Ethiopia Travel Budget - Visit Ethiopia on a Budget or Travel in Style


How much does it cost to travel to Ethiopia?

You should plan to spend around $57 (ETB3,235) per day on your vacation in Ethiopia. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $15 (ETB840) on meals
  • $6.37 (ETB359) on local transportation
  • $61 (ETB3,418) on hotels

A one week trip to Ethiopia for two people costs, on average, $804 (ETB45,288). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $57
    ETB3,235
  • One Week Per person
    $402
    ETB22,644
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $804
    ETB45,288
  • One Month Per person
    $1,723
    ETB97,046
  • One Week For a couple
    $804
    ETB45,288
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $1,608
    ETB90,576
  • One Month For a couple
    $3,446
    ETB194,091
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Ethiopia cost?

A one week trip to Ethiopia usually costs around $402 (ETB22,644) for one person and $804 (ETB45,288) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Ethiopia on average costs around $804 (ETB45,288) for one person and $1,608 (ETB90,576) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Ethiopia will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Ethiopia on average costs around $1,723 (ETB97,046) for one person and $3,446 (ETB194,091) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




How much do package tours cost in Ethiopia?

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Ethiopia is $337 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.



Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Ethiopia expensive to visit?

Ethiopia is a reasonably affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 25% of countries in the world for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Africa, Ethiopia is reasonably affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 25% of countries in Africa for its affordability. You can find more affordable countries such as Nigeria, but there are also more expensive countries, such as Zambia.

For more details, see Is Ethiopia Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Ethiopia?

The average Ethiopia trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Ethiopia travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) ETB3,418 ($61)
Local Transportation 1 ETB359 ($6.37)
Food 2 ETB840 ($15)
Entertainment 1 ETB1,121 ($20)
Tips and Handouts 1 ETB5 - 15 ($0 - 0)
Alcohol 2 ETB197 - 590 ($3 - 10)
Accommodation Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Ethiopia is $30 (ETB1,709). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Ethiopia is $61 (ETB3,418). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $30
    ETB1,709
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $61
    ETB3,418

Hotel Prices in Ethiopia

Looking for a hotel in Ethiopia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Ethiopia based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $59. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Local Transportation Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Ethiopia is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $6.37 (ETB359) per person, per day, on local transportation in Ethiopia.


  • Local Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $6.37
    ETB359

Recommended Services

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Ethiopia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Ethiopia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Short Taxi Ride
    ETB5.00
  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    ETB20
  • Short Taxi Ride
    ETB30
  • Short Taxi Ride
    ETB40


Food Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Ethiopia can vary, the average cost of food in Ethiopia is $15 (ETB840) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Ethiopia should cost around $5.96 (ETB336) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ethiopia is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $15
    ETB840

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Ethiopia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Ethiopia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Slice of Cake
    ETB7.00
  • Cookies
    ETB10
  • Dessert Cake
    ETB10
  • Two Cold Fruit Drinks
    ETB16
  • Pastries (for 2)
    ETB17
  • Breakfast (for 2)
    ETB24
  • Restaurant Dinner for 2
    ETB45
  • Lunch (for 2)
    ETB50


Entertainment Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Ethiopia typically cost an average of $20 (ETB1,121) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $20
    ETB1,121

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Ethiopia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Ethiopia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Lalibela Admission (for 2)
    ETB3,300
  • Village Entrance Fee
    ETB10
  • Blue Nile Falls Entrance for 2
    ETB30
  • Stellae Entrance for Two
    ETB50
  • Dorze Village Entrance Fee
    ETB60
  • Castle Entrance (for 2)
    ETB100
  • Village Entrance (for 2)
    ETB130
  • Mursi Village Visit (for 2)
    ETB460


Tips and Handouts Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Ethiopia is $0.18 (ETB10) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Ethiopia is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $0.18
    ETB10

What did other people spend on Tips and Handouts?

Typical prices for Tips and Handouts in Ethiopia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Tips and Handouts prices in Ethiopia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Homeless Meal Donation Tickets
    ETB8.00


Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Ethiopia is $0.33 (ETB19), as reported by travelers.


  • Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
    $0.33
    ETB19


Alcohol Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $6.98 (ETB393) on alcoholic beverages in Ethiopia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $6.98
    ETB393

Recommended


Water Budget in Ethiopia
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $0.30 (ETB17) on bottled water in Ethiopia per day. The public water in Ethiopia is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $0.30
    ETB17


Related Articles
Ethiopia On a Budget
Ethiopia Injera, typical Ethiopian food
Ethiopia is in eastern Africa just north of Kenya and south of Eritrea. It is a fascinating country that is unlike any other place in Africa. In the north it is lush and green with villages and historic sights such as the world renowned Lalibela. It has natural beauty, like the famed Blue Nile Falls, and cultural history with its religious ties to both Islam and Christianity. In the south, you can encounter traditional tribal communities that continue to live and thrive as they have for centuries. In the Omo Valley, you can see the Merci people, with their clay plates and unusual body jewelry. Back in the capital, Addis Ababa, you can see a growing and changing African capital that is becoming more and more linked to the international world.

