The most recommended way of getting around Ethiopia is by air. The best airline for domestic flights is Ethiopian airlines; offering good discounts flights to Ethiopia.

There domestic flight schedule cover all destinations on the historical route and what’s more you can fly in between these destination without having to go back to Addis Ababa for connections.

The destinations covered include; Axum, Bahr Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, Arba Minch, Gambela, Dire Dawa, Jijiga, Mekele and Debre Markos. Check Addis Ababa flights.

Alternatively you could tour Ethiopia by road. The roads in Ethiopia are not that great generally so road trips are usually bumpy and long. Combining your road trips with a few domestic flights  really makes a difference especially if you have less than two weeks to tour, otherwise a good chunk of this time will be spent on the road.

There are two categories of bus companies in Ethiopia; the government bus service and the private bus services. With the government bus services you get to book your seat before the intended day of travel. The only drawback with them is that they leave a little later than the stipulated time of departure. The private bus services don’t give the option of reserving a seat. Seats are awarded on a first come first serve basis. The private buses have no set time for departure they just take off when they are full.

It is important to note that standing in the aisles of long distance buses is highly illegal although the tout will be telling you its not. This makes the whole bus ride experience relatively civilized. The buses also don’t operate at night.

Since all the long-distance buses leave early in the morning, you should plan to get to the bus station by 6am. Tickets can be booked in advance on most of the longer journeys. Otherwise, you can get your tickets on the day of departure. You have to be aware of touts selling at inflated prices. The usual price of bus tickets is around $150 per 60 miles (100 km). You might want to get a seat behind the driver if you want to get any fresh air because Ethiopians are known for keeping their windows closed through out a bus ride.

You can also get around Ethiopia by using minibuses, taxis, and Garis, horse-drawn carriages that usually accommodate two passengers. Minibuses and taxis are good for transport within the bigger cities and towns or alternatively for short distances between towns. The taxis n Ethiopia are not metered you have to bargain for the fare. You can ask your hotel receptionist on what a reasonable price is for your trip before setting off.

Minibuses between towns are usually found at the bus station, but you can also flag them down any time you see them. They will stop provided they are not full. They are a little more expensive than buses, but they get you to your destination quicker. The conductor who is called the woyola will shout out the final destination so you have to listen carefully. Minibuses and taxis can be identified by their blue and white coloring scheme. Minibuses ply a set route so there fares are fixed.

If you want to experience the real Ethiopian way of getting around then Garis are the way to go.  This is a good way of travelling in the bigger towns and cities because it allows for a lot of sight seeing plus the ride is cheap. You’ll have to master the local language to get to where you want to go.

Another alternative of getting around Ethiopia is by train. There is one railway line in Ethiopia connecting Addis Ababa with Dire Dawa and then on to Djibouti City. The train is not guaranteed to be operational at anytime. However, if the train is running, it departs every 2-3 days. The journey can take up to 16 hours depending on the weather and conditions of the track. The trip itself is quite scenic because you pass through desert landscapes. Get a 1st class seat; there are no couchettes or berths on the train.

You can also choose to tour Ethiopia by car. This allows you time to see the beautiful scenery you might have missed while flying. You can rent a car for this. You should be aware that you are not allowed to rent a car without renting a driver. The best car to rent is a four wheel drive because of Ethiopia’s hilly and desert terrain. The advantages of renting a car is that your time is under your control and you can easily map out a schedule. Plan your method of transportation ahead to avoid inconveniences during your stay.