Transportation

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), a major African hub, sits close to the city centre. Common ways in are hotel shuttles, metered taxis, and ride-hailing apps such as Ride and Feres. Agree a fare or use an app so the price is clear, and allow for traffic at busy times.

Addis Ababa has the Addis Ababa Light Rail, the first urban tram in sub-Saharan Africa, plus shared minibuses (blue-and-white) and city buses. Ride-hailing and taxis fill the gaps. Minibuses are cheap but routes can be hard for visitors to follow, so apps or a local guide help.

Ethiopia does not have a nationwide transit smart card like some countries. The Addis Ababa Light Rail uses its own tickets bought at stations, while minibuses and buses are typically paid in cash to a conductor. Carry small Ethiopian birr notes and coins for fares.

Taxis range from older shared taxis to metered cabs. In Addis Ababa, ride-hailing apps such as Ride and Feres are convenient and make the fare clearer than negotiating. If taking a street taxi, agree the price before you get in. Keep small birr notes for change.

Ethiopia drives on the right. Many visitors hire a car with a driver rather than self-drive, as roads, mountain routes and local driving conditions can be challenging. If self-driving, you typically need an International Driving Permit and should drive cautiously, especially at night and on rural roads.

Long-distance buses connect cities and towns, with operators such as Selam Bus and Sky Bus running scheduled coaches between major destinations. Journeys can be long over mountainous terrain, so book ahead and start early. For longer distances, domestic flights are often the faster choice.

Ethiopian Airlines operates domestic flights from Addis Ababa to destinations such as Lalibela, Axum, Gondar and Bahir Dar, and flying between sites is a common way to tour the country. Note that Ethiopia uses its own calendar and a distinctive way of telling time, so double-check dates and times when booking.

Carry small Ethiopian birr notes for fares and tips, and keep telebirr handy for local payments. Ride-hailing apps make city travel easier and clearer on price. Be aware of Ethiopia's own calendar and time system when scheduling, allow buffer time for traffic, and drive or ride cautiously on rural and mountain roads.