Ethiopia Travel Guide

Language

Amharic is the official language, although over 80 local languages are also spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as well as some French and Italian.

Currency

The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and authorized hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travelers checks or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.

17.1533

Time

Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used. Even in Addis, electricity supply is irregular and blackouts are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Ethiopia is +251. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The area code for Addis Ababa is (0)1. Telephone, fax and postal facilities are available in most main towns. IDD is available. There are Internet cafes in Addis Ababa and Internet services may be available in upmarket hotels in other areas. A GSM 900 network is provided, but coverage is limited to Addis Ababa and a few other parts of the country.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Ethiopia over the age of 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227g of tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages; 2 bottles or 500ml of perfume; and gifts to the value of Br10.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 551 2310 or www.ethiopiatourism.com

Embassies in Ethiopia

• United States Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 517 4000.
• British Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 661 2354.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa (also responsible for Australia): +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• South African Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3034.
• Irish Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 466 5050.

Ethiopia Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 364 1200.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 7212.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 6637.
• Consulate-General of Ethiopia, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9417 3419.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 346 3542.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 678 7062.

Emergency

Emergencies: 91 (Police), 92 (Ambulance).

Language

Amharic is the official language, although over 80 local languages are also spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as well as some French and Italian.

Currency

The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and authorized hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travelers checks or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.

17.1533

Time

Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used. Even in Addis, electricity supply is irregular and blackouts are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Ethiopia is +251. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The area code for Addis Ababa is (0)1. Telephone, fax and postal facilities are available in most main towns. IDD is available. There are Internet cafes in Addis Ababa and Internet services may be available in upmarket hotels in other areas. A GSM 900 network is provided, but coverage is limited to Addis Ababa and a few other parts of the country.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Ethiopia over the age of 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227g of tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages; 2 bottles or 500ml of perfume; and gifts to the value of Br10.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 551 2310 or www.ethiopiatourism.com

Embassies in Ethiopia

• United States Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 517 4000.
• British Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 661 2354.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa (also responsible for Australia): +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• South African Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3034.
• Irish Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 466 5050.

Ethiopia Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 364 1200.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 7212.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 6637.
• Consulate-General of Ethiopia, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9417 3419.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 346 3542.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 678 7062.

Emergency

Emergencies: 91 (Police), 92 (Ambulance).

Language

Amharic is the official language, although over 80 local languages are also spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as well as some French and Italian.

Currency

The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and authorized hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travelers checks or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.

17.1533

Time

Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used. Even in Addis, electricity supply is irregular and blackouts are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Ethiopia is +251. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The area code for Addis Ababa is (0)1. Telephone, fax and postal facilities are available in most main towns. IDD is available. There are Internet cafes in Addis Ababa and Internet services may be available in upmarket hotels in other areas. A GSM 900 network is provided, but coverage is limited to Addis Ababa and a few other parts of the country.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Ethiopia over the age of 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227g of tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages; 2 bottles or 500ml of perfume; and gifts to the value of Br10.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 551 2310 or www.ethiopiatourism.com

Embassies in Ethiopia

• United States Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 517 4000.
• British Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 661 2354.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa (also responsible for Australia): +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• South African Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3034.
• Irish Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 466 5050.

Ethiopia Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 364 1200.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 7212.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 6637.
• Consulate-General of Ethiopia, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9417 3419.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 346 3542.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 678 7062.

Emergency

Emergencies: 91 (Police), 92 (Ambulance).

Language

Amharic is the official language, although over 80 local languages are also spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as well as some French and Italian.

Currency

The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and authorized hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travelers checks or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.

17.1533

Time

Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are used. Even in Addis, electricity supply is irregular and blackouts are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Ethiopia is +251. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The area code for Addis Ababa is (0)1. Telephone, fax and postal facilities are available in most main towns. IDD is available. There are Internet cafes in Addis Ababa and Internet services may be available in upmarket hotels in other areas. A GSM 900 network is provided, but coverage is limited to Addis Ababa and a few other parts of the country.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Ethiopia over the age of 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227g of tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages; 2 bottles or 500ml of perfume; and gifts to the value of Br10.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 551 2310 or www.ethiopiatourism.com

Embassies in Ethiopia

• United States Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 517 4000.
• British Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 661 2354.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa (also responsible for Australia): +251 (0)11 371 3022.
• South African Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3034.
• Irish Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 466 5050.

Ethiopia Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 364 1200.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 7212.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 6637.
• Consulate-General of Ethiopia, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9417 3419.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 346 3542.
• Embassy of Ethiopia, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 678 7062.

Emergency

Emergencies: 91 (Police), 92 (Ambulance).