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An Ethiopian Airlines plane over the runway, with the airport terminal behind

Addis Ababa Layover Tours

Six hours in Addis is more than a stopover

With Ethiopian Airlines connecting travellers across Africa and beyond, a long layover in Addis Ababa can become an opportunity to discover Ethiopia's capital. Enjoy a private city tour with airport pickup and drop-off, explore local landmarks, experience Ethiopian coffee culture and return to the airport with sufficient time for your onward flight.

Packages
4
Shortest
6 Hours
Starting from
$60
Airport
Bole (ADD)

Choose Your Window

Four packages, sized to your connection

Tell us your inbound and onward flight numbers and we will tell you honestly which of these fits.

Addis Ababa Highlights Tour
6 Hours

Addis Ababa Highlights Tour

Starting from $60 per person

A short loop of the capital for tight connections: Entoto views, a cathedral and a coffee ceremony.

The Day

  1. 01Meet-and-assist at arrivals with a name board
  2. 02Drive up Mount Entoto for the panorama over Addis Ababa
  3. 03Holy Trinity Cathedral and the tomb of Emperor Haile Selassie
  4. 04A traditional coffee ceremony and a light Ethiopian lunch
  5. 05Return to Bole in good time for your onward flight

Included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle and licensed guide
  • All entrance fees
  • Lunch and the coffee ceremony
  • Airport meet-and-greet both ways

Best for: Connections of 8 hours or more

Book this layover
Addis Ababa Full-Day City Tour
12 Hours

Addis Ababa Full-Day City Tour

Starting from $100 per person

Our full Addis Ababa day: Entoto, Lucy at the National Museum, Holy Trinity, Merkato and a coffee ceremony.

The Day

  1. 01Meet at arrivals and begin with the views from Mount Entoto
  2. 02The National Museum of Ethiopia: meet Lucy
  3. 03Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum
  4. 04Traditional Ethiopian lunch
  5. 05Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets
  6. 06Coffee ceremony, then return to Bole for check-in

Included

  • Private vehicle or minibus with licensed guide
  • All entrance fees
  • Lunch and coffee ceremony
  • Airport transfers and check-in assistance

Best for: Connections of 14 hours or more

Book this layover
Overnight Stay and Day Trip
24 Hours

Overnight Stay and Day Trip

Starting from $350 per person

A night in Addis Ababa, a cultural dinner, and a day trip to Debre Libanos or Wenchi Crater Lake.

The Day

  1. 01Arrivals meet and transfer to your hotel
  2. 02Dinner at a traditional restaurant with music and dance
  3. 03Morning drive to Debre Libanos and the Portuguese Bridge
  4. 04Gelada on the cliffs and the rim of the Blue Nile Gorge
  5. 05Or choose Wenchi Crater Lake, or Tiya and Adadi Mariam
  6. 06Return to Addis Ababa and transfer to the airport

Included

  • One night in a 3 to 4 star hotel with breakfast
  • Private vehicle and licensed guide throughout
  • Cultural dinner, lunch and all entrance fees
  • Airport transfers both ways

Best for: Overnight connections and stopovers

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Lalibela Stopover Tour
48 Hours

Lalibela Stopover Tour

Starting from $600 per person

Two days is enough for Lalibela: fly north, explore the rock-hewn churches, and fly back for your onward leg.

The Day

  1. 01Arrivals meet and morning flight to Lalibela
  2. 02The northern and eastern church clusters with a local guide
  3. 03Bete Giyorgis in the afternoon light
  4. 04Evening coffee ceremony and a night in a Lalibela lodge
  5. 05Morning visit, then the flight back to Addis Ababa
  6. 06Transfer to Bole for your onward flight

Included

  • Domestic flights Addis Ababa to Lalibela to Addis Ababa
  • One night’s lodge accommodation with full board
  • Licensed local guide and all church entrance fees
  • All airport and hotel transfers

Best for: Stopovers of two days or more

Book this layover

Logistics First

On a layover, timing is everything

Seeing the sights is the easy part. Planning your city tour around airport procedures, traffic conditions and your onward flight takes local knowledge and experience. We carefully plan every excursion to help you make the most of your time in Addis Ababa while allowing sufficient time to return to the airport.

We track your inbound flight

If your flight arrives late, we adjust your pickup and itinerary around the time available. Your driver stays informed of your arrival, helping you make the most of your layover.

Visa guidance before you arrive

We provide practical guidance on Ethiopian visa requirements, application procedures and applicable fees before your journey. Where visa on arrival is available to you, we explain what to expect at Bole International Airport.

Your onward flight comes first

Every itinerary is planned around your departure time, airport procedures and expected traffic conditions. We allow a suitable return buffer so you can enjoy your city tour without unnecessary pressure about your connecting flight.

Practical luggage arrangements

If your checked luggage is transferred directly to your final destination, you can explore with less to carry. For hand luggage, we can discuss suitable storage arrangements in advance, depending on availability and your tour plans.

Book a Layover

Send us your flight details

Your flight numbers are all we need to get started. We will check the visa requirements for your passport, recommend a suitable layover tour and coordinate a driver around your arrival and departure schedule.

  • Quick confirmation: we aim to respond within a few hours.
  • Airport pickup: your driver will meet you at Bole International Airport at the agreed arrival time.
  • Private transport: enjoy your own vehicle, never a shared coach.

Let’s Plan Your Ethiopian Adventure

Tell us a little about your travel plans. We’ll help you create a journey that suits your interests.

Enquiry about Addis Ababa layover tour

What kind of journey interests you?Choose as many as you like.

We respond personally within 24 hours. Your personal information will be kept confidential and used to respond to your enquiry.

Discover Ethiopia. Experience the Extraordinary!

Long stopover? Discover Lalibela.

With two nights in Ethiopia, you may have time to fly to Lalibela, explore its remarkable rock-hewn churches and experience the town's unique atmosphere before returning to Addis Ababa for your onward flight. We will help coordinate flights, accommodation and sightseeing around your schedule, subject to flight availability.

Or call us directly on +251 912 039405

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