Major Airports in Ethiopia
The main airports in Ethiopia are Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and Aba Tenna D Yilma International Airport in Dire Dawa.
Bole International Airport is about 8kms / 5 miles from Addis Ababa. There is a coach service that shuttles regularly to and from Addis Ababa.

Banking in Ethiopia
Banking hours are as follows
Open every day except Sundays from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm. Mon-Thurs 0800-1500; Fri 0800-1100 and 1330-1500; Sat 0830-1100. Automatic Teller Machines are scarce in Ethiopia

Climate in Ethiopia
Generally, Ethiopia has 3 main seasons, and the temperatures depend on the altitude. The highlands are cooler, while the lowlands are hot and humid. The dry season runs from October to May and is the most suitable time to visit Ethiopia. The rains begin from June all the way till September.

Clothing for Ethiopia Travel
Travelers to Ethiopia are advised to bring along clothing depending on the time of the visit and part of the country. Carry light clothing if you are visiting the lowlands due to the heat and humidity. Carry medium or lightweight for the visit to the hill country and warm clothing for the highlands as well as for the night time when temperatures drop in most places.

Use of Credit Cards in Ethiopia
Generally, credit cards are sparsely use. Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted on a very limited basis.

Currency of Ethiopia
The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and authorized hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travelers cheques or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.

Visa Requirements and Passport Requirements for Ethiopia Travel
For Travelers to Ethiopia, a yellow fever vaccination is advisable but not compulsory.
Consult the embassy for up-to-date advice on whether applications will be accepted without the certificate.

Passports
Passport valid for six months required by all referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals except the following conditions:
(a) transit passengers continuing to a third country within 12 hours, provided not leaving the airport and holding valid travel documents for onward destination.

Some tourist visas can be issued on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to:
(a) Foreign nationals coming from countries where there is no Ethiopian mission.
(b) Foreign nationals coming from and who are permanent residents in any of the following internationally recognized tourist generating countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States of America.

If applying for a tourist visa on arrival, travelers will be required to posses 2 passport-sized photographs and US$100. The application process can take up to two hours.

Additional Note:
Travelers from countries other than the internationally recognized tourist generating countries listed above who wish to get a visa on arrival at the airport are required to get approval from the Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main Department in Ethiopia. Requests for such approval should be sent to: Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs, PO Box 3741, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (tel: (1) 553 209 or 564 981; e-mail: mdina@ethionet.et).

Customs and Excise Duty Regulations in Ethiopia
The following goods may be imported into Ethiopia without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227grams of tobacco; 1 litre of alcoholic beverages; two bottles or 500ml of perfume; gifts up to the value of Br500.

Duty Free: Travelers to Ethiopia over the age of 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227g of tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages; 2 bottles or 500ml of perfume; and gifts to the value of Br10.

Drinking Water in Ethiopia
Avoid drinking tap water. Bottled water is better instead. It is safer, affordable and available.
Most hotels provide flasks with filtered and purified water.

Driving and Road Travel in Ethiopia
Ethiopia drives on the RIGHT. The minimum age for driving is 18 years. A valid driving license is mandatory, either international or local. License from country of origin must be endorsed locally. Speed limit is observed at 40kph / 25mph in the cities and 60kph / 37 mph outside the cities.

Electricity in Ethiopia
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used.

Emergency Numbers in Ethiopia
For the Police, call 91, for Ambulance, call 92

Foreign Exchange
Ethiopian Birr (ETB; symbol Br) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Br100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Health Issues for Travelers to Ethiopia
Health facilities are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and inadequate outside the city. Travelers should bring their own prescription drugs accompanied by a doctor’s note. The high altitude and low oxygen level of much of Ethiopia need time to be acclimatized to. Anyone who suffers from heart ailments or high blood pressure should consult a doctor before traveling. Health insurance is strongly advised.

Travelers to Ethiopia are strongly advised to have the following vaccines; yellow fever, typhoid, polio, Hepatitis A and choleral. HIV and AIDs is widespread, Malaria is prevalent is areas below 6562 feet / 2,000 m in altitude.

Travelers may also be affected by the high altitude of the Ethiopian highlands. Addis Ababa is at 9186 feet / 2800 metres and some travelers may require a few days to adjust. Medical facilities are poor in most parts of Ethiopia and where available, it may be unreliable. Travelers should carry their regular medications and also take a medical insurance cover.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a Cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Ethiopia. Cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.

Typhoid is widespread. Poliomyelitis is endemic. Vaccination is advised.

Languages in Ethiopia
Amharic is the official language in Ethiopia. However, there are other 80 plus native languages spoken in Ethiopia including Tigrinya, Oromo and Somali. English and Arabic are widely used and there is some French and Italian too.

Photography in Ethiopia
In the smaller towns the locals may expect a small payment in return for being photographed. Video photography in famous tourist attractions occasionally carries a small charge. Photography may be prohibited in airports and near military camps.

Public Holidays
7 Jan* Ethiopian Christmas.
19 Jan* Timket (Epiphany).
2 Mar Victory of Adowa.
Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
6 Apr* Ethiopian Good Friday.
8 Apr* Ethiopian Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
5 May Patriots Victory Day.
28 May Downfall of the Dergue.
Ethiopian New Year (Entutatash).
27 Sep* Finding of the True Cross (Meskel).
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
Eid-al Adha (Arafat).

Note
(a) *Indicates Coptic holidays. (b) Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar, which is divided into 12 months of 30 days each, and a 13th month of five or six days at the end of the year; hence the date for Christmas. The Ethiopian year commences on 11 September and is eight years behind the Gregorian calendar from January to September and seven years behind between 11 September and 8 January. (c) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Public Transportation in Ethiopia
Around Ethiopia by Air
Ethiopian Airlines operates domestic flights to over 40 internal destinations, including a Historic Route Service that takes tourists to some of the famous historic sites in Ethiopia.

Moving Around Ethiopia By Rail
The only operational railway line is the one between Addis Ababa and Djibouti.

Moving Around Ethiopia by Road
Most business and tourist attractions are connected by all-weather roads. For off-road driving, a 4 wheel drive vehicle is advisable. Fuel shortages are not uncommon outside the capital city.

The government and well as private operators run the public bus services to various routes. These services are mostly used by locals. In some cases, the public buses must assemble and travel in a convoy for security reasons. Private taxis are available in Addis Ababa and other major cities.

Safety and Security in Ethiopia
Travel to the Gambella region near the southern Sudanese border, as well as to within 12 miles (20km) of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions (military zones), should be avoided due to violent unrest and an unstable security situation. The border between Eritrea and Ethiopia is closed. Traveling to Somalia by road should also be avoided, as well as all travel east of Harar. There have been several recent explosions in Jijiga. Overland travel to Sudan or Kenya is dangerous due to armed bandits, and should only be attempted in a convoy. There is a high threat from local terrorism in the country, and although not directed at foreigners, visitors need to be cautious in public places. Flooding often affects Ethiopia between June and September each year, killing hundreds of people in flash floods in low-lying areas.

Shopping in Ethiopia
Shopping hours - Mon-Fri 0800-1300, 1400-2000; Sat 0900-1300, 1500-1900 (with local variations).

Telecommunications
The international dialing code for Ethiopia is 251. The area code for Addis Ababa is 1.
Telephones are available in most towns. Internet Cafes are available in Addis Ababa. Some high category hotels have internet services. A GSM network coverage is limted to Addis Ababa and few other towns.

Timezone of Ethiopia
GMT + 3.

Guideline for Tipping in Ethiopia
In most hotels and restaurants, a 10% service charge is added to the bill. Tipping is usual, but amounts are small.