We will be travelling to Ethiopia on Thursday and are unsure about our hotel pick-up. Are there any recommendations for taxis at the airport, and how much should we pay to the city centre? Also, where are the Skybus and Salem bus stations in Bahir Dar and Gondar?
Thanks in advance
What means "city center" ? There is no real city center but a (huge) central part.
Depending the time of arrival and where you are going, some public transports are doable.
Michel
Thanks Michel. We're staying in Adams Hotel in Kirkos, which doesn't seem to be too far from the airport. After a long flight we'd prefer to get a taxi, so how much should we pay, and are there any taxis better than others? Do you know where the buses stop in Bahir Dar and Gondar?
Thanks
Norman
I don't know the current prices for a taxi and I used Hiace when I was there.
I was in Gonder and Bahar Dar few years ago and I have no idea of the actual place of the two bus stations.
When I was there, it was inside the two cities.
Michel
If you reach Bahar Dar or Gonder by luxury buses like Selam or Sky, you will be dropped in the city.
They are not starting from the city bus station and they are not arrive there too.
Michel
You should have some informations inside a guidebook.
At least for the bus stations.
Bradt Ethiopia is the more accurate.
Michel
In my experience, mid-range and upper range hotels in Addis all offer complimentary airport pick-up.
However, if for whatever reason you want to take a taxi my advice would be ignore the drivers of the blue-coloured taxis which congregate near the airport exit and make your way to the end of the end of the parking lot where the seemingly cheaper green-coloured taxis are parked. You will need to bargain hard to get a reasonable price, and this may very well be impossible if you are arriving late at night or the drivers think they have you over a barrel (e.g. if you have lots of luggage). In August I paid 100b to go from the airport to Jupiter International Hotel (Bole), and I expect it may be twice as much to get to your hotel.
You should have some informations inside a guidebook.
At least for the bus stations.
Bradt Ethiopia is the more accurate.
We have the Lonely Planet Michel, but it was printed a couple of years ago even though it was bought new. I can't find the Bradt book here, and it's too late to buy it online.
In my experience, mid-range and upper range hotels in Addis all offer complimentary airport pick-up.
That is what it says on our booking, but looking at reviews on other sites they don't always do this. Trying to contact the hotel is difficult as I cannot find a way to contact them directly. We have asked Jovago to pass on our request, but when you don't have a reply from the hotel itself you are always a bit unsure. Thanks for the information on taxis, 200 birr is fine, even if the hotel is only 5km away. After an 8 hour flight all we want is to get to the hotel safely.
Thanks guys. Really looking forward to the trip now that it's only a day away!
Norman
Re post 7 etc.
1. Adams hotel is NOT well known. It is in Kera and IF you are in a taxi, you approach via the Gotera Interchange rather than Debra Zeit Rd.
Ie go west across Gotera and right at main Kera traffic lights.
Have the hotel phone number so your or taxi driver can ring them for guidance....
IF you finish up getting a yellow airport taxi then the man in charge at foot of ramp you wheel your luggage down has a long list of fixed prices to different destinations......see if Adams is on it.
The new yellow and green metered taxis are not allowed in airport car park...