Addis Ababa Travel Guide

Getting Around Addis Ababa

There is a large and efficient network of blue and white minibuses that cover the city which are easy to hail from the side of the road. The cost ranges from 0.70 Br for short trips, to 1.55 Br or more for a longer trip. It is worth having an Ethiopian guide with you if it is your first time using these taxis. Small blue coloured taxis are more expensive. They range from 10 Br for a very short journey, to about 35 Br for a cross-town trek. Negotiation is the norm and you often have to press quite hard to get a bargain as a foreigner. They can be contracted for a full day, just negotiate. Walking is still the preferred and more sensible method of transport around this city though beggars can be bothersome. The road names are few and often don''t match the ones written on maps, so it is best to navigate by using landmarks. Car hire can be organised through international agencies in Addis Ababa and a full valid international licence is required and the licence from country of origin must be endorsed locally. Drivers must be a minimum of 18 years old. Churchill Avenue is the main thoroughfare and shopping street in Addis Ababa. Vehicle travel outside the city after dark can be risky. Autobus Terra, near Mercato, is where most of the national buses arrive and depart and is the main bus terminal. The only working railway line runs between Addis Ababa and Djibouti, via Dire Dawa and Harar. Travellers should be prepared for occasional delays.