Ethiopian religion, history and food is unlike anything else. Visit a traditional restaurant where you can watch the impressive local dances and dine on the unique Ethiopian cuisine. Coffee ceremonies are performed in many places as an intricate way to welcome you to the country.

Trips to this country are often divided into two "circuits." Many people head to the culturally rich north to visit Lalibela and Blue Nile Falls among other sights. Public transportation is an option in this more developed portion of the country. The roads are constantly improving and bus routes are fairly common. Many people do choose to take a least one domestic flight on Ethiopian Air to help reduce their travel time. The southern circuit has much less infrastructure and generally requires use of a private vehicle. Many travelers group together to split the cost of hiring a car and driver. This is a very fascinating part of the country and you really shouldn't miss it, but do realize that the expenses can be far greater because you essentially have to do a tour or take inefficient local transportation.

In general, this is one of the less expensive African countries. You will likely be charged a "ferengi" price which is at least twice the local price. You can try to negotiate this down but it will be challenging. Restaurants, hotels, and public transportation are still quite cheap in the country. If you're looking to save money, consider traveling to the northern part of the country independently and then skipping out on the south because it is far more expensive with a private vehicle.
At A Glance
  • Lalibela is by far the most famous and popular tourist destination in Ethiopia. No trip to the country is complete without a visit to this sight which contains mesmerizing churches carved out of rock. There is now a fixed price to visit Lalibela. You can expect to pay $50 (USD) per person for a multi-day pass. There are no single day passes available. This price is significantly higher than in the past, and goes up every few years, but it is still well worth it. You will be shown a basic slideshow and then allowed entry into the churches. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience.

  • Ground transportation in northern Ethiopia is generally uncomfortable, but doable. If you're doing the entire northern circuit you should consider taking at least one flight to save time. This will dramatically cut down on the amount of time you spend in a bus by at least a day. Private drivers are also available, as are tours of the region which provide more comfortable transportation.

  • If you're going to be in the country for any length of time then you're likely to get a little burned out of injera. Even though it's delicious, you'll find that you are eating it at almost every meal. If you're in the capital city there are plenty of western restaurants that are actually quite good. You can choose anything from Chinese to Indian or Italian. You will likely pay a little more for them, though.

  • If you're heading into Southern Ethiopia you'll probably have to hire a private car and driver. It's easy to split the cost with other travelers if you can locate them. You can try to coordinate with people via a travel forum like Lonely Planet, or you can wait until you arrive. Either option is usually reliable.

  • If you plan to buy domestic plane tickets on Ethiopian Air it is sometimes cheaper to purchase them online once you're within the country. You can also use Ethiopian Air's app to buy tickets. You do have to make the purchase about forty eight hours in advance, and the internet can be unreliable so do plan ahead.
Related
Looking for a hostel in Marrakesh, Cape Town, Nairobi, or Zanzibar?
Top Tourist Attractions
Blue Nile Falls: This is a stunningly beautiful waterfall in northern Ethiopia. It beautifully forms a rainbow when the sun is positioned correctly. It's best to visit it towards the end of the rainy season when it is at its fullest.

Lalibela: This is a world famous town in northern Ethiopia that is known for its rock-hewn churches, some of which date back to the tenth century. It's also one of the holiest cities in Ethiopia and one of the most popular with tourists.

Simien Mountain National Park: These dramatically beautiful mountains offer some of the country's best trekking opportunities. Government requirements dictate that you hire a guide and several assistants before you begin the climb, so organizing a trip can be somewhat cumbersome for an independent traveler.

Popular Foods
Ethiopian food is unlike any other African cuisine. It's a unique and delicious cuisine that involves a lot of meat and spices. It is typically served on top of a pancake like bread. Similar dishes are available breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you do get tired of typical Ethiopian food then it is possible to find spaghetti in most towns. In Addis Ababa you can find a wide variety of western restaurants as well.

Injera: The staple of most Ethiopian meals, this is a traditional pancake like flat bread that's made from teff flour. Some people compare its flavor to sour dough bread, but its texture is far more chewy. Stew like entrees are typically served on top of the bread and diners then enjoy the meal by eating with their hands.

Wat: This is a thick meat stew that is served on top of injera and is usually quite spicy. It's one of the more popular stew like dishes in Ethiopia and can be made with several different types of meat.

Kitfo: This popular Ethiopian specialty is made with raw ground beef that is mixed with a type of chili powder and served on top of injera. Many travelers choose to avoid this dish because it is raw, but it is a favorite of most local residents.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.