Getting Around Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa offers visitors several options for moving around the city, from modern light rail to affordable minibuses and ride-hailing apps. The transport network combines formal services with informal shared taxis that have been central to the city's mobility for decades. Navigation can be challenging since few streets have names, so using landmarks is essential.
Light Rail and Modern Transit
Addis Ababa has a light rail system consisting of two lines that intersect near Meskel Square. The West-East green line runs from Tor Hailoch station to Ayat, while the North-South blue line connects Kality station to Menelik II Square (also called Piazza). Fares start at 10 birr.
Be aware that during peak hours the light rail becomes extremely crowded. Pickpocketing and molestation are reported concerns. A practical challenge is that passengers may not step aside to let others exit, so you may need to physically move people out of your way to leave the train, or you could ride several stops past your destination. Some stations like Urael have island platforms where doors open on the left side.
Buses and Minibuses
Public buses and minibuses are the most common ways locals move around the city. Blue and white minibuses are the dominant mode of transport and operate quite efficiently, traveling throughout the city at very low fares—usually just a few birr depending on distance. To catch one, stand by the roadside and hail it. The conductor will call out destinations, and you pay the conductor when signaled. To exit, say "woraj alle" or simply "woraj". If this is your first time using minibuses, traveling with an Ethiopian guide can help navigate which minibuses serve which routes and where to catch them.
Orange or yellow public buses also connect the whole city for fares of 0.5–3 birr. These buses have no published schedules or maps, but you can ask other passengers or the cashier (stationed in a cabin at the back door) for directions to your destination. Line 31, for example, provides convenient service from Meskel Square to the National Museum or Trinity Church. These buses are often very crowded, so watch your belongings carefully.
Ride-Hailing Services
Uber does not operate in Addis Ababa, but several local ride-hailing apps serve the city. RIDE is by far the most popular option, though alternatives including Feres, Taxiye, Little, and Yango also operate. You will need an Ethiopian phone number to use these apps.
When using ride-hailing services, verify that the license plate number matches before entering the vehicle, and ensure the driver starts the trip on the app before you depart. Payment is typically in cash, though you can register a credit card on most apps for payment through the app. Competition among services is intense, so you can compare prices before booking.
Street hailing of regular taxis is not advisable unless you speak Amharic, though you may have better success catching taxis outside major hotels, office buildings, or other landmarks where they congregate. Taxis have red license plates and are typically yellow, sometimes with stripes or other designs. Major taxi companies include Five Star Cab and Zé-Lucy Meter Taxi. Many drivers do not speak English, so having a local help communicate your location greatly improves your chances of a successful ride. Drivers may also struggle to follow app directions or find your final destination, so be prepared to guide them to your destination or exit early. After a pleasant ride, it's common to ask the driver for their mobile number and call them directly for future trips.
Walking
Significant investment has made parts of Addis Ababa quite walkable. Major roads feature wide, paved sidewalks of a quality unusual in the developing world. You can walk from the airport all the way to Meskel Square—a distance of 5½ km on relatively flat terrain with good-quality sidewalks throughout.
On smaller streets elsewhere in the city, pedestrian infrastructure varies considerably, with some areas offering only narrow or unpaved sidewalks, and others having none at all. Wear a good pair of walking shoes.
Many street crossings lack crossing lights or marked pedestrian crossings. Where traffic lights exist but crossing lights do not, crossing alongside traffic is a reasonable approach. While cars do slow for pedestrians, avoid relying on this and watch for oncoming traffic. Major streets are well-lit at night, though this may not be the case elsewhere. Exercise the same caution you would in any major city.
Addis Ababa also features a series of mostly continuous riverside parks with pedestrian walkways and bike paths. These parks run from the Piazza area through landmarks including Friendship Park, Addis Ababa Stadium, Meskel Square, and the National Palace, extending to Bole. The river itself is polluted, but the parks offer pleasant walks with benches and facilities along the route. Construction work may still be encountered in some sections.
Foreign visitors may be approached by beggars asking for money; saying "no money" or ignoring them is usually sufficient.
Getting from the Airport to the City
Bole International Airport is the main gateway to Addis Ababa. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and most flights to neighboring countries like Djibouti, Nairobi, and Khartoum, while the newer Terminal 2 (built in 2003) handles other international flights. Both terminals have ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard, as well as forex services accepting various currencies.
From the airport, you can take a taxi into the city. Ride-hailing apps are a reliable option if you have an Ethiopian phone number and smartphone. You can also hail a regular yellow taxi at the airport, though communicating your destination may be easier if you speak some Amharic or have the address written down in Amharic script.
If you prefer to walk, it is possible to walk from the airport all the way to Meskel Square on paved sidewalks, though this is a 5½ km journey and most visitors will prefer faster transport.