Where to stay
Addis Ababa has everything from simple guesthouses to international five-star hotels. Outside Addis, choose between town hotels and a smaller number of lodges near parks and lakes. For a first visit, Bole is the easiest base: close to the airport, restaurants and ride-hailing.
Hotels on the map
Tap a pin for a hotel's photo, prices on Booking.com, its website and directions.
Apps to book
Compare prices and reviews, and pay by card before you arrive.
The widest choice of hotels in Addis and beyond, with reviews and free cancellation on many rooms.
Some flats and guesthouses, but listings are limited. Read reviews carefully and check the location on a map before you book.
Hotels in Addis, often bundled with flights.
Good for mid-range and budget hotels, with member deals.
Hotels and flights, with prices in many currencies.
Staying longer? Call the hotel once you land. Booking for your first night in an app is the safe choice, but calling a hotel from your local number and paying in birr (cash, telebirr or M-PESA) is usually a little cheaper than the app price. Ask for the “local price” and whether breakfast is included.
Good to know
- International booking sites list many Addis hotels. For regional lodges, booking direct or through a tour operator is often more reliable.
- Confirm by email or WhatsApp a few days before arrival, and get the airport pickup confirmed in writing.
- Foreigners are often quoted in USD. Ask whether you can pay in birr, and whether the price includes the 10% service charge and 15% VAT.
Questions people ask
What is the best area to stay in Addis Ababa for a first visit?
Bole is the easiest base: close to the airport, restaurants and ride-hailing. Bole Medhanialem and Kazanchis also suit a short first stay, ideally in a mid-range hotel with airport pickup.
How much does a hotel cost in Addis Ababa?
Roughly USD 20 to 45 a night for a budget guesthouse, USD 50 to 130 for a mid-range hotel, and USD 150 to 400+ for upmarket and international hotels, per room. Prices rise sharply around Timkat (January), Meskel (September), Ethiopian Christmas (7 January) and major conferences.
How much do hotels cost outside Addis Ababa?
In regional towns, roughly USD 10 to 30 a night for a budget guesthouse and USD 35 to 90 for a mid-range hotel, per room. Lodges cost about USD 80 to 250.
Do hotel prices in Ethiopia include service charge and VAT?
Not always, so ask whether the price includes the 10% service charge and 15% VAT. Foreigners are often quoted in USD, so also ask whether you can pay in birr.
What should I check before booking a hotel in Ethiopia?
A backup generator and reliable hot water, as power cuts happen, and Wi-Fi in rooms, not only the lobby. Also check airport pickup and its price, street noise, lift access and a safe in the room.
Where can budget travellers stay in Addis Ababa?
In a guesthouse or simple hotel in Piassa, Arat Kilo or Bole side streets. A budget guesthouse in Addis costs roughly USD 20 to 45 per room per night.