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Is it safe to travel?
Most visitors to Addis Ababa have no problems. Parts of Ethiopia are affected by armed conflict and unrest, and the situation can change quickly. Read your own government's travel advice before you book and again before each journey.
Travel advice maps
The maps the UK and Canadian governments publish with their travel advice, loaded from their sites so you always see the latest edition. Tap a map to open it full size.
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Updated 2026-10-30
- Against all travel
- Against all but essential travel
- Read the advice before travelling
Government of CanadaUpdated 2026-10-29
- Avoid all travel
- Avoid non-essential travel
- High degree of caution
Read the full advice © Government of Canada
Official travel advice
What each government says, as read on 2026-10-31. Advice changes quickly: open your own before you book and again before you go.
- UK FCDO updated 2026-10-30Against all travel to Tigray, Amhara, Gambela, parts of Afar, Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz, and border areas
US State Department updated 2026-08-27Level 3: Reconsider travel. Do not travel to Tigray, Amhara, Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz, most of Oromia and border areas
Japan MOFA updated 2025-03-21Level 1 in Addis Ababa. Level 3 (do not travel) for most of Tigray and Amhara. Level 4 (leave) along the borders
Good to know
- Fly between regions where you can. Flights to Mekele, Axum and Shire are suspended, and foreigners cannot currently use airports in Afar.
- Do not drive after dark outside Addis Ababa.
- Carry a paper copy of your passport photo page, visa and entry stamp. Expect checkpoints and follow police instructions.
- Some areas of the country have no mobile or internet coverage, so download an offline map before you set off and leave your plans with someone you trust.
- Stay away from demonstrations, large crowds and military sites.
- Ethiopia runs mostly on cash and ATMs are unreliable outside cities. Take enough cash before you leave a city.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers your full route and activities. Ask your insurer about areas with travel warnings.
- Sign up for alerts from your government: STEP for US citizens, FCDO email alerts for UK citizens, Tabireg for Japanese citizens.