Eritrea — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Casual tourist wear is suitable for most places, but visitors should dress modestly. For business, a suit is most appropriate. Coffee is a delicacy in Eritrea and to be asked to take coffee is a symbol of hospitality and the way that Eritreans honor their guests. It takes up to an hour for the coffee to be prepared in a coffee ceremony and it is standard practice that you must have three cups and compliment the taste before leaving. Smoking is not popular with traditional or elderly Eritreans. Shoes should be taken off in churches and, particularly, in mosques. Homosexual behavior is illegal.
Photography: It is not permitted to photograph government or military buildings.
International Travel
Getting There By Air
The national airline is Eritrean Airlines (B8) (website: www.ertra.com).
Departure Tax
US$20.
Main Airports
Asmara (ASM) is 6km (4 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available to the city center. Facilities: Left luggage, bank/bureau de change, post office, bars, duty-free shop and restaurants.
Getting There By Water
Main ports: Massawa port in Eritrea is the largest deep-water port in the Red Sea.
The other main port in Eritrea is Assab.
There are very limited scheduled passenger services. There is a weekly ferry service from Massawa to Jeddah.
Getting There By Road
Travelers are advised against all travel to the border areas with Ethiopia and Sudan. There are heightened tensions along the Ethiopia/Eritrea border. Travelers are also advised against travel in the area north of Afabet in the Sahel region and along one road in the west of the country. Check with the relevant authorities beforehand as this situation could alter.
Duty Free
Overview
The following goods may be imported into Eritrea without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of alcoholic beverages.
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
Internal flights operate between Asmara and Assab but are limited. Assab (ASA) is 15 km (9 miles) from Assab. Buses and taxis travel to the town (journey time – 15 to 30 minutes).
Getting Around By Rail
There are eight locomotives operating on the on the Asmara-Massawa railway line. There are no timetables and services are not regular.
Getting Around By Road
Traffic drives on the right. The infrastructure suffered badly during the protracted fighting. Repairs and a modernization program are currently underway. Roads between major cites are paved and in relatively good condition, others are not paved and can be of very poor quality. Bad weather can make them worse. 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended on all other roads and tracks.
Bus: Services connect all larger towns and cities. There are usually two buses per day to larger towns and one bus per day to smaller towns. They leave a destination when full.
Taxi: These can be found in the capital and at the airport. They usually carry multiple passengers and there is a tendency not to wear a seat belt. For a higher fee travelers can hire a taxi for themselves. Fares are higher at night (usually double) and should be negotiated in advance as taxis are not metered.
Car hire: Cars can be booked through the Eritrean Tour Service.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.
Note: A permit is required by the Ministry of Tourism in Eritrea to travel to all areas except Keren, Dekemhare, Mendeferra and Massawa. They are usually granted on the day an application is submitted.
