When you are traveling to and from Addis Ababa Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.
Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.
- Brief Overview of Addis Ababa Airport in Ethiopia
- Terminals in Addis Ababa Airport
- Parking Facilities at Addis Ababa Airport
- Airlines Served by Addis Ababa Airport
- Facilities and Services Available at Addis Ababa Airport
- Hotels On-site and Nearby Addis Ababa Airport
- Transport Options To and From Addis Ababa Airport
- Conclusion
Brief Overview of Addis Ababa Airport in Ethiopia
Located in the Bole area, which is about 6 km (3.7 miles) southeast of the city center and 65 km (40 miles) north of Debre Zeyit, lies the Addis Ababa Airport, also popularly called the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. It is based in the city of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa Airport is a major hub in Ethiopia and East Africa as a whole. Being the main hub of Ethiopian Airlines, the national airline serves destinations in Ethiopia and throughout the African continent. In addition, the airline has non-stop service to countries situated in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
IATA: ADD
Address: Bole International Airport, Airport Road, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contact:+251-11 6650601
Website: https://www.ethiopian-airports.com
Operation Hours: Addis Ababa Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain food concessions and car rental services may not offer their services 24 hours. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may also vary with the flight schedule. Hence, it is advised that you check with the airport.
Terminals in Addis Ababa Airport
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has two terminals, namely Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. There are four gates in Terminal 1 that serve domestic flights, and another seven gates in Terminal 2, which mainly handles international arrivals and departures.
The terminals at Addis Ababa Airport are connected via a walkway and free shuttle service.
Parking Facilities at Addis Ababa Airport
Addis Ababa Airport provides travelers with convenient parking options. The airport provides short-term and long-term parking options to travelers at the airport. The car park facility is located right outside the terminal buildings.
Airlines Served by Addis Ababa Airport
Addis Ababa Airport serves many domestic, international, and cargo airlines. Airlines that are served by the airport include Air China, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Egyptair, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Flydubai, Gulf Air, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SAS, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Sudan Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Yemenia Yemen Airways.
Facilities and Services Available at Addis Ababa Airport
Addis Ababa Airport offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport has a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.
Security Check-points
There are security checks at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security checks.
Help Desk
When you are at the Addis Ababa Airport and need help, there is an information desk to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. These information/help desks are located throughout the terminals.
Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Points
Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout both terminals at the airport, in case you need to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet.
In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your phone’s battery. Mobile charging power outlets can be found at various shops and restaurants throughout the airport.
Baggage Handling and Storage
At present, baggage handling and storage facilities may not be available at the airport.
Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.
Lounge and Business Conference Rooms
Addis Ababa Airport provides premium lounges that passengers can use by either paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or via lounge membership programs.
Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles Lounge:
The lounge is located in Terminal 1, Airside. They offer Wi-Fi, newspapers, magazines, and premium food. They are open from 5 am until midnight.
Ethiopian Airlines Star Alliance Gold Lounge:
The lounge is located in Terminal 2, Landside. They provide Wi-Fi, TV, newspapers, magazines, and premium food and snacks. They are open from the first to the last flight departure of the day.
Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Lounge I and II:
The lounges are located in Terminal 2, Airside. They offer Wi-Fi, TV, printers, newspapers, magazines, and premium food and beverage. They are open 24 hours.
Shops and Duty-Free
You will find many stores throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items – from children’s toys to fashion accessories. You can also buy books, magazines, etc., to help pass time.
Duty-free stores are available at the airport, as well as a good selection of shops selling everything from leather goods and souvenirs.
Ethiopian Tourist Trading Enterprise:
The store sells various kinds of perfume, cosmetics, earphones, liquor, cigarettes, and cigars. It is open 24 hours and is located in Terminals 1 and 2, Departure area.
Alfarag Duty-Free:
This duty-free store sells items such as sportswear, shoes, watches, perfume, cosmetics, chocolates, cigarettes, cigars, etc. It is open 24 hours and is located in Terminals 1 and 2, Departure area.
