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.
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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 one terminal building divided into two sections: Domestic and International. There are four gates in the Domestic departures and seven in the International departures. The two sections distance roughly 250 metres from each other. Travellers report that the terminal is crowded, chaotic, noisy, and uncomfortable. Expect long line-ups for check-in and security, as well as aggressive crowds. If you do eat, be prepared to pay high prices for uninspired food choices at one of three cafés. WiFi is available, though the service is unreliable.
Sleeping in Addis Ababa Airport
If you arrive late and have an early morning connecting flight, leaving the airport to get a hotel room for a few hours might not be worth your time. And while the airport remains open 24 hours, we don’t have a lot of positive news if you are stuck on the landside/public area. Seating is scarce throughout the terminal, and what there is of it consists mostly of armrests. You will, however, fare better if you can remain on the airside, where you will find a limited number of recliners. Terminal 2 offers more rest spots than Terminal 1, including recliners near Gates A10-A16 (T1) and padded benches without armrests near Gates 1-10 (T2), but often occupied. For uninterrupted sleep, you can head to the hotel at Terminal 2. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read recent traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Addis Ababa Airport Guide.
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.
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.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours, with landside and airside access across Terminals 1 and 2. Security checkpoints align with flight schedules: Terminal 1 (5:00 AM–11:00 PM), Terminal 2 (24/7 for international flights, domestic gates close ~1:00 AM). Overnight airside access in T2 requires a boarding pass.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
In October 2020, a reader let us know 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).” Terminal 2 offers padded benches near Gates 1-10 and a Quiet Room near Gate 13 (airside, recliners, quieter).
Cots
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, Airside, near Gate 13. Rooms are available in 3, 6, 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. » 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
If you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the airport, consider visiting one of the lounges at Addis Ababa Airport.
Walk-in Rates, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
There is one airport lounge that is open to all passengers regardless of airline or class of service flown. The Plaza Premium Lounge can be accessed with a day pass, a lounge membership, or by paying at the door.
Hours: open 24 hours
Special Facilities: Shower Rooms
Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid Lounge Passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit Card Rewards.
Airline Lounges
Ethiopian Airlines operates 4 lounges:
Hours: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Lounge Access: The lounge is open to Cloud Nine passengers • Ethiopian Airlines business class passengers • Star Alliance First and Business Class passengers • Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles Platinum members • Star Alliance Gold members.
Hours: 24 hours.
Lounge Access: The lounge is open to Ethiopian Airlines business class passengers • Star Alliance First and Business Class passengers • Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles Platinum members • Star Alliance Gold members.
Hours: open 24 hours.
Lounge Access: Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles Platinum members • Star Alliance Gold members.
Hours: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Lounge Access: This lounge is dedicated to Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles Silver members.
Drinking Water
A reader tells us the airport “has several drinking fountains and water bottle refill stations next to the bathrooms. The sign says, “for drinking only,” but I am unsure if the water is filtered at all. It might still be contaminated. Bottled water is readily available at various shops, but some shops only take cash. They will take euros or US dollars, probably other currencies as well.” (September 2024)
Food & Drinks
Spending a night in the airport usually comes with interrupted sleep and a serious case of midnight munchies. Café Ethiopia (T2, Airside, Level 2, near Gate 10), Kaldis Coffee (T1, landside, Level 1) are rumoured to be open 24 hours. This is unconfirmed, so you may want to pick up some supplies before the concessions start to close for the night.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage at T2 (landside, Level 1, near Arrivals) is available. Rates: ETB 50-100/$1-$2 USD per item/day, 24/7. In T1, there is limited storage near the check-in coutners. Rates: ETB 50/day. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Power sockets for charging mobile devices are available in the boarding area and lounges. In T1, charging stations were spotted airside, near Gate A12. In T2, on the airside (near Gates 5 and 15) and on landside (Level 1, near food court). Outlets are sparse and you’ll need an adapter.
Showers
The Sheba Cloud Nine Lounge offers shower facilities. See Airport Lounges above.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Addis Ababa Airport. Connect to the “ADD Free WiFi” network. A mobile phone number is required for registration. According to reports, the connection is quite slow.
Security & Safety
While we have not been informed of safety issues at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, incidents of petty theft have been reported on the landside. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Currency Exchange – Available. Location: Unknown.
Duty-Free – A small duty-free shop is available in the baggage claim area.
Information Desk – Information is not available.
SIM Cards – A reader says, “Sims (and eSIMs) can be obtained at the EthioTelecom stall immediately after baggage claim and customs. Look for the lime green structure. Phone and data plans can be purchased with cash or card. Data plans are cash only. Cost for 1 week of unlimited data was $7 USD.” (December 2023)
Bus
Blue Line SkyBus connects Terminal 2 (T2, Level 1) to Bole Road. Journey time: 20 minutes. Fare: ETB 10/$0.20 USD. Hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM. Departs: every 15-30 minutes.
Hotel Shuttles
Hotel shuttles depart from T2 Level 1. 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.
Inter-Terminal Transportation
Free airport shuttle buses link T1 and T2 on the landside. The shuttle departs every 15-30 minutes. Hours: 24/7.
Ride-Sharing
Several ride-share services are available in Addis Ababa. Among these are RIDE, ZayRide, ETTA, and Ride Ethiopia.
Taxi
Taxi stands can be found outside the airport. Remember that taxi rates tend to vary, so ask for an estimated fare to your destination before starting your journey.
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 similarly to buses, providing shared ride service on a fixed route for a low, standardized fare, about ten times cheaper than an NTO taxi. Special rides can be negotiated with a blue-and-white taxi.
Last updated: 2025-02-28
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is 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 websites. 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.