809888: Pay for Madaraka Express on M-PESA
Fares
SGR Fares 2026: Economy, First and Premium Class Prices
Schedule and stations
SGR Timetable 2026: Departure Times and Every Station
Paid but no ticket
SGR Payment Not Reflecting: Paid But No Ticket SMS
Reschedule or cancel
SGR Reschedule and Cancellation: 48 Hours, 10% and 30%
What to carry
SGR Travel Rules: ID, Luggage Limit and What Is Banned
Where Kenya Railways contradicts itself
Two Kenya Railways websites disagree on two points that matter, and both were live when we checked on 13 September 2026. We have published both readings rather than quietly picking the tidier one.
Group bookings. The krc.co.ke FAQ says groups over 20 passengers must book 62 days ahead. The metickets.krc.co.ke FAQ says group bookings are not facilitated at all.
How you may pay. The metickets FAQ says payment is by M-PESA SIM toolkit only, plus POS at the counter. The same site's payments page describes a separate Pay Bill transfer route with its own 30-minute window.
If either point decides your trip, call 0709 388 887 and get it settled by a person.
Frequently asked
How do I book an SGR ticket online?
At metickets.krc.co.ke. Choose the train type, your two stations and the date, then pay by M-PESA. You can also book on *639# or at any station counter. Booking opens 60 days before travel.
What is the SGR paybill number?
The paybill is 809888 and the account number is the booking reference the system issues when you book, not your phone number. Book first, then pay.
How much is the SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa?
KSh 1,500 in Economy, KSh 4,500 in First Class and KSh 12,000 in Premium, one way. A Premium return is KSh 20,000.
What time does the SGR leave?
Three services daily in both directions, departing simultaneously at 8:00 am (Inter-County), 3:00 pm (Express) and 10:00 pm (Night). The Suswa train runs Friday to Sunday.
Why was my SGR booking cancelled before I paid?
The payment window ran out. Kenya Railways gives about two minutes on the PIN-prompt route and about 30 minutes on a paybill transfer, after which the seat is released.
Can I pay for SGR with a card?
No. Kenya Railways says it does not accept credit or debit cards at the moment. Payment is M-PESA, or POS at a station counter.