overnight at ADD - Addis Ababa airport
May 27, 2012, 12:04 pm
#1
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overnight at ADD - Addis Ababa airport
Off to a friend's wedding in Zanzibar. I'm trying to save on the travel budget, and find myself arriving in ADD at 03:30 from Madrid via Cairo, leaving for ZNZ at 10:30.
Has anyone got a clear picture of what ADD is like at that time of night/day in terms of finding a lounge or a quiet corner ?
Chjeers, Ian
Has anyone got a clear picture of what ADD is like at that time of night/day in terms of finding a lounge or a quiet corner ?
Chjeers, Ian
May 27, 2012, 3:37 pm
#2
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Addis is largely quiet when you arrive at 330am and then gets ridiculously crazy from about 6am until you depart during the main African departure bank.
There are plenty of quiet corners if you don't mind sitting/sleeping on the floor with the dozens of others with the same idea.
There are plenty of quiet corners if you don't mind sitting/sleeping on the floor with the dozens of others with the same idea.
May 28, 2012, 2:22 am
#3
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Addis is largely quiet when you arrive at 330am and then gets ridiculously crazy from about 6am until you depart during the main African departure bank.
There are plenty of quiet corners if you don't mind sitting/sleeping on the floor with the dozens of others with the same idea.
There are plenty of quiet corners if you don't mind sitting/sleeping on the floor with the dozens of others with the same idea.
I'd like to grab the opportunity and have a day or two in Addis, but time isn't on my side this trip.
Jun 3, 2012, 8:05 pm
#4
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No guarantees on my memory here, but I'm pretty sure Ethiopian Air had a 24 hour Cloud Nine Lounge at Addison Abbaba Airport. Even though I was flying Ethiopian with my United *A (Premier Executive) card, I could get admitted. If you're not on Ethiopian coming or going, I suspect you won't have much luck.
Jun 9, 2012, 10:35 am
#5
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ethiopian is now part of the star alliance, so if you are travelling on *A, you should be able to go into their lounge if it is open. There isn't much other seating until you are allowed into your gate just before boarding, so plan for going to one of the restaurants or sitting on the floor if you stay at the airport. If you are transiting on Ethiopian for both legs of your flight they often provide a hotel for long layovers but might be an 8hr cutoff.
The last time I had a long layover in ADD they gave economy customers a room and a meal at the wabe shebele hotel in Mexico Square. It was simple and clean but certainly an old, previously government owned hotel. Business class was taken to the (also old) Hilton.
Another option would be to make a reservation at a hotel and discuss with them that you'd be arriving very early in the AM. However, to do that you'd need a transit visa on arrival which might eat up another hour of the time you'd have to leave the airport. I'd just bring a blanket and a book if I were you.
The last time I had a long layover in ADD they gave economy customers a room and a meal at the wabe shebele hotel in Mexico Square. It was simple and clean but certainly an old, previously government owned hotel. Business class was taken to the (also old) Hilton.
Another option would be to make a reservation at a hotel and discuss with them that you'd be arriving very early in the AM. However, to do that you'd need a transit visa on arrival which might eat up another hour of the time you'd have to leave the airport. I'd just bring a blanket and a book if I were you.
Jul 20, 2012, 7:48 am
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Does anyone know if ET gives free transit hotels to ALL pax or just to those on revenue tickets? I have a business class award ticket with a 10 hour layover and was wondering if they will give me a hotel.
Is the lounge open 24-hours a day? Last time I was there, it was during the daytime so dont remember looking for the overnight hours.
Is the lounge open 24-hours a day? Last time I was there, it was during the daytime so dont remember looking for the overnight hours.
Jul 20, 2012, 8:10 am
#7
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Lounge is open overnight.
Jul 20, 2012, 4:10 pm
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Jul 21, 2012, 3:30 am
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Jan 3, 2013, 11:20 am
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Jan 4, 2013, 8:14 am
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Jan 4, 2013, 8:47 am
#13
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They always find enough hotels to go around, especially for Business Class passengers. Quality deteriorates at the bottom end of the scale! Business Class almost always winds up at the Hilton though.
Jan 5, 2013, 8:13 am
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I called Ethiopian yesterday to work on seat assignments and asked about my ticket (UA award ticket in C). At first, the agent said yes, you get a hotel. Then she said, no, you do not. Then she spoke to a supervisor, and came back and said, yes you do. She also said the transit visa is at your own expense ($20 USD).
Luckily, I know that FT reports are more trustworthy than the phone agent. Still, worried they may come up with an excuse when I get to ADD. Fingers crossed!
Luckily, I know that FT reports are more trustworthy than the phone agent. Still, worried they may come up with an excuse when I get to ADD. Fingers crossed!
Jan 5, 2013, 9:45 am
#15
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You don't actually get the normal transit visa for the STPC. Instead you get a laminated plastic token which you hand to immigration and they stamp your passport for a 24 hour stay. No need to line up for the actual visa if you don't intend staying any longer than that.