Transferring from Mekele to Axum

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zoomsthru
zoomsthru

My friends and I - 3 people in all - will be returning from a tour to the Danakil depression on 23-Nov at about 16:00. We asked the company we're doing the tour with (Teddy Zion) if they can arrange for a private taxi to take us from Mekele to Axum as soon as we return from the tour and he said that it can be done for about US$110 per person.

The amount seems rather steep to me given that flying costs about $50, but the flight is not at a convenient time for us. So I just wanted to know if there are other options available to make the trip after 16:00 on the 23rd - a direct bus for instance - which is reliable and safe.

Thanks in advance!

Edited by zoomsthru
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mvbergen
mvbergen

You have buses between the two cities but as most of them are running only during day time, it will be better to wait until the next morning otherwise a contracted vehicle is your only option.

Michel

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mvbergen
mvbergen

Are you sure that you will be back at Mekele around 4 PM ?
You will be in Africa and not in Germany... And the Danakil is not the easiest to reach/leave/move around...
Even with a travel agency...

Michel

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zoomsthru
zoomsthru

Thanks for the quick response Michel! I'm aware that there may be delays while returning from the Danakil, but given my experiences in other African and some Latin American countries, I can't imagine that massive delays on private tours are routine. And in either case, we will not be paying more than a small deposit for the taxi ride (if we do take it)and will be fine taking the bus to Axum the next day, if we are unable to return on time.

What you say about buses mainly running during the day makes sense. I won't count on anything being available the night we return from Danakil.

Edited by zoomsthru, clarification
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mvbergen
mvbergen

You don't have night buses and as the road conditions are not always good, most of the transports are moving early in the morning. Even if you are able to catch a vehicle on the way to Axum (but not to Axum), you will have between two and three hours to reach Axum. It's totally impossible and the bus will stop, before, on the way.
You can leave Mekele when you will coming back from the Danakil but you will not be in a bed in Axum at night...

Michel

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yamon08
yamon08

I got a price on Mekele to Axum with stops at 3 Tigray churches for $125 from a travel company and the same route for $225 from another....

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zoomsthru
zoomsthru
In response to #5

Is that $125 per person or for a whole vehicle? And can you share the tour company - if it is for a whole vehicle, I might get in touch with them. Thanks!

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yamon08
yamon08

Got the lower price from Ethiopian Travel and Tours. Not sure if its the whole vehicle as it didn't really matter to me to be on a tour . The higher price was from World Sun .

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