Online booking for Coast Bus provides a modern way to travel with one of Kenya’s most established transport companies. Cost Bus is known as a legacy provider.
The bus been a reliable choice for generations of travelers, primarily on the vital route connecting Nairobi with coastal destinations like Mombasa, Mtwapa, and Malindi.
To secure your seat without the hassle of visiting a booking office, their online platform is the way to go. This guide will walk you through their specific booking process, show you how to handle the M-Pesa payment, and explain what to do once your ticket is confirmed.
The Official Coast Bus Online Booking Procedure
To book your ticket on the coastbus.co.ke website, you will need to follow a series of clear steps. Have your travel details ready, and the process should be quick and straightforward.
Step 1: Searching for Your Ideal Coast Bus Trip
This first stage is where you will define your journey to see all the available bus options.
- From the homepage, you will see the main booking form. Start by selecting your departure point in the "From" field and your destination in the "To" field.
- Next, click on the calendar icon in the "Date" field to choose the day you plan to travel.
- Once your route and date are set, click the "Search" button to find all scheduled buses.
Step 2: Selecting Your Specific Bus Service and Seat
After searching, the platform will display the trips for that day, allowing you to choose your preferred service and seat.
- You will see a list showing departure times, the bus class available (e.g., "First Class"), and the ticket price.
- Find the departure time that works best for you and click the "View Seats" button.
- An interactive seat map of the bus will then appear. The map clearly shows available seats, usually in a distinct color. Click on the seat you wish to reserve.
Sep 3: Entering Accurate Passenger Details for the Booking
To ensure your e-ticket is valid, you must enter the correct information for the person who will be traveling.
- A form will prompt you to enter the passenger's Full Name and their National ID Number.
- You will also need to provide a valid Phone Number and an active Email Address.
- After carefully filling this in, you are ready to proceed to the final confirmation and payment step.
Payment Methods for Your Coast Bus Online Booking
Coast Bus has integrated a secure and widely-used mobile payment solution into their website. To complete your booking, you should be prepared to use M-Pesa.
How to Pay for Your Coast Bus Ticket with M-Pesa
The platform utilizes the M-Pesa Express (STK Push) system, which sends a payment request directly to your phone.
- Once you reach the payment stage, you will be prompted to enter the Safaricom phone number you intend to pay with.
- After you submit your number, a pop-up notification will appear on your phone's screen requesting you to confirm a payment to Coast Bus.
- To authorize this, simply enter your M-Pesa PIN on your phone. The website will automatically detect the successful transaction and confirm your booking.
Ensuring a Secure Online Payment Transaction
This method is highly secure because your confidential M-Pesa PIN is never typed into the website.
You only ever enter it on your own phone in response to the official prompt from M-Pesa. Always double-check that you are on the coastbus.co.ke website before initiating a payment.
Receiving Your Official Coast Bus E-Ticket after Booking Online
Immediately after your payment is successfully processed, the Coast Bus system issues your digital ticket.
Knowing how this ticket is delivered is crucial for a smooth travel day.
How Coast Bus Delivers Your E-Ticket After Booking
Your ticket is delivered electronically to ensure you receive it instantly.
- Your official ticket will be sent as an SMS to the phone number you provided during the booking process. This text message is your proof of purchase.
- It is also common to receive a confirmation email, which serves as an excellent backup. It’s always a good idea to check your email, including the spam folder, just in case.
- The website will also display a confirmation page with your trip details right after you pay, which you can screenshot for your records.
Key Information on Your Coast Bus Online Ticket
The confirmation message you receive will contain all the vital information for your trip. You should quickly check to ensure these details are correct:
- Your unique Ticket Number
- The Passenger's Full Name and ID Number
- Your complete travel route (e.g., Nairobi to Malindi)
- The scheduled Departure Date and Time
- Your assigned Seat Number
Managing Your Coast Bus Ticket After Booking Online
If your travel plans change, you might need to check your ticket details again or inquire about modifications.
Any post-booking actions are subject to the official policies of Coast Bus.
How to View Your Coast Bus Booking Details Online
The primary records of your booking are the confirmation SMS and email you receive after payment. The current Coast Bus website does not have a prominent "Manage My Booking" or "Reprint Ticket" portal on its main menu. For this reason, it is extremely important that you save the initial confirmation message.
Requesting Modifications or Cancellations for a Booking
The Coast Bus platform does not offer a self-service tool for changing your travel date or canceling a ticket. For any such request, you must contact their customer service team directly.
You can do this by calling their official phone number or by visiting one of their booking offices. Be aware that these actions are subject to their internal policies and will likely involve fees.
Troubleshooting Coast Bus Online Booking Problems
Even with a straightforward system, you might encounter a specific issue. Here’s how you can handle some common challenges you might face when booking your Coast Bus ticket.
- Problem: The M-Pesa prompt didn't appear on your phone.
- Solution: This is typically a temporary mobile network issue. First, do not try to pay again immediately. Check your M-Pesa transaction history to confirm that no payment was deducted. If your balance is unchanged, it is safe to carefully go back and re-initiate the payment process.
- Problem: The website is showing no available buses on the date you want to travel.
- Solution: As Coast Bus is a popular service, this often means the buses for that day are genuinely sold out, especially during peak travel times like school holidays. Your best option is to try searching for an alternative date.
- Problem: You need to send a package to the coast, not travel yourself.
- Solution: Coast Bus runs a well-established parcel delivery service. However, this cannot be booked through the passenger travel website. To send a package, you will need to visit a Coast Bus office in person.
When to Contact Coast Bus Customer Support
If you have an issue that cannot be resolved through the website—like a payment dispute, an urgent inquiry about rescheduling, or a question about luggage allowance—you will need to speak directly with the Coast Bus support team.
You can find their official phone number on the "Contact Us" page of their website. To help them resolve your issue quickly, be sure to have your ticket number and travel details ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Booking with Coast Bus
Here are answers to some questions that travelers frequently have when planning to travel with Coast Bus.
What is "First Class" on Coast Bus?
"First Class" is Coast Bus's premium seating option. These seats typically offer more space, better recline, and enhanced comfort compared to the standard class. For the long 8+ hour journey between Nairobi and Mombasa, many travelers find the extra cost is worthwhile for the added comfort.
How early do you need to be at the boarding point?
It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the specified boarding point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This gives you enough time to check in your luggage and find your bus without rushing.
Can you book a return trip with Coast Bus online?
The current online booking form is designed for one-way trips. To book a return journey, you will need to complete two separate transactions: one for your trip to your destination, and a second booking for your trip back.
Does the name on the ticket have to be an exact match to your ID?
Yes, this is very important. For security and verification purposes, the name on your Coast Bus ticket must exactly match the name on your National ID or other official identification. The staff will check this before you are allowed to board.