SGR Shuttle Shanzu: direct transfer from Miritini terminus

Miritini to Shanzu in about 40 minutes. KES 450 per person.

SGR Shuttle Mombasa runs a direct transfer from Miritini SGR terminus to Shanzu, the quieter stretch of north coast beach that sits just beyond Bamburi. It's 22 km from the terminus, about 40 minutes on a normal day. A lot of visitors who want the north coast experience without the busier Bamburi strip end up here, and most of them pre-book the transfer before they board in Nairobi.

Shanzu doesn't have the same name recognition as Diani or Malindi, but that's part of the appeal. Smaller resorts, fewer crowds, the same reef-protected ocean. Your driver's assigned to your train. No guessing at the terminus gate.

Miritini SGR to Shanzu: route overview

The drive from Miritini to Shanzu runs north on the B8 coastal highway, through Nyali and past Bamburi before reaching the Shanzu stretch of coast. No ferry crossing, no bridge queues to factor in. It's a straightforward run, 22 km, about 40 minutes under normal conditions. The B8 can slow down around Nyali during morning rush hour, which adds 10 to 15 minutes, but it clears fairly quickly once you're past the junction.

Your driver waits at the SGR Shuttle Mombasa meeting point at the Miritini arrivals gate with a sign bearing your name. Your booking confirmation includes their phone number so you can reach them the moment you're through arrivals. They track the live SGR arrivals board, so a late train doesn't cost you extra waiting time on either side.

Drop-off is door-to-door at your Shanzu hotel. Give us the hotel name at booking since Shanzu properties are spread across a few kilometres of coast road and your driver needs to know which end to head to.

SGR shuttle Shanzu fare from Miritini

Fixed fare, set at booking. No surprise at drop-off.

Prices last updated June 2026. Private transfers cover direct transport with no other stops.

How to book your SGR shuttle to Shanzu

About Shanzu

Shanzu sits just north of Bamburi on the B8 coastal road, and the difference between the two is noticeable fairly quickly. Bamburi has more commercial activity, more independent restaurants and shops along the beach road. Shanzu is quieter, more resort-focused, with properties set among coconut palms away from the main highway. If you're coming for the beach and not much else, Shanzu tends to suit people who want exactly that without the busier strip nearby.

The beach itself is reef-protected and calm, similar in quality to Bamburi but with fewer people on it. The fishing village at the southern end of Shanzu is worth a walk if you're staying a few days, it gives you a sense of what the coast looked like before the resorts arrived. Local boats still go out early morning and come back mid-morning with the catch, and a few local food spots near the village serve fresh seafood at reasonable prices.

Serena Beach Resort is the best-known property in Shanzu, a large established resort with good beach frontage. Several smaller boutique hotels and lodges operate along the same stretch for travellers who want something less resort-scale.

Shanzu works well year-round. There's no real peak or off season for the beach here, though July and August and December to January see the highest visitor numbers across the whole north coast.

Why pre-book your Shanzu transfer from Miritini?

Shanzu is less well known than Bamburi, which actually makes the transport question more important, not less.

Heading somewhere else on the coast?

We cover all destinations from Miritini. If Shanzu isn't quite right or your group is splitting up, here's the rest of the north coast network.

Frequently asked questions: SGR shuttle to Shanzu

• How much is the SGR shuttle from Mombasa to Shanzu?

  KES 450 per person from Miritini SGR terminus to Shanzu. Fixed fare, confirmed at booking. Nothing added on arrival.

• How far is Shanzu from SGR Mombasa terminus?

  Shanzu is 22 km from Mombasa SGR Terminus at Miritini. The transfer runs north on the B8 coastal highway through Nyali and Bamburi and takes about 40 minutes under normal traffic. No ferry crossing on this route.

• How far is Shanzu from Mombasa town?

  Shanzu sits roughly 18 km north of Mombasa city centre, just past Bamburi along the B8 coastal road. From Miritini SGR terminus the distance is 22 km since the terminus is on the western outskirts of Mombasa.

• Is Shanzu or Bamburi better for the beach?

  Both have reef-protected beaches with calm water. Bamburi has more going on, more restaurants, shops, and facilities along the strip. Shanzu is quieter and more resort-focused. If you want convenience and options nearby, Bamburi. If you want a quieter beach stay, Shanzu. The transfer fare to Bamburi is KES 400, while to Shanzu it is KES 400.

• Can I get a transfer from Shanzu back to SGR Mombasa?

  Yes. We run return transfers from Shanzu to Miritini terminus for passengers heading back to Nairobi by SGR. Book in advance with your departure train number and we'll arrange pick-up from your Shanzu hotel with enough time to make the train comfortably.

• What hotels are in Shanzu near the SGR shuttle drop-off?

  Serena Beach Resort is the best known and one of the larger properties in Shanzu. Several smaller boutique hotels and lodges operate along the same stretch of coast. Drop-off is door-to-door at your specific hotel, so give us the name when booking and your driver will go straight there.

• What is the best way to get from SGR Mombasa to Shanzu?

  A pre-booked shuttle from Miritini is the most direct option. Public transport to Shanzu requires connecting from Mombasa CBD rather than from the SGR terminus, which with luggage means a commuter train into town and then connections north. A 40-minute direct transfer for KES 400 is the simpler and more reliable choice.