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.
Addis Ababa
Travelers come for the Lucy fossil at the National Museum, the Merkato market and the coffee ceremony in a city at high altitude.
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Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, and the headquarters of the African Union. The city sits on a highland plateau at about 2,350 meters (7,700 feet), so days are warm and evenings are cool all year. Emperor Menelik II founded it in 1886, and it is now the country's main political and commercial center.
Travelers come for the National Museum of Ethiopia, which displays Lucy, the fossil of an early human ancestor. Merkato, a large open-air market, is the place to see daily trade up close. Coffee is part of everyday life, and many cafes and homes still hold the coffee ceremony, which can last about an hour. Injera and stews such as doro wat are the standard meals. Plan two to three days in the city, or use it as a base before traveling north or south. The best months are October to February, the dry season, with little rain.
Addis Ababa in five
- Get an eVisa before you flyMost visitors need an eVisa, applied for online at evisa.gov.et before departure. Save the approval, because you will need it at the airport.Visas and entry
- Set up a local SIM from Ethio TelecomEthio Telecom is the state operator. Ride apps and maps need data, so set up a plan on arrival.Phones and eSIM
- Book rides through a ride appAgree the fare before you get into a street taxi, or book through a ride app so the price is set before the trip starts.
- Carry birr in small notesSome shops and small restaurants take only cash, and foreign cards are not reliably accepted. Keep small notes for taxis and tips.Money and costs
- Go to Merkato with a local guideMerkato is large and easy to get lost in. Go in daylight with a local guide, and leave valuables at the hotel.
Things to do in Addis Ababa
See all attractions in Addis Ababa
Need to know
- Currency
- Birr (ETB)
- Entry
- eVisa needed by most visitors; check eligibility on evisa.gov.et Read more
- Emergency
- 991 police, 907 ambulance, 939 fire
- Tipping
- Check whether service is on the bill; tipping is not expected in cafés
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh22°Low9°Dry, coolJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Dry, warm daysFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm days
- MarchClear10 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Short rainsMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Rain spellsAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain spells
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Green, rains startMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, rains start
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 200 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain31 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh19°Low11°Heavy rainJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 365 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Heavy rain
- AugustRain31 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Heaviest rainAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heaviest rain
- SeptemberRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low11°Meskel, EnkutatashSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 237 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Meskel, Enkutatash
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Dry, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- 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°Cool, dryDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Addis Ababa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Addis Ababa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 42%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Addis Ababa
12:59 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°8°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed24°9°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 24°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu25°11°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri24°11°6%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 24°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat24°12°10%Saturday: Clear. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun23°12°29%Sunday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 11:06 PM 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
Day trips by train
- Bishoftuabout 1 hour by roadCrater lakes a short drive southeast, good for an easy afternoon.
- Debre Libanosabout 2 hours by roadMonastery in the gorge. Go early and allow time for the winding road.
- Hawassaabout 4 to 5 hours by road, check road conditionsLakeside town on Lake Hawassa, best as an overnight stay.
Before you go to Addis Ababa
Rules for Addis Ababa, checked
- Most visitors need an eVisa, applied for online at evisa.gov.et. Check eligibility and the steps on the official site before you fly.Source
- Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination if you arrive from a country where the disease is present. Check the current requirement with your health provider.
- Cover shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes, when you enter an Orthodox church. Ask before photographing inside.
Plan around Addis Ababa
Routes north, sights and the country beyond the capital
Read the guideGetting around Addis AbabaRide apps, light rail and airport transfers
Read the guideMoney and costsBirr, cards and typical daily spending
Read the guideVisas and entryeVisa steps and the documents to carry
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in Bole, Piazza, Kazanchis and Entoto
Read the guideAddis Ababa FAQ
Is Addis Ababa worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three days. The National Museum of Ethiopia holds the original Lucy fossil, and Piazza and Merkato show the city at street level.
How many days do you need in Addis Ababa?
Two to three days covers the National Museum, Piazza, Entoto and a day trip to the Bishoftu crater lakes. Add a day if you want Merkato with a guide.
Is it safe to walk around Addis Ababa?
Daytime walks in Piazza and Bole are possible. After dark, use a ride app for longer distances.
What is the altitude of Addis Ababa?
The city sits at around 2,350 metres. Walk slowly and drink water on your first day.
Where does the airport sit relative to the hotels?
Bole International Airport is in the Bole district, where many of the hotels are. A short ride reaches most of the other areas.
Can I fly to Lalibela from Addis Ababa?
Yes, domestic flights run from Addis Ababa, which is quicker than the long road journey.