Getting There
Fly
The national airline is Ethiopian Airlines. It operates direct flights from London and Washington, DC, to the Bole International Airport 8 kilometres southeast of the capital Addis Ababa. The Airport also receives flights from Lufthansa, Sudan Airways, British Airways, KLM, Turkish Airways and Emirates. The Aba Tenna D Yilma International Airport in Dire Dawa also receives limited international flights.
Train
A railroad links the small semi-presidential republic of Djibouti on the Red Sea with Addis Ababa. It is jointly managed by the two governments.
Car
The road linking Nairobi in Kenya to Addis Ababa is part of the Trans-East African Highway. Take the road from Moyale on the border to Yabelo, Dila and Yirga to Addis Ababa.
You can also enter Ethiopia by car at Dewale from Djibouti and Humera from Sudan.
Getting Around
Fly
Ethiopian Airlines has scheduled flights to Axum, Bahr Dar, Gondar and Lalibela. You can also fly in between these destinations without having to fly back to Addis Ababa for a connection.
Other domestic flights Arba Minch, Gambela, Dire Dawa, Jijiga, Mekele, and Debre Markos are only from Addis Ababa.
Bus
Roads in Ethiopia are in a state of disrepair. Any bus ride will be bumpy, long and uncomfortable, but there are many bus companies in Ethiopia and between them they cover all the major towns.
Minibus/Taxi/Garis
Minibuses and taxis basically cover your transport within the bigger cities and towns, or for short distances between towns. Taxis are not metered and you’ll have to bargain for a fair fare. Ask your hotel manager what a reasonable fare should be before you set off. Garis are horse-drawn carriages which is an interesting way to get around towns and cities.
Train
There is one railway line in Ethiopia connecting Addis Ababa with Dire Dawa (and then on to Djibouti City). At times it does not function, but if it does run it departs every 2-3 days and the journey can take up to 16 hours depending on conditions of the track. The route is beautiful through desert landscapes.
Car
Touring Ethiopia by car can eliminates lengthy bus journeys, but you cannot hire a car without a driver in Ethiopia. On top of that it will have to be a four-wheel drive.