Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Addis Ababa Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
a policeman walked up to us, and positioned himself about one metre away from us, watching us. After about 5 minutes, i asked him whether everything was okay. He told me that of course everything was okay, but his job is to protect the people here at this airport – Papa Whiskey
ADD Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
What to Expect
Addis Ababa Airport (code: ADD) consists of two terminals, with four gates in Terminal 1 to serve domestic and regional traffic, and seven gates in Terminal 2 handling international flights. Travellers report that the airport is crowded, chaotic, noisy, and uncomfortable. Expect long line-ups for check in and security, aggressive crowds. If you do eat, be prepared to pay high prices for uninspired food choices at one of three branches of the only restaurant in the terminals. WiFi is available, though service is unreliable.
Sleeping in Addis Ababa Airport
The airport is open 24 hours a day, and travellers have managed to spend the night in this airport without any major problems. Seating is scarce throughout the airport, but there are some soft and comfortable recliners, so grab one if you see it empty. For uninterrupted sleep, there are some hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Addis Ababa Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Addis Ababa Airport:
- Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel – Located inside Terminal 2, near the departure gates. Rooms are available in 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hour blocks. The hotel tells us that guests must leave the hotel 45 minutes before departure to do the process to the boarding gate. Terminal 2 departures only. » Check Rates
- Ethiopian Skylight Hotel – Hotel shuttle is available. 5 minute walk to the terminal. » Check Rates
- Bole Skygate Hotel – Free airport shuttle is available upon request. » Check Rates
- Hotel Lobelia – Free airport shuttle is available upon request. » Check Rates
- Jupiter International Hotel – Free airport shuttle is available upon request. » Check Rates
Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Addis Ababa Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles Lounge (Location: Terminal 1, Airside) • Ethiopian Airlines Star Alliance Gold Lounge (Location: Terminal 2, Landside) • Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Lounge I (Location: Terminal 2, Airside) • Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Lounge II (Location: Terminal 2, Airside).
Airport WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Addis Ababa Airport. (Information submitted by a reader)
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Currency Exchange – Available. Location: Unknown.
Duty Free – A small duty free shop is available at the baggage claim area.
Food & Drinks – There is at least one restaurant and coffee shop. Hours: unknown.
Information Desk – The customer service desk and office is located at the baggage claim area and operates 24 hours.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Mobile Charging – Power sockets are available at the boarding area or at the lounge.
Rest Zones – A reader tells us there are “around 20 rest zones available in ADD, Terminal 1 airside in between the signs for gates A1-A10 and A12-A16 (located by escalators).” (October 2020)
Showers – The Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge and Sheba Platinum & Star Gold lounge offer shower facilities. See Airport Lounges above.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Addis Ababa airport is served by the following airlines: 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 • Yemenia • Yemen Airways.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Hotel Shuttles
Some hotels provide airport shuttle service: Hotel Lobelia • Best Western Plus Pearl Addis • Jupiter International Hotel Bole • Ramada by Wyndham Addis Ababa • Friendship International Hotel • Mimi’s Boutique Hotel.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
There are two types of taxis: NTO’s fleet of Mercedes-Benz taxis (only available in Addis Ababa) and privately-owned blue-and-white taxis. NTO taxis are unmetered, with fares based on destination, and can be prebooked through your hotel for rides back to the airport. Blue-and-white taxis are also unmetered and larger than NTO taxis. They operate similar to buses, providing shared ride service on a fixed route for a low, standardized fare about 10x cheaper than an NTO taxi. Special rides can be negotiated with a blue-and-white taxi.
Last updated: 2023-03-21
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
