Going to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia? Have a question? Ask me!

If you are going to travel to Addis Ababa and need some help, feel free to ask in the comments below. I'll be glad to help you with info or tips.

Light Rail System in Addis Ababa

This is a somehow too good looking visualization of the light rail transportation (currently in construction) in Addis Ababa. Read also current state of public transportation in Addis Ababa.

Please, note there is hardly so much green in Addis Ababa and definitely the ring route (highway) does not provide convenience for the pedestrians. At the time of the writing (June 2014), there were no pedestrian crossings on the ring route and due to the construction dividing roads and neighborhoods into the two halves, pedestrians had to cross the highway at their own risk (which they do in high violume, due to the missing infrastructure to cross safely).

Ethiopian Live Music in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia gave the birth to Ethio-jazz (Ethiopian Jazz or African Jazz) popularized by Mulatu Astatke and his band.

You  will possibly have difficult time looking for one of the true Ethio-jazz live performances (as the authors of this blog post evidenced) as the most live performances are a mix of contemporary Amharic music, smooth jazz, pop or even reggae with little of Ethio-jazz to be heard.

We recommend Ghion Hotel night club (near Meskel square), where live performances are part of African Jazz Night every day except for Monday (free entry).

You can also try Jazzamba lounge in the Addis-oldest Taitu hotel, but you will likely be dissapointed by the music as well food and cover (80 Birr).

Live bands playing contemporary Amharic music (pop etc.) can be found almost anywhere, just ask the locals. Expect the synth keyboards as a background for mostly average singers.

What to see in Addis Ababa

Piazza

Possibly a place that would be called center in Europe - a large intersection with communist built shopping centre in the middle offering shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. It is also a place of governmental institutions and a hub, where you can get on your minibus connection.

Ethiopian-Cuban Friendship Monument

Derg regime monument built in pompous style that reminds of the Ethiopian-Somali war in 1977 and serves as memorial to the soldiers killed in the war. Cuba supported Ethiopia in the war and provided army, so many of the soldiers are of Cuban origin. The whole place had had its better times and is now abandoned, but you can see some kids playing football in front of it. Free entry.

Meskel square

A square of pompous demonstrations of unity of Ethiopian people, celebrating their late prime minister. Nowadays cut with train lines construction into few parts with the largest one serving as a hub for minibuses passing through or going out of Addis Ababa to Debre Zeyt and others. Selam Bus and Sky Bus lines also go from here to the other cities of Ethiopia in any direction such as Harar or Hawassa. You can find the tourist information office and Selam Bus and SKy Bus ticket offices on the side where the high buildings line the square.

Mercato

A market district always full of activity, people shuffling goods around, sellers of anything and everything you might look for including legal stimulant drug Chat (Khat or Quat). Watch out for the pickpockets as you would do anyway in the crowded area such as this.

Mount Entoto

Mount Entoto towers over Addis Ababa and encloses it from the north. It offers nice views, but you will likely need to take a taxi up there (a minibus connection exists, though). There are also many locals living in the forests and the oldest churches could be find here.

Shiromeda - Sidist Kilo - Amist Kilo - Arat Kilo

A whole boulevard from Shiromeda (north) down to Arat Kilo (south) is lined by universities, schools, churches, the National Museum (where you can see the Lucy), governmental institutions, the original Haile Selassie Palace, and busy streets. You can take a minibus from either direction or have a long walk. Sidis Kilo (Six Kilo), Amist Kilo (Five Kilo) and Arat Kilo (Four Kilo) denote an approximate distance to the centre and are all large intersections, where minibuses can be caught.

Addis Ababa city center

There is no city center in Addis Ababa as we know it in most of the European or US cities. Addis Ababa is very widespread city consisting of subcities, satellites, neighborhoods and districts. Every subcity will have at least one place that can be called center offering shops, market, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Otherwise, the main city Addis Ababa has few interesting areas that concentrate people and businesses and we describe them in What to see in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Birr and money exchange (ATMs)

Money exchange

Only the banks change money in Ethiopia. Bring your passport and currency you want to exchange for Birr. EUR, USD or GBP are the safe choices, but the banks will exchange few other currencies.

ATMs

There are some ATMs with the Visa card logo that allow card withdrawals from foreign accounts. However, when we tried one of them, the transaction was declined although the ATM featured the Visa logo. Please note that not all the banks have ATMs, but you can find international ATMs by the larger hotels and in the shopping malls. It is forbidden to import or export more than 200 Birr in and out of Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa airport (Bole International Airport)

Bole International Airport is the main airport of Addis Ababa and the Ethiopia airline hub.

Visa on arrival

Before claiming your luggage, you will walk past the Ethiopia visa on arrival line. Most of the EU countries nationals excluding Hungary are able to obtain their visa on arrival to the Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa airport). Have the exact amount of 20$ or 17€ ready for a payment.

Money exchange / ATMs

There are two or three banks available at the airport, at least one of them is opened during late night hours (e.g. flight from Istanbul at 1 am in the morning). You can easily change your USD or EUR, only one official exchange rate exists for eeach currency valid for the whole country. There are no ATMs at the airport.

Getting from the airport to Addis Ababa (and it subcities)

Walk outside of the airport building and continue down to the parking lot. Walk by the private cars to the larger crowd of the taxi drivers. Do not take yellow taxis that are more expensive than the blue taxis. Don't forget to haggle and ask multiple taxi drivers to get the price range. There will be some that will often offer lower price or ask you how much you want to pay. Expect to pay more, if coming late at night. Sample price: 150 Birr Airport-Addis Ababa city center.