How do you get around Addis Ababa? Ride apps, taxis, minibuses and light rail

The short answer: book a car. For visitors, a ride-hailing app such as RIDE or Feres, a taxi arranged by your hotel, or a driver for the day is the simplest and safest way to get around Addis Ababa. Uber does not operate in Ethiopia. Minibuses, city buses and the light rail are cheap and used by huge numbers of residents, but they are crowded and hard to navigate without Amharic, so most visitors go by car.

The city is big and hilly, and the places visitors want to see are spread out: Piassa and Arat Kilo in the north, Meskel Square in the middle, Bole and the airport in the south-east. Walking between them is not realistic, and traffic can be slow, so the choice of transport shapes your whole day. If you would rather not deal with any of it, a private driver takes you door to door and waits while you visit.

What are the options at a glance?

How do ride-hailing apps work in Addis Ababa?

Uber does not operate in Ethiopia. Instead, local companies run apps that work in much the same way. The two most widely used are RIDE and Feres, and both are a sensible way to book a registered car.

• RIDE offers sedans, minivans and 12-seat minibuses through its app, and runs a call centre on the short code 8294. Its app listing says it accepts M-PESA mobile money.
• Feres says it runs 24 hours a day with GPS-tracked cars, and takes bookings through its app or its call centre on 6090. Its website lists cash, mobile money and cards as payment options.
• Both call centres use local short codes, so plan on calling from an Ethiopian number. A local SIM or eSIM also gives you data to book and track the car.

The app shows an estimate before you book, which avoids haggling. Check that the plate number and driver's name match the app before you get in. If a pickup pin is confusing, drivers often phone to find you, so keep your phone switched on and have the name of a nearby landmark ready.

Are street taxis a good idea?

Don't just flag down any car. If you book your own taxi, choose a yellow licensed taxi or an app-based car rather than the blue-and-white ones, book it through your hotel or an app, never hail one on the street and don't share with strangers. If a taxi has no working meter, agree the price before you set off.

Should you use minibuses and city buses?

Blue-and-white minibus taxis carry a large share of everyday passengers. They run on set routes, stop almost anywhere and fill up fast. For visitors they are hard work: routes are not signed in English, they are packed at rush hour, and, as on crowded transport anywhere, pickpockets take advantage of the crush.

The big city buses, including the city-owned Anbessa fleet, are slow and crowded and mainly useful if you live here and know the routes. Official travel advice suggests visitors use private transport instead.

Is the light rail useful for visitors?

Addis Ababa's light rail opened in 2015. It has two lines and 39 stations:

• North–south line: from Menelik II Square, near Piassa, south to Kality.
• East–west line: from Ayat in the east to Tor Hailoch in the west.
• The two lines share a short central section that includes Meskel Square.

It does not go to Bole airport or along Bole Road. It also runs far fewer trains than it was built for: in 2024 only 15 of the 41 original trains were still running, because of a shortage of spare parts, maintenance problems and power cuts, so waits can be long and cars crowded. It can work for a daytime hop along its route, but it is not a way to get around the whole city.

Can you walk around Addis Ababa?

Within one neighbourhood by day, yes, and it is a good way to see street life: cafés, markets and people going about ordinary life. The city sits high on a plateau, so hills can tire you quickly in your first days. After dark, go door to door by car rather than walking.

Addis is a busy capital, and the main thing to watch for is petty theft, as in any big city. Keep your phone and bag out of sight in crowded areas, and in the car keep windows closed and valuables off the seat at traffic lights. With our driver you are never flagging taxis on the street or walking dark streets: we drop you at the door, wait, and help you avoid pickpocket hotspots, scams and overcharging.

When does a private driver make sense?

Apps are fine for single trips. For a day of sightseeing, a driver by the day is simpler. Our drivers pick you up at your hotel, drop you at the door of each stop and wait while you visit, so you are not hunting for a car outside a museum at closing time, and one person knows the whole plan. It suits families, older relatives, shopping days and the drive up to Entoto. We also meet flights at Bole, so the first ride of your trip is sorted too.

What else helps when getting around?

1. Get a local SIM first. Ride apps and their call centres work best with an Ethiopian number and mobile data.
2. Carry small notes. Even if you plan to pay in the app, some birr in small notes helps if a mobile or card payment fails.
3. Start early. Traffic builds through the morning and again in the evening. Early starts save a lot of time.
4. Watch for road closures. Big holidays and events close roads around Meskel Square and major churches. Meskel in September 2026 brought closures and checkpoints around the square.
5. Have a backup. Authorities can restrict mobile data and internet during unrest. Save your hotel's and driver's numbers for ordinary voice calls.
6. Use landmarks. Directions are usually given by nearby landmarks, so share a map pin or a well-known building close by.