Capital city, Ethiopia
Getting around Addis Ababa
How to get around Addis Ababa
Ride apps, taxis and light rail cover most trips; minibuses are cheap but confusing. Traffic is heavy at rush hour, and walking is tiring at altitude.
Ways to get around Addis Ababa
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ride / Feres apps | 250–600 ETB for 5 km | Local apps; require local number for calls |
| Light rail | 2–10 ETB | East–west and north–south lines; cheap but crowded |
| Minibus (blue-and-white) | 5–25 ETB | Cheap; cash only and hard to navigate |
| City bus (Anbessa) | 5–15 ETB | Crowded; mostly local use |
Ride-hailing apps in Addis Ababa
A 5 km ride costs about Br250–600 ($1.5–3.7).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ride | Local app; widest coverage |
| Feres | Local app; often cheaper |
- Blue Lada taxis and minibuses are common; negotiate the price before getting in. Apps may need a local SIM.
Arriving in Addis Ababa
Bole International (ADD)
Ride or Feres 400–900 ETB, taxi 800–1,500 ETB to Bole or Kazanchis, 15–30 min. Ethiopian Airlines hub; new Bishoftu airport is under construction.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rare. Motorbike taxis are restricted; use apps or minibuses.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are accepted with an IDP for short stays; most visitors hire a driver because of road conditions and checkpoints.
- Onward travel in Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines links Addis with Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Axum and Dire Dawa. Roads are slow and some routes are unsafe; Addis has a light rail and an Addis–Djibouti railway.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Addis Ababa?
No. Use Ride, Feres instead.
What's the best way to get around Addis Ababa?
Ride apps, taxis and light rail cover most trips; minibuses are cheap but confusing. Traffic is heavy at rush hour, and walking is tiring at altitude.
How do I get from the airport to Addis Ababa?
Ride or Feres 400–900 ETB, taxi 800–1,500 ETB to Bole or Kazanchis, 15–30 min. Ethiopian Airlines hub; new Bishoftu airport is under construction.
Is Addis Ababa walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Addis Ababa
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.