🇪🇹 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Survival Guide for Arrivals

✈️ Flights Egypt (Cairo) → Addis Ababa (Bole Airport). Direct flights with Ethiopian Airlines cost around ¥2,000. For cheaper options, consider layovers via Saudi Arabia (~¥1,000+), but during holidays (e.g., CNY), prices rise to ¥1,600-1,800, making direct flights a better deal. Booked via Trip.com for ¥2,018 (direct, 4h). Flight departed 30 mins early, arriving at 6:30 AM local time. Cairo check-in only verified eligibility for visa-on-arrival. Pro tip: Ethiopian Airlines offers 50% off domestic flights if you’ve flown internationally with them—great for trips to the Danakil Depression or Lalibela rock churches. 🗳️ Visa Visa-on-arrival: $60, requires passport + hotel info. Payment: Card/cash (USD preferred; change may be given in local currency at poor rates). Process: 15 mins, sticker visa issued. 📱 SIM Card Skip the airport (USD only) and head to Ethio Telecom (e.g., 📍 Bole Japan branch near Golden Coffee/Rwandan Market). Package: 1-month unlimited data + 115 mins calls = 1,450 ETB (¥73). Bring passport; setup takes 5 mins. 💰 Currency Exchange Official rate: 1 USD = 124 ETB | Black market: 1 USD = 140 ETB or 1 CNY = 20 ETB (Jan 2025). Best spots: Rwandan Market (Chinese restaurants) Taishan Guesthouse owner (Accepts Alipay/WeChat). 🏡 Accommodation 1️⃣ Taishan Guesthouse ¥150/night (Branches 1 & 2), ¥298 (Branch 3 with elevator). Includes 3 Chinese meals/day + airport transfers. Branch 1: Basic, slow WiFi, occasional power cuts. Branch 2 recommended for short stays. 2️⃣ Lotus Building 22 Budget-friendly at 850 ETB (¥42.5) for a single room with private bathroom. 5-min walk to commercial streets, nearby eateries. 🚗 Transport Ride-hailing apps: Ride (Ethiopian Uber), Yango, or Feres (cheapest but less accurate GPS). Pay in cash. #Ethiopia #AddisAbaba 🇪🇹✨