Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Ethiopia depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for EthiopiaEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Currency
- Name
- Ethiopian Birr
- Code
- ETB
- Symbol
- Br
Cash economy outside Addis Ababa. ATMs in Addis Ababa and Lalibela; less reliable elsewhere. USD can be exchanged at banks. Carry enough cash before travelling to remote areas (Danakil, Omo Valley).
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type E, Type F, Type L
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
EAT (UTC+3) — no daylight saving. Ethiopia also uses its own calendar (13 months) and clock system (day starts at 6am = hour 0) — confirm times carefully.
Best Time to Visit
October–January is the dry season and best time to visit. January features Timkat (Ethiopian Christmas, 7 Jan) and Timkat processions. The Omo Valley tribal festivals fall in September. Avoid June–September (rainy season) for most areas.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Increasingly expected in tourist restaurants in Addis |
| Guides | $5–10 USD per day | Essential — guides are often the main earner for their families |
| Drivers | $5 USD per day | — |
| Hotels | 20–50 ETB for porters | — |
Dress Code
- Modest dress throughout — Ethiopia is both Christian and Muslim in different regions
- Women: cover shoulders and knees; headscarves appreciated at churches
- Remove shoes before entering Orthodox churches — many require this
- White garments are traditional for church attendance — Ethiopians dress beautifully for worship
Social Etiquette
- The coffee ceremony (bunna) is sacred — it is an honour to be invited; expect three cups
- Greet with a slight bow and right hand — adding the left hand to your own right forearm shows extra respect
- Injera (sourdough flatbread) is the base of every meal — always eat with your right hand
- Ethiopians are enormously proud of their history and independence — engage with genuine curiosity
- Never refuse food — even a symbolic taste is respectful
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Drone flying requires a Civil Aviation Authority permit — apply months in advance
- Photography at Lalibela, Aksum, and other heritage sites is permitted but always ask first; some require a fee
- The political situation in some regions (Tigray, Amhara, Oromia) can change rapidly — check your government's travel advisory before visiting
- LGBTQ+ activity is illegal — exercise extreme caution
- Drugs carry severe penalties
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / How are you? (Amharic) | ሰላም (Selam) / እንዴት ነህ? (Endét neh?) | SEH-lahm / en-DET neh |
| Thank you (Amharic) | አመሰግናለሁ (Ameseginallehu) | ah-meh-seh-gee-NAH-leh-hoo |
| Please (Amharic) | እባክህ (Ebakeh — m) / እባክሽ (Ebakesh — f) | eh-BAH-keh / eh-BAH-kesh |
| Yes / No (Amharic) | አዎ / አይ (Awo / Ai) | AH-woh / AHI |
| Coffee! | ቡና! (Bunna!) | BOO-nah — the most important word in Ethiopia |
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