Travel advisory · EthiopiaSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Ethiopia.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 100 km strip along the Somali region borders with Somalia and Kenya · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK, US
- 30 km strip along the Somalia border in Fafan zone · avoid all travel · Canada, UK
- 50 km strip along the Tigray border in Afar · avoid all travel · New Zealand, UK
- Afar · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, UK, US
- Amhara · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Benishangul-Gumuz · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Border with Eritrea · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Border with Kenya · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Border with South Sudan · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Border with Sudan · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- East Wollega · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- Gambella · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, UK, US
- Horo Gudru Wollega · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- Kellem Wollega · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- North Shewa · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, UK
- Somali region · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Tigray · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- West Shewa · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, UK
- West Wollega · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- Central Ethiopia Region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, US
- Guji zone · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- Oromia region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, US
- South Ethiopia Region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, US
- South West Ethiopia Region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, US
- West Guji · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
Also named by one government: 10 km strip along the Somalia border in Sitti zone (Canada), Akobo district, Gambella (New Zealand), Arsi zone (Germany), Fanti zone, Afar (New Zealand), Jikawo district, Gambella (New Zealand), Jore district, Gambella (New Zealand), Kilbati zone, Afar (New Zealand), Lare district, Gambella (New Zealand), Maokomo special zone (UK), Metekel zone (UK), South West Shewa (Germany), Wantawo district, Gambella (New Zealand), A4 road between Addis Ababa and Cheliya (UK), Afder zone (UK), Dire Dawa city (Germany), Dollo zone (UK), East Shewa zone (UK), Harari region (Germany), Jarar zone (UK), Korahe zone (UK), Liben zone (UK), Nogob zone (UK), Shabelle zone (UK), Sidama (Germany), Siti zone (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Aug 27, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Von nicht notwendigen Reisen wird abgeraten (regional advisories) | Oct 21, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (zones en jaune) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia draws travelers for the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the ancient stelae of Axum and high mountain scenery in the Simien Mountains.
Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan. Its capital, Addis Ababa, sits on the foothills of Mount Entoto, a few kilometers west of the East African Rift Valley that splits the country. Travelers come for the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the stone stelae of Axum, the royal fortress at Gondar and the Simien Mountains, where endemic animals such as the gelada and the Ethiopian wolf live. Ethiopia is also often considered the birthplace of coffee.
The dry season runs from October to February. Addis Ababa stays mild all year, but lowland areas can reach 30 to 50 °C. The main rainy season runs from mid-June to mid-September. Give the historic north several days, and add the Rift Valley and Addis Ababa as separate stops. Check current travel advice before you book, since conflict has affected several regions since 2020.
Five things to know before Ethiopia
- Apply for the e-Visa before you travel
UK passport holders should apply on the official e-Visa portal before arrival; the UK page describes a 30-day single-entry tourist visa. Check the portal for the airports e-Visa holders may use. Ethiopia e-Visa portal
- Check which regions are under advisories
The UK advises against all travel to Amhara, which includes Lalibela, Gondar and the Simien Mountains, to Tigray, which includes Axum, and to Gambela and border areas. UK travel advice
- Confirm times in the Ethiopian clock
Ethiopians often count hours from 6am, so '2 o'clock' can mean 8am. The Ethiopian calendar also runs about seven to eight years behind. Confirm bookings in both.
- Avoid overstaying your visa
Overstays cost $30 a day, and you cannot leave until you pay. Extensions are handled in person at the immigration head office in Addis Ababa.
- Time a trip for Timkat or Meskel
Timkat (Epiphany) falls on January 19, or 20 in leap years, and Meskel on September 27. Both are huge public celebrations; book rooms early.
Ethiopia travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The e-Visa, entry airports and overstay penalties.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCheck exclusions for regions under travel advisories.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs, data and internet shutdown risk.
Read the guideMoney and cardsBirr, cash needs and cards in Addis Ababa.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights on Ethiopian Airlines and road travel.
Read the guide
Destinations in Ethiopia
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- ETB 700
- Food
- ETB 300
- Transport
- ETB 50
- Sights
- ETB 100
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- ETB 3,000
- Food
- ETB 1,000
- Transport
- ETB 300
- Sights
- ETB 500
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- ETB 8,000
- Food
- ETB 2,500
- Transport
- ETB 1,000
- Sights
- ETB 1,500
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh22°Low9°Dry, TimkatJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Timkat
- FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Dry, sunnyFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- MarchClear10 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Short rainsMarchClear
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Short rainsAprilRain
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°WarmMayRain
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Rains startJuneRain
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 200 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JulyRain31 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh19°Low11°Main rainsJulyRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 365 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Main rains
- AugustRain31 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Main rainsAugustRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Main rains
- SeptemberRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low11°Meskel, rains endSeptemberRain
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 237 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Meskel, rains end
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Dry, greenOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, green
- NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Dry, clearNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low9°Dry, sunnyDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
Average daily high and low in Addis Ababa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ethiopia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 44%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Ethiopia
02:22 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°11°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed23°11°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu24°11°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 24°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri24°12°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat24°12°6%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun24°12°43%Sunday: Clear. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Mon24°12°47%Monday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 01:19 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 161.6 ETB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- JanTimkatAcross Ethiopia
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Ethiopia FAQ
Do I need a visa for Ethiopia?
UK passport holders should apply on the official e-Visa portal before travel. Check the portal for the visa length and entry airports that apply to your passport.
Can I visit Lalibela right now?
Lalibela is in Amhara, where the UK advises against all travel. Check the current advice before booking, as it changes with the security situation.
What is Ethiopian time?
A 12-hour clock that starts at dawn, around 6am, so 1 o'clock Ethiopian time is 7am. Hotels and airlines usually use international time, but confirm.
When is the best time to visit Ethiopia?
October to February, after the main rains, when the highlands are green and dry. The main rains fall from June to September.
Is Harar worth visiting?
Yes. The walled old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow lanes, markets and the evening hyena feeding outside the walls.