Getting Around Ethiopia
- Country Ethiopia
- Guide Flight Planning
- Reviewed 28 October 2026
- Sources 2
- Length 1 min read
Credit Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Last reviewed 28 October 2026
On most destinations a transport guide is about schedules and fares. On Ethiopia in 2026 it is first about which routes exist at all, because several of the ones a guidebook would send you down are not available.
Routes that are not available
Those four lines remove the classic northern historic circuit. This publication is not going to pretend otherwise, and any itinerary offered to you that still runs Addis to Bahir Dar to Gondar to Lalibela to Aksum should be questioned closely.
- Flights to Aksum and Shire in Tigray, the way most visitors reached Aksum, had not been confirmed as restored on 28 October 2026. Addis Ababa to Mekelle flights resumed on 11 October 2026 after a suspension that began on 23 September.
- Foreign nationals are currently unable to travel to airports in Afar regional state because of restrictions imposed by the Ethiopian authorities.
- Amhara regional state contains the road and air routes to Lalibela and Gondar. Check current access there before planning.
- Roadblocks have increased across Amhara, and movement is heavily restricted.
Roads, and the A1
There have been irregular armed clashes between ethnic groups in the Afar region and the Somali Regional State, in particular along the main Addis Ababa to Djibouti road, the A1, and the surrounding areas. Attacks have been sporadic and infrequent but may involve roadblocks and vehicles being targeted.
There have also been attacks on vehicles on the A1 between Adama and Awash in West and North Shewa zone, though these have not targeted international travelers. Anyone considering the Awash valley should note that carefully, because that is the road.
In and around Addis Ababa
- Bag and jewelry snatching from vehicles at traffic lights is a recorded risk, as are thefts from parked cars.
- There is a risk of petty theft around Bole International Airport, particularly pickpocketing.
- Consider road transport rather than walking in several parts of the city, especially after dark.
- Expect road checkpoints. Officials may carry out direct police operations. Avoid confrontation and follow instructions.
Assume the network can go down
Temporary closures of roads, internet and mobile networks are among the disruptions to expect. Plan on the assumption that a ride hailing application, an online map and a messaging service may all be unavailable at the same moment.
Carry your accommodation address written down, agree a meeting point rather than relying on a call, and keep cash on you, because a card is no more use than a phone when the network is off.