The national airline is Ethiopian Airlines (ET) (website: www.flyethiopian.com), which operates three flights a week from London, with a stopover either in Frankfurt or in Cairo, and three times a week from Washington.

From Addis Ababa to London is 10 hours.

Addis Ababa (ADD) (Bole International) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). To/from the aiport: A coach service departs regularly to the city. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Duty free, car hire, banks, bureaux de change, left luggage, post office, first aid facilities, restaurant and bar.

US$20, payable in US Dollars only. Exact amount only. Transit passengers not leaving the airport and children under two are exempt.

A 784km- (487 mile-) rail service between Djibouti and Addis Ababa is run jointly by the two governments.

The main route is via Kenya. There is an all-weather road from Moyale on the border via Yabelo, Dila and Yirga to Addis Ababa. The following border points are also open: Dewale/Galafi (from Djibouti) and Humera/Metema (from Sudan). The road linking Nairobi and Addis Ababa forms part of the Trans-East African Highway.

Ethiopian Airlines runs internal flights to over 40 towns, although services may be infrequent. Airports throughout Ethiopia are currently being upgraded in a step to encourage tourism. Ethiopian Airlines also operates an Historic Route Service for tourists taking in the most famous historic sites.

ETB10.

The only working line runs between Addis Ababa and Djibouti, via Dire Dawa and Harar. Travellers should be prepared for occasional delays.

A good network of all-weather roads (4100km/2562 miles of ashphalt) servicesmost business and tourist centres. Otherwise, 4-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended (19,000km/11,875 miles of gravel and dirt roads). Frequent fuel shortages can make travel outside Addis Ababa very difficult. Vehicle travel after dark outside Addis Ababa is risky. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Services throughout the country are run by the Government as well as private companies. The bus terminus can provide schedules and tickets, although it is unusual for tourists to attempt to use this service. Bus trips can be slow as there is often a lengthy wait to assemble a convoy (necessary in more dangerous areas). Taxi: Available in Addis Ababa and other major towns. These include blue-and-white mini buses; they sometimes offer service on a shared basis and are inexpensive. Fares are not usually metered and should be negotiated before travelling. Personalised and specific trips should be negotiated with the driver in advance of travel. In Addis Ababa, the National Tour Operation (NTO) operates luxury taxis. They are stationed outside major hotels and at the airport. There are also yellow taxis at the aiport. Neither have meters. Car hire: This is available from Avis and Hertz in Addis Ababa. Documentation: Full valid international or Ethiopian licence is required. Licence from country of origin must be endorsed locally.