Getting Around Awasa: An Overview
Awasa (also spelled Hawassa) is a compact city on the shores of Lake Hawassa in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley, and it serves as the capital of the Sidama Region. For most visitors, the practical reality of getting around is simple: the town is small, and walking is the best way to cover it. The town center is Piazza Road, which runs from the shore of Lake Awasa eastwards, and this is where you'll find many hotels, restaurants, and a Dashen Bank branch with a Visa and MasterCard ATM. If you base yourself along or near Piazza Road, most of what you need day to day is within easy walking distance.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Awasa has no rail, metro, or tram network, so there is nothing of that kind to plan around. Getting into and around the city is done by road, on foot, or by the local transport described below.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Public transport in Awasa is road-based. Long-distance coaches connect the city with Addis Ababa, and there are also many village buses running between Hawassa and surrounding towns, including to Addis Ababa, all day long. These village buses are usually faster and leave whenever they have enough passengers, but they are also less safe — worth weighing if you're considering one.
For departures to Addis Ababa, many coaches leave from outside the bus station at about 06:00, and you can normally get a seat without buying a ticket in advance. If you'd rather secure your place, there is a Sky Bus ticket office in the Alliance marketing centre near the Sidamo monument, on the main street heading toward the lake.
If you're arriving from Addis Ababa by bus, the last stop in Hawassa for the Selam service is near the intersection just on the town side of the bus station, roughly northeast of the Sidamo monument.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The most common form of paid local transport is the blue motorbike rickshaw, which you'll see everywhere in town. A ride should never cost more than a few birr, making them a cheap and convenient way to cover longer hops across the city when you don't feel like walking.
Walkability
Walking is genuinely the best way to get around Awasa. The city is small, and the central spine — Piazza Road, running from the lake shore eastwards — concentrates hotels, restaurants, and banking. If you're staying in the center, you can reasonably expect to reach most of your day-to-day destinations on foot, and use a rickshaw only for the occasional longer trip.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Awasa is served by Awasa Airport (IATA code AWA, ICAO code HALA), which opened in 1988. Confirm your transfer options with your accommodation or a local operator before you arrive, and expect to rely on road transport for the final leg into town.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself near Piazza Road if you want to walk to hotels, restaurants, and the lake.
- Carry small change for rickshaw rides — fares are only a few birr.
- There is a Dashen Bank ATM accepting Visa and MasterCard on Piazza, useful for topping up cash.
- For onward travel to Addis Ababa, book ahead if you want a guaranteed seat; otherwise coaches leave from outside the bus station early in the morning.
- Village buses are faster and more flexible but less safe than the scheduled coaches.