Ethiopia

Ethiopia is vast, diverse, and a little addictive, so give yourself time. Many travellers start in Addis Ababa, then branch out to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the monolithic obelisks of Aksum, the high plateaus of the Simien Mountains, or the cultural heartland around Bahir Dar and Gondar. Distances are big and roads can be slow, so it’s better to pick 2–3 regions and explore them deeply rather than try to loop the entire country.

A rough first trip might look like:

1. Addis Ababa (2–3 days): museums, coffee culture, and markets.
2. Historic North (7–10 days): Bahir Dar, Lake Tana monasteries, Gondar castles, Lalibela.
3. Nature (3–5 days): trekking in the Simien Mountains.

Use Hello’s trip planning to map out travel days vs sightseeing days so you’re not spending every second day in transit. Domestic flights are common for long hops, but book early in high season (roughly October to March). Check current security and travel advisories when choosing regions; conditions can change quickly. With a bit of planning and realistic expectations about travel times, Ethiopia rewards you with some of the most memorable journeys in Africa.

Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian birr (ETB). Cash is still king outside major cities, so withdraw in Addis Ababa or large towns before heading to remote areas. ATMs exist in most sizable cities, but power cuts and connectivity issues are common, so don’t wait until you’re down to your last 100 birr.

Day-to-day costs are relatively moderate. A filling local meal like injera with shiro or tibs can cost around 150–250 ETB (roughly US$3–5), while a mid-range restaurant in Addis may charge 400–700 ETB (about US$7–13). Budget 500–800 ETB per day for food and small extras if you’re eating mostly local. Entrance fees to historic sites and national parks add up, so include a buffer in your budget.

Hello’s budget tracking helps you monitor spending in birr, so you can see in real time how much you’re putting into transport, food, and tours. Travelling with friends? Use Hello’s expense splitting when paying for shared guides, 4x4 rentals, or big restaurant bills—very handy when you’re juggling cash and multiple currencies. Keep small notes for tips and local buses, and always carry a little emergency cash separate from your wallet.

Moving around Ethiopia can be part of the adventure. In cities like Addis Ababa, you’ll find blue-and-white minibuses, metered taxis (in some areas), and ride-hailing apps in the more central neighborhoods. Agree the fare before you set off if there’s no meter, and avoid walking long distances after dark.

For longer journeys between cities, options include:

• Domestic flights: Fastest for big jumps like Addis–Lalibela or Addis–Gondar.
• Coach buses: More comfortable than minibuses, but book a day ahead.
• Minibuses and shared taxis: Cheap and frequent, but can be cramped.
• Private car with driver: Worth it on rough roads or tight schedules.

Road conditions vary from new highways to potholed mountain passes. Journeys often take longer than maps suggest, so plan travel days into your Hello trip planning and avoid tight connections. With a Hello eSIM active before you land, you can check maps, message guesthouses about late arrivals, and keep an eye on route changes without worrying about roaming charges. In remote areas, signal can be patchy, so download offline maps and confirm next-day transport the evening before.

Ethiopian food alone is a reason to visit. Expect injera, a slightly sour, spongy flatbread, topped with colourful stews called wats. Classics include doro wat (spicy chicken stew), siga tibs (fried meat with onions and peppers), and shiro (a smooth, comforting chickpea stew). Many dishes are naturally vegan-friendly, especially during religious fasting periods.

Meals are typically shared. Everyone eats from the same large injera platter using their right hand; washing facilities or a jug of water are often provided beforehand. If someone feeds you a bite directly—called gursha—it’s a gesture of friendship. If you’re not used to spicy food, ask for “mild” versions or try more neutral dishes like atkilt (mixed vegetables).

Don’t miss a traditional coffee ceremony. Fresh beans are roasted, ground, and brewed in front of you, served in three rounds (abol, tona, baraka). It’s slow, social, and deeply woven into daily life. Use your Hello eSIM to quickly look up nearby cafes or restaurants with good local reviews, then log what you spend on snacks, coffee, and meals in Hello’s budget tracking so you can see just how much of your trip fund is being happily consumed by coffee and injera.