Arriving at Bole Airport: Your First Two Hours in Addis Ababa

Bole International Airport is the gateway to Ethiopia and the main hub of Ethiopian Airlines, so most visitors, whether they are staying in Addis Ababa or flying on to Lalibela, Bahir Dar or the south, pass through it. Arrival is easier when you handle the first steps in a clear order. This guide follows what you do from the aircraft door to the street, and ends with notes on connections and departure day.

Before you leave the aircraft

• Keep your passport, e-visa approval or visa, hotel address and onward-travel details in your hand luggage, not in your checked bag.
• Save your hotel’s address and phone number offline, in case mobile data is not working at first.
• Check the entry requirements for your nationality before you fly. The visa guide explains the e-visa, and the pre-trip checklist covers documents.

Arrival steps in order

1. Immigration. Follow the signs to the passport desks. Answer questions briefly and accurately, and ask an official if your entry documents need clarification. Many visitors apply for the e-visa online before they fly and show the approval on arrival, so have a printed copy.
2. Baggage reclaim. Check the screens for your flight and keep your baggage tag until you leave the hall. If a bag is missing, report it at the airline desk before you go through customs.
3. Customs. Use the correct channel and ask an officer if you are unsure whether an item must be declared. Rules can change, so rely on current official guidance. Visitors who carry foreign currency or valuable equipment should read avoiding unlicensed currency exchange for the cash rules.
4. Connectivity. Compare the available SIM options and use an authorised retailer. Do not assume the first package offered is the best value. See buying a SIM card.
5. Money. Withdraw or change only what you need for the first leg of your trip and keep a second payment method available. See exchanging money and using cards and ATMs.
6. Transport. Use a hotel pickup, a driver you have arranged, or an official taxi. Confirm the destination and the price before you leave the airport.

Getting to your hotel

The terminal is a short drive from the centre of Addis Ababa, though traffic can turn a short ride into a long one at rush hour. You have three common choices.

• Hotel pickup. Many hotels offer a pickup. Send them your flight number in advance and agree the meeting point. Look for a driver holding a sign with your name.
• Taxi. Agree on the price before you get in, because many taxis do not use meters. Tell the driver the hotel’s name and neighbourhood, and show the address.
• Ride apps. Ride-hailing apps operate in Addis Ababa, and they show the price and the car number before you start. You need a working SIM or Wi-Fi to use them.

For late-night arrivals, arrange the pickup in advance and avoid accepting rides from strangers who approach you outside the terminal.

If something goes wrong

• Delayed baggage: stay in the baggage area and report it to the airline desk before you leave. Keep the reference number and give the airline your hotel address.
• No connection: use airport Wi-Fi if it is available, ask an authorised telecom retailer, or contact your hotel from an airport desk.
• ATM unavailable: try another bank’s ATM, or use a card at your hotel. Keep a small emergency reserve in a separate place.
• Nobody at the meeting point: call your hotel, wait in a busy, well-lit area of the terminal and do not follow people who offer you unrequested help.

Connecting flights and layovers

If you are only changing planes, stay in the transit area and follow the signs to your gate. Passengers with a long layover should ask the airline about its layover arrangements and check whether they need a visa to leave the airport. Allow plenty of time between flights, because queues for security and boarding can be slow in busy periods. If you booked your flights separately, collect your bags and check in again.

Departure day

Arrive at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic one, because check-in, security and passport control all take time. Keep your passport and boarding pass handy, and have the receipts from any currency exchange in case you need to change leftover birr back. Spend your small notes before you go, since coins and small birr notes are hard to change abroad.

Stay calm and check current advice

Most first arrivals are routine. Give yourself time, keep important documents together and ask airport staff when you are uncertain. Conditions, entry rules and travel advice can change, so check the current travel advice and the entry requirements before departure. Next, read the arrival checklist and the after-arrival guide.

Only changing planes in Addis Ababa? See our layover guide for Bole Airport and whether you need a visa to leave the airport on a layover.

Last checked: 25 October 2026.