Search Flights from Nairobi to Addis Ababa

You can reach the airport from Nairobi city center by taxi or the airport shuttle service that is provided by your hotel. There are the minibuses called 'matatu' and the buses for the passengers who prefer public transportation. Renting a car is another transportation alternative you can prefer. You should keep in mind that the traffic in the city is particularly dense during the day, and you should set out early no matter which means of transportation you prefer.

Bus

You can get on the bus number 34 departing from the city center to reach the airport. Ticket price only costs 50 KES and your journey takes about 40 minutes.

Hotel Shuttle Services

Hotel shuttle services offered by the hotels are one of the most comfortable transportation alternatives if you don’t want to lose time with renting a car because it is necessary to bargain with taxi drivers and means of public transportation are troublesome. If your hotel provides this service, you need to contact your hotel in advance and make a reservation to take advantage of this service.

Taxi

Taking a taxi is generally a frequently preferred transportation option in the city. However, you should remember that you need to bargain for taxi fare. If you are going to take a taxi to reach the airport, you can ask your hotel to help you with this, so you can travel by a trusted and safer taxi. You can reach the airport in about half an hour by taking a taxi.  

Matatu

In addition to the buses, matatu option is also available for those who prefer public transportation. You can reach the airport by these minibuses that are quite cheap, but you should keep in mind that you might have difficulty if you have lots of luggage because matatu minibuses are very crowded and the drivers usually drive fast and carelessly.

Rent a car

You can find the offices of many car rental companies in the city center. You need to drive straight through the A101 Mombasa road to reach the airport. If you are going to rent a car only to reach the airport, you can rent a car with a driver or you can rent a car from a company that has an office at the airport.

You should keep in mind that the traffic flows on the left side and the traffic rules are not very effective. You should also remember that the traffic is extremely heavy at certain times before deciding on the time you will leave.  

Addis Ababa, which is connected to Kenya, Somalia and Sudan by highways, connected to Djibouti, one of the important trade centers of Africa, by railways and has an international airport, is both a transfer point and an important trade center for the country. In the country where animal husbandry and agriculture are widespread and light industry is developed, the most important product of the city is coffee. The city is also an important education center thanks to the universities and colleges it hosts.

In the city, there are many coffee shops where you can drink and buy coffee. In Addis Ababa, urban transportation is provided with buses, minibuses and taxis. Public transportation isn’t very developed. Ticket prices of these means are affordable. However, bus routes don’t operate at regular intervals and there may sometimes be delays.

Blue - white colored minibuses that you can use as an alternative to buses are faster than buses and carry passengers with more affordable fares. The fare is about 1.5 Birr, which is less than 50 cents, depending on your destination. Minibuses that start operating at early hours in the morning generally offer service until 09:00 pm. You can also get on a taxi for your transportation in the city. It is not always easy to find a taxi here. You can find a taxi more easily in central parts of the city and in front of big hotels.

The vehicles used as taxi are generally old model automobiles. Despite of this, it can be said that taxis are the most comfortable means of transportation in Addis Ababa. However, before getting on a taxi you should agree on the fare and definitely bargain with the driver. If you are thinking of renting a car and having a comfortable means of transportation during your visit, you should be careful about the traffic. You should remember that there are no traffic lights on many roads and roundabouts and this situation negatively affects traffic flow. In addition, you can have trouble in buying gas. There can be long queues at gasoline stations. On the other hand, there is no problem about parking in the city and average parking fee is 0.50 Birr. Although there is a railway system in the city, trains are not a part of urban transportation.

Bole International Airport is located 6 km south of the city center on Bole Road. To get to the city center from the airport you can use minibuses as the means of public transportation or you can also choose to take a taxi. Renting a car is another alternative for your travel to the city center although it is generally not recommended due to traffic problems. If you are going to stay at a hotel, airport shuttle services offered by some hotel are one of the most comfortable and reliable transportation options.

Minibus

If you are thinking of getting to the city center by using a means of public transportation, you can get on the minibuses departing from Bole Dild minibus stops located in front of the overpass found right across the terminal exit. Minibuses offer service from 06:00 am to 08:00 pm.

The fares are cheaper than taxis and vary according to your destination. The fares are 5 Birr on average. You should remember that tourists may be charged higher amounts. You can learn the amount you need to pay by talking to other passengers before getting on any minibus. You need to pay an additional amount for your baggage.

Hotel Shuttle

In addition to small hotels, accommodation centers of certain chain hotels like Radisson, Hilton and Sheraton are also located in the city center. Some hotels offer airport shuttle service. If you don’t prefer public transportation and don’t want to bargain with taxi drivers about the fare, you can take advantage of the airport shuttle service which will pick you up in front of the baggage claim area and leave you just in front of your hotel. To benefit from this service, you should contact your hotel in advance and agree on the price, make a reservation and give the necessary information such as the number of passengers and baggage.

Taxi

There are two types of taxis that you can get on to reach the city center from the airport. At airport taxi stand, Mercedes taxis of the National Tour Operator (NTO) operate under a company and offer service with more comfortable vehicles. With their predetermined tariffs, they create a more reliable image in terms of the fares and offer private services. You can ask your hotel to call a NTO taxi for you or get in contact with the taxi desk located in the arriving passenger terminal. Tariffs are offered according to your destination. There is no taximeter in these taxis, so it is advised to agree on the fare before getting on. These taxis are approximately 10 times more expensive than blue-white taxis. You can also reach the city center in a short time with a blue-white taxi which you can get on at the exit of the airport. The average fare is between 80 and 100 Birr.

These taxis are managed by individuals. These taxis, which are larger than a standard automobile, operate just like a small bus. They have a standard route, pick up passengers from certain points and drop them off at certain points. There is no taximeter in blue-white taxis and the fares of the stops are predetermined. In addition, you shouldn’t forget that you may need to bargain on the fare.

Car Rental

You can rent a car from one of the car rental companies located at the airport. Since some roads have no name, there isn’t sufficient number of traffic signs throughout the city and there is no traffic light on many roundabouts, traffic flow isn’t in order. In order to reach the city center with the car you have rented, you should drive northwestward after leaving the airport. The road is about 6 kilometers.