All trip plans
Trip plan

Layover in Addis Ababa

A long connection at Bole? Drop your bag near the airport, see Lucy, eat well and be back with time to spare.

Days
1 day
Places
5
Your hotel
Ethiopian Skylight Hotel
Treat yourself
>USD 240 a day

ArrivalDay 1

Fly into AddisInt'l: T2 · Domestic: T1

Fly into Addis

Bole International Airport (ADD) is about 8 km from the centre and has two terminals, side by side: international flights use Terminal 2, domestic flights within Ethiopia use Terminal 1.

See this place on Explore

Land at Bole

Bole

Buy a SIM in the baggage hall, then book a ride in the app: the fare is shown upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Time there: Dakika 15–30 kufika hoteli nyingi

Local tip: Nunua SIM yako katika ukumbi wa mizigo kabla ya kuondoka.

DirectionsWatch first · Indigo TravellerJinsi ya kusafiri Ethiopia: bei na usalama
Take a ride to your hotel 5 min

Take a ride to your hotel

5 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Your hotel · Upmarket

See this place on Explore

Ethiopian Skylight Hotel

Bole, by the airport

Ethiopian Airlines' own hotel, five minutes from the terminal. Ask whether your transit ticket includes a night here.

Time there: Hoteli

Local tip: Hakiki kama tiketi yako ya kupita (transit) inajumuisha hoteli.

Directions
Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia 25 min

Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia

25 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Morning

See this place on Explore

Meet Lucy at the National Museum

Arat Kilo

The 3.2 million year old skeleton everyone comes for, plus royal thrones and early art. An hour is enough.

Time there: Saa 1–2 Small foreigner fee

Local tip: Hufungwa katika baadhi ya sikukuu.

Directions
Take a ride to Holy Trinity Cathedral 5 min

Take a ride to Holy Trinity Cathedral

5 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Late morning

See this place on Explore

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Arat Kilo

Haile Selassie's tomb and the city's grandest stained glass, a short walk down from the museum.

Time there: Saa 1 Visitor fee

Local tip: Vaa kwa heshima; vua viatu unapoombwa.

Directions
Take a ride to Tomoca Coffee 5 min

Take a ride to Tomoca Coffee

5 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Coffee

See this place on Explore

A macchiato at Tomoca

Piassa

Roasting since 1953. Stand at the bar like the regulars and buy a bag of beans to take home.

Time there: Dakika 30 From 40 Br

Local tip: Nunua maharagwe yaliyofungwa ya kubeba nyumbani.

Directions
Take a ride to Unity Park 5 min

Take a ride to Unity Park

5 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Afternoon

See this place on Explore

Unity Park

Arat Kilo

Menelik's palace grounds: the banquet hall, the old throne room, gardens and a small zoo. Closed on Mondays.

Time there: Saa 2–3 USD 20, or 50 with the palace and a guide

Local tip: Jumanne–Jumapili, tiketi saa 3 asubuhi–saa 10 jioni (9 am–4 pm). Hufungwa Jumatatu.

DirectionsWatch first · Wode MayaMji mkuu wa Ethiopia unageuka kuwa jiji la kiwango cha dunia
Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia 20 min

Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia

20 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Evening

See this place on Explore

Dinner show at Yod Abyssinia

Bole

Music and dances from every region over a big shared platter, ending with a coffee ceremony. Book a table.

Dinner and show
DirectionsWatch first · Mark WiensZiara bora kabisa ya vyakula vya Ethiopia mjini Addis Ababa
Take a ride to Bole Airport 5 min

Take a ride to Bole Airport

5 min

Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.

Back to Bole for your flight

Leave about 3 hours before an international departure: security and check-in take time.

Time there: Dakika 15–30 kufika hoteli nyingi

Local tip: Nunua SIM yako katika ukumbi wa mizigo kabla ya kuondoka.

Watch first · Indigo TravellerJinsi ya kusafiri Ethiopia: bei na usalama
Layover in Addis Ababa: a day-by-day plan · Guide.et