Cheap flights to Addis Ababa from £181

City overview

An ancient city, Addis Ababa is one of the highlights of any visit to Ethiopia. Once you’re flight to Addis Ababa has landed, you will be able to experience the city’s famous historic edifices and its bustling markets and bazaars. This city has something to entertain all kinds of travellers. Visit the Ethnological Museum to find out about the culture and the rich past of this city. The Museum is housed within Haile Selassie’s one time palace, and includes some very elegant gardens. The St George’s Museum, dedicated to the country’s patron saint, is another fantastic place to spend an afternoon, as is the National Museum. If you want to experience the vibrancy and the hustle and bustle of a traditional Ethiopian market, then the Merkato is one of the best places to go as it is always very busy. Art lovers should make a point of visiting the Asni Gallery. This spacious building is dedicated to exhibiting contemporary Ethiopian art. It houses around 6 or 7 different exhibitions every year, so there is always something new to see, even if you have visited before.

Getting around Addis Ababa

The main mode of transport in the city is the ‘blue donkey’, i.e. a blue and white-coloured Toyota HiAce which acts much like a communal taxi. There are hundreds of these dotted throughout the city: just hail one, pay a small fare, and sit amid other commuters in the van as you get to your destination. When it comes to exploring the markets and similar sites though, the best way to go is on foot. That way you can weave through the jammed traffic and other pedestrians with ease.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Flights to Addis Ababa land at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) which is located a mere 4 miles from the city centre. There are shuttle buses from the airport to the centre of town, but you can also take advantage of the local taxis which you can catch outside the airport. Just make sure to haggle with the driver over the price, and to agree beforehand on how much you are going to pay for your trip to make sure that you get a fair deal. This will also be good practice if you plan to visit a market in the city, as bargaining and haggling is the order of the day here!

Addis Ababa airport overview

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is Ethiopia’s sleek and modern face to the world, welcoming more than four million passengers per year, a number that makes it the third-busiest airport in Africa.

Bole Airport is conveniently situated 8km (5 miles) from Addis Ababa, a short drive in any of the multitude of taxis waiting outside the arrivals hall, or via the free hotel buses.

The domestic Terminal 1 was renovated and developed in 2003 and has five airline gates. The new international Terminal 2 is a hugely impressive structure, formed from soaring steel arches and glass sheeting, and opened in 2003, with seven airline gates. The terminal has three levels, its own parking facility, and many amenities for passengers arriving on flights to Addis Ababa Bole Airport from all over the world.

What the renovation hasn’t changed is the famous friendliness of the staff; or regrettably, the sluggish pace of the immigration officials. Nevertheless, Bole is a convenient and comfortable portal to and from the outside world, earning high praise from passengers.