Bole International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Bole lies about 6 km from the centre and has no train or metro: every transfer is by taxi, 15-25 minutes depending on traffic, which slows down a lot at certain hours. That is why sleeping near the airport makes more sense here than elsewhere: for night departures, typical of the Ethiopian Airlines hub, and for long layovers, when the in-terminal hotel saves you going back into town. Those staying a few days will instead choose the Kazanchis area or the centre, where embassies, offices and international hotels are concentrated, and get around by taxi or with the Ride app.

At the airport

The hotel is connected to the Terminal 2 departures, a short walk from the gates: access is after passport control.

Best for: Layovers of many hours with a later flight from Terminal 2, without leaving the boarding area.

Pros

From bed to gate on foot, with no traffic or taxi
Can also be booked by those not in transit on Ethiopian flights

Cons

It is beyond passport control: no use to arriving passengers who want to leave the airport
Outside the hotel there is only the departures area, with no other place to dine

Recommended hotels in this area

Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel: 97 rooms in Terminal 2 after passport control; run by Ethiopian, it also hosts transit passengers for 8 to 24 hours.

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Bole airport area

Airport area · The DoubleTree is about 5 minutes away by free shuttle; the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel is also about 5 minutes from the airport.

Best for: Dawn or late-night flights and short stops, with a transfer of a few minutes.

Pros

A transfer of a few minutes, independent of traffic towards the centre
International hotels with restaurants and shopping centres such as Edna Mall nearby

Cons

The district is a business one: in the evening it offers little that is typically Ethiopian
The historic centre is far away and reachable only by taxi

Recommended hotels in this area

DoubleTree by Hilton Addis Ababa Airport: Free shuttle from the terminal, about 5 minutes; it has a restaurant, gym and spa, suited to those who want to stay one night without long transfers.
Ethiopian Skylight Hotel: An Ethiopian Airlines hotel with 1,024 rooms five minutes from the airport; pools, gym and many restaurants, also for stays of several days.

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Kazanchis

Neighbourhood · From the Radisson Blu the airport is about 6 km away via Airport Road; by taxi or the Ride app it takes 15-25 minutes, and the hotel also offers a shuttle to be arranged.

Best for: Those staying a few days for work or to see the city who prefer a district with many hotels.

Pros

Close to Meskel Square and the light rail, useful for getting around without a taxi
Many international properties to choose from, also for long stays

Cons

At rush hour the journey to the airport can become much longer
A district of offices and embassies, with few places open in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa: Next to the United Nations complex, 6 km from the airport, with an airport shuttle; spa and free parking.

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Addis Ababa city centre

City centre · The Sheraton is about 7 km from the airport: by taxi it takes 15-25 minutes, and the transfer can be arranged with the hotel before arrival.

Best for: Those who want a historic upscale hotel and a quiet garden after days in the city.

Pros

Free airport shuttle at any hour, useful with night flights
Closer to Piazza and the historic districts than the Bole hotels are

Cons

City traffic makes the transfer time hard to predict
Reviews mention somewhat dated facilities

Recommended hotels in this area

Sheraton Addis, a Luxury Collection Hotel: Open since 1998, with gardens and several restaurants; the airport transfer must be booked with the hotel before arrival.

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