NN Duty-Free Shop:
The store sells various items, which include locally made leather bags, eyeglasses, watches, cosmetics, perfume, chocolate, coffee, wine, liquor, and cigarettes. It is open 24 hours and is located in Terminal 2, Departure area.
Country Trading/Millennium Duty-Free Shop:
The store sells different kinds of chocolates, liquor, cigarette, cigars, etc. It is open 24 hours and is located in Terminal 2, Departure area.
Cafes, Bar, and Restaurants
Finding fast food options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at the Tampa International Airport. These fast-food restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.
Food concessions throughout the airport have been operated with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. There are several food courts at the airport.
London Cafe & Satellite Restaurant: The restaurant serves Ethiopian traditional foods, European foods like chicken, steak, roast, beef, and seafood, and Italian dishes like Aaighi Pasta, lasagna, and Penna. It also serves fast foods like snacks, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches, and beverages like liquor, wine, soft drinks, coffee, cappuccino, and tea. It is open 24 hours and is located in Terminals 1 and 2, VIP, and Departure areas.
Other Amenities at Addis Ababa Airport
The other amenities that are available to travelers at Addis Ababa Airport include:
First-Aid Station:
First-aid stations are located throughout the terminals.
Wheel-chair Hire Stand:
There are wheelchairs on hire facilities available at the airport that can be booked in advance.
ATM:
ATMs are available at Addis Ababa Airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATM if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs throughout the terminals.
Currency Exchange Desk:
The currency used in Ethiopia is called the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Currency exchange desks are available at the airport.
Bank:
Banking facilities are available at the airport.
Hotels On-site and Nearby Addis Ababa Airport
Finding accommodations at the Addis Ababa Airport or nearby should not be a problem for you as there are several hotels out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find comfortable places to stay during your visit to Ethiopia.
A few hotels that are located not very far from Addis Ababa Airport are:
Bole Skygate Hotel:
The hotel is located about 500 m from the airport.
Ambassador Hotel Bole:
The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport. It provides free airport shuttle services.
Lucy Guest House:
The guest house is 20 minutes from the airport. It provides airport shuttle services.
Harmony Hotel:
The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport. It provides free 24-hour airport shuttle services.
Hotel Lobelia:
The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport. It provides free on-demand airport shuttle services.
Jupiter International Hotel:
The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport. It provides free airport shuttle services.
Transport Options To and From Addis Ababa Airport
Getting to and from the Addis Ababa Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.
Airport/Hotel Shuttle Services
Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to the hotel and/or airport. A free shuttle bus provides travelers with easy connectivity.
Bus Services
There is an option is to use the Addis Ababa minibus service. This is the least expensive method of transportation with short trips priced under 3 ETB ($0.09 USD). There is a minibus station located right outside the terminal building with buses to and from the city center available all day.
Train Services
There is presently (no) train service available to and from Addis Ababa Airport.
Taxi Services
Taxis are available for hire at the Addis Ababa Airport. You can find them outside most hotels in Addis Ababa and at the country’s major centers. There are two types of taxis, privately owned blue-white vehicles in Addis Ababa and Mercedes Benz taxis that are operated by the National Tour Operation (NTO).
The larger blue-white taxis have standard routes and pick-up and drop-off passengers along these routes, operating like little buses. These taxis do not use meter rates for taxi charges. There are low standardized fares for fixed routes. All fares for special hire should be negotiated in advance to avoid any confusion later.
Trips are paid for in advance according to destination. These unmetered taxis are about ten times more expensive, on average, than the little blue-white taxis hailed on the street.
Car Hire/Rental Services
You can hire a car at Addis Ababa Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several car rental companies that provide car-to-hire services to travelers on-site. If you are a foreign national, you will require a local license to rent a car.
Conclusion
Traveling to and from Addis Ababa Airport will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find a lot of attractions to enjoy your holidays.
