ADD / Addis Ababa Bole International Airport - Connections, Facilities, Layovers
Mar 15, 2018, 8:47 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Apr 15, 2018, 1:52 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Just an update. The GOLD TRACK security checkpoint has been expanded and relocated last month. It is now opposite Gate 10 and very conveniently located for all the lounges as well as the priority boarding gate.
Gold Track Security Checkpoint
Priority Bus Boarding Gate
Gold Track Security Checkpoint
Priority Bus Boarding Gate
Apr 15, 2018, 8:10 pm
#18
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,746
Qatar flies out of Terminal 1, the domestic terminal. It uses a shabby lounge at the top of the stairs to the right. Passengers are taken to the plane in a bus. The elevator to the ground floor wasn't working last night. Everyone had to walk down the stairs including two very infirm elderly wheelchair ladies.
Apr 15, 2018, 11:56 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
I would just note that ADD tends to frequently change the way they do things in the airport. I have flown through there once every few months on business for the last 2 years. Each time there are new surprises. For example, the Star Gold boarding area near Gate 10 was added sometime last year I believe. Used it once successfully, but on subsequent trips, there have been no guests or staff there, so couldn't rely on getting to your flight when waiting there. I've also had times where I've sat in the premium waiting areas, got bussed to the plane as Star Gold/Business only to find that the whole economy class had already boarded. Not a great experience when you're *G and sitting in economy.
I've also noticed the last few trips that the boarding gates on the lower level no longer have Group 1 boarding areas, meaning they never call business or *G customers to board first. It's typically chaos as everyone in all 5 groups clamors for the queue.
The post should also note that there are no restaurants or stores beyond security, so be prepared to wait at your gate without the option to buy anything to nibble on.
On the whole, I find Ethiopian Airlines to be generally reliable with a good onboard experience, but ADD airport is hectic and frustrating. Sometimes your trip can go off without a hitch, while other times you're stuck in frustrating lines with no one clear on how things are supposed to work that day.
I've also noticed the last few trips that the boarding gates on the lower level no longer have Group 1 boarding areas, meaning they never call business or *G customers to board first. It's typically chaos as everyone in all 5 groups clamors for the queue.
The post should also note that there are no restaurants or stores beyond security, so be prepared to wait at your gate without the option to buy anything to nibble on.
On the whole, I find Ethiopian Airlines to be generally reliable with a good onboard experience, but ADD airport is hectic and frustrating. Sometimes your trip can go off without a hitch, while other times you're stuck in frustrating lines with no one clear on how things are supposed to work that day.
Apr 16, 2018, 1:19 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
That said, I find Addis one of the easiest airports to transit through, especially if traveling outside of ultra-peak hours (viz. 0700-0900 or 2100-2300). It's the only major hub where I have been able to make 20 minute connections regularly with checked baggage and without breaking a sweat.
Apr 16, 2018, 2:32 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: AU
Programs: EK platinum, ET, SAS
Posts: 542
And you're right about off-peak hours. I'm always taking the Emirates flight from Dubai which arrives at around 1330, and a few weeks later back to Dubai, leaving around 1600. It's always fairly empty except for the EK passengers. That's the difference with our experience there.
Apr 16, 2018, 9:17 am
#23
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,746
For those of us coming in on temporary e-visas, be aware that you might need to show the paper form on exiting the country. 3 of us were traveling together. All 3 had to show the paper documents.
Apr 19, 2018, 9:49 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: ShebaMiles Blue, Skywards Blue
Posts: 42
And you're right about off-peak hours. I'm always taking the Emirates flight from Dubai which arrives at around 1330, and a few weeks later back to Dubai, leaving around 1600. It's always fairly empty except for the EK passengers. That's the difference with our experience there.
Apr 21, 2018, 11:31 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
I connect via ADD both on my onward and return journeys. Do I have to get the transit visa twice or I am better off getting an Ethiopian visa?
Also, could Ethiopian Airlines give hotel vouchers (My transit is over 10 hrs) for both together?
Also, could Ethiopian Airlines give hotel vouchers (My transit is over 10 hrs) for both together?
Apr 21, 2018, 6:13 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
You can always get your own Ethiopian visa if you want, but that would mean having to pay for the visa yourself as well as for the hotel, ground transport and meals during your layover. You are also free to use the ET voucher for the transit visa and then stay at another hotel if you prefer (I do this regularly depending which hotel I am allocated on the voucher). It is much quicker at immigration to use the ET transit voucher than to get your own visa-on-arrival or eVisa (although your eVisa can be processed at the regular immigration lines too).
May 24, 2018, 9:00 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Stockholm
Programs: SQ, SK, QR
Posts: 386
I am looking at flying NBO > ADD on ET305 arriving at 19:40, then connecting onto ET600 ADD > DXB departing at 21:45. Barring any delays on the first flight, will I have enough time for a stress-free transit?
My alternative would be to arrive on ET303 at 1:35pm. If taking this option, do I have time/would it be worth ducking out to see the city for a few hours?
Appreciate any help.
My alternative would be to arrive on ET303 at 1:35pm. If taking this option, do I have time/would it be worth ducking out to see the city for a few hours?
Appreciate any help.
May 24, 2018, 12:50 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
I am looking at flying NBO > ADD on ET305 arriving at 19:40, then connecting onto ET600 ADD > DXB departing at 21:45. Barring any delays on the first flight, will I have enough time for a stress-free transit?
My alternative would be to arrive on ET303 at 1:35pm. If taking this option, do I have time/would it be worth ducking out to see the city for a few hours?
My alternative would be to arrive on ET303 at 1:35pm. If taking this option, do I have time/would it be worth ducking out to see the city for a few hours?
If you take the earlier flight, you'll be given a transit voucher that covers hotel, meals and visa as the transit time is >8 hours. So you could easily go into town, have lunch, take a nap, explore and still be back for your next flight.
May 24, 2018, 6:04 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Stockholm
Programs: SQ, SK, QR
Posts: 386
No transit of Addis is ever "stress free", although if you are in Cloud Nine or are Star Gold, it is relatively less stressful. 2h+ is more than enough time to transit however.
If you take the earlier flight, you'll be given a transit voucher that covers hotel, meals and visa as the transit time is >8 hours. So you could easily go into town, have lunch, take a nap, explore and still be back for your next flight.
If you take the earlier flight, you'll be given a transit voucher that covers hotel, meals and visa as the transit time is >8 hours. So you could easily go into town, have lunch, take a nap, explore and still be back for your next flight.
Jun 3, 2018, 10:57 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: CO Platinum/1K, SPG Platinum/Ambassador
Posts: 1,705
When ET procures a hotel for you, does your passport get stamped? I know this is an odd sounding question, but for countries that require a YF vaccine for transits over 12 hours, not having a stamp would certainly help.