Is Addis Ababa Expensive?

Is Addis Ababa expensive to visit?

Addis Ababa is a fairly affordable travel destination with an average daily cost of $68. Compared to the rest of Africa, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Africa for its travel costs, comparable to places like Kampala and Marrakech.



Injera, typical Ethiopian food

How expensive is Addis Ababa?

For a trip to Addis Ababa, travelers spend on average $68 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Addis Ababa here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Addis Ababa?

On average, a weekend trip to Addis Ababa costs about $204 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $408.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Addis Ababa?

A one week trip to Addis Ababa costs about $476 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $952.

Is it expensive to backpack in Addis Ababa?

Addis Ababa attracts a few backpackers, but traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a small number of hostels found here. The average cost of a dorm bed in a hostel in Addis Ababa is $10 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $10 and the most expensive are more than $10 per night. (See hostel prices in Addis Ababa here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Addis Ababa.

  • $10 for a dorm bed at Mad Vervet Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Addis Ababa?

Examining hotel prices in Addis Ababa, we can see that they are moderately priced when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $0. The city is equipped with about 3 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $159. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $46 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $50 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Addis Ababa
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 3 $159
4 stars 24 $63
3 stars 23 $46
2 stars 2 $50
No rating 1 $32

Mike leyland street, Addis Ababa
Overall Rating 9.5
Haile G/Selassie Street, Addis Ababa
Overall Rating 9.2

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Addis Ababa?

In Addis Ababa, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $8 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $20.

    • Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour: $75
    • Every day Addis Ababa City Tour : $76
    • Addis Ababa Private Guided City Tours : $80
    • Museum Highlights Guided Day Tour in Addis Ababa: $103
    • Awash National Park Tours: $295
    • Private Half Day Guided tour in Addis Ababa New Flower: $70
    • Addis City Tour & Crater Lakes excursions in Debreziet!: $130
    • City Tour of Addis Ababa: $95

    Is food expensive in Addis Ababa?

    In Addis Ababa, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $18 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $15.

    • Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
    • Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205
    • Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with transfers: $154
    • Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa: $168
    • HALF DAY + DINNER Addis Ababa City Tour: $140
    • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75

    Is transportation expensive in Addis Ababa?

    Local transportation in Addis Ababa can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $8 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $6. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Addis Ababa

    If you're planning a trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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