ethiopia

Ethiopia Travel Guide

Trek Zone
selam
(suh-lam • Amharic)
Say hello
74°F
Saturday
75°F
Sunday

Season Note

Are March and April good months to visit Ethiopia?

3

March

Semi-high
season

4

April

Semi-high
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Ethiopia for tourism.

Visa obtained online (e-visa)

A visa is required, but can be obtained through the relevant website.

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 34 to 46 USD

Tourist's budget
from 54 to 74 USD

Did you know?

The population of Ethiopia is around 114.96 mil., which puts the country in 64. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Addis Ababa (ET) and Washington D.C. (US) is 7162 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Addis Ababa click here

Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Adama
Awasa
Gondar
Mekelle
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
7162
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Ethiopia to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Ethiopia on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

3

Level 3 • Reconsider your need to travel (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 25 Mar 2024

Upcoming holidays

10 April 2024• Eid al-Fitr

1 May 2024• Labour Day

Currency

Ethiopian Birr (ETB) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 ETB
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.01631
61.31143
GBP
0.01393
71.81216
USD
0.01758
56.89081
Update: 29 Mar 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Ethiopia

Map
Distance matrix
MilesAddis AbabaLalibelaAxumGondarMekeleHawassaBahir DarHarar
Addis Ababa-210353264313137201231
Lalibela210-146113105347116282
Axum353146-13467489197405
Gondar264113134-14839070390
Mekele31310567148-450192340
Hawassa137347489390450-323295
Bahir Dar20111619770192323-359
Harar231282405390340295359-

A Brief History of Ethiopia

Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries

Best Ways to Experience Ethiopia

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 34 to 46 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 54 to 74 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Ethiopia via the Prices link

Currency

More

Ethiopian Birr (ETB)

ETB
  • ETB
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
ETB
  • ETB
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 29 March 2024
Ethiopian BirrEthiopian BirrEthiopian BirrEthiopian Birr

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Ethiopia.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Cholera

Cholera is a disease of the digestive tract caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.The most common infection occurs through the ingestion, mainly through water contaminated with human faeces, and also through food (mainly fruit, seafood). Less often by contact with the sick person and their environment.
Prevention
  • Eat and drink safely
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Ethiopia

Umiarkowane

Areas with malaria

All areas below 2500 m (8202 ft), except none in the city of Addis Ababa

Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)

Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.Infection occurs through droplets - through contact with the secretion of the patient or the host, e.g. when coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing cutlery or dishes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagEthiopia for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa obtained online (e-visa)

A visa is required, but can be obtained through the relevant website.

  • Allowed stay: up to 90 days
  • Visitors are fingerprinted
  • Visa on arrival is obtainable only at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. eVisa holders must arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. eVisas are available for 30 or 90 days.

Electricity

220V (50 Hz)

In Ethiopia the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, F sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket CType C
socket FType F

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

64 / 231
Ranking
114 963 588
Oromo 34.4%, Amhara (Amara) 27%, Somali (Somalie) 6.2%, Tigray (Tigrinya) 6.1%, Sidama 4%, Gurage 2.5%, Welaita 2.3%, Hadiya 1.7%, Afar (Affar) 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Silte 1.3%, Kefficho 1.2%

Area

65 / 232
Ranking
426.4 thous. mi²
It is approximately 12% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

61 / 221
Ranking
67.9
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 65.8women 70.1

Median age

63 / 222
Ranking
19.8
Average age of population expressed in years.men 19.6women 20.1

Population growth

61 / 224
Ranking
2.5%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

58 / 210
Ranking
51.8%
Ability to read, write and count.men 57.2%women 44.4%

GDP

56 / 194
Ranking
2 422 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon South Sudan, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder