By Bus

Blue and white minibuses

Blue and white minibuses/taxis travel quite efficiently around town. It is inexpensive; usually between 1–3 birr depending on your distance. To catch a minibus, stand on the side of the road and hail it. This can be done anywhere it is possible for the bus to stop. The conductor inside will call out the destination, and if that's where you want to go: get on. You pay the conductor when he signals to you that he wants money (which might take a few minutes). To get change. To get out say "woraj alle", or just "woraj". It is worth having an Ethiopian guide with you if it is your first time using these minibuses, since it can be quite chaotic to find out what minibuses go where, and from what places.

Orange/yellow public buses

These buses connect the whole city for a fare of 0.5–3 birr (2016). There are no schedules or maps available, however, if you wait on a major street where a crowd gathers you can ask other people or the cashier – which is always in a cabin at the back door – for your destination. Line 31 for example is a convenient line from Meskel Square to the National Museum or Trinity Church. The buses are often overcrowded, so always be aware and watch your belongings.

By Taxi

Taxis run in Addis from around 6am to 11pm. If you are planning on doing some sightseeing, it is worth hiring a taxi for a full or half-day, but be sure to negotiate the price before you begin. Taxis are easily found around town or your hotel can organize one for you.

The small blue Lada taxis are more expensive. Negotiations are expected and you often have to press quite a bit to get a bargain as a foreigner. Do not be surprised if the price increases at night for the same trip.

Yellow and green taxis usually hang around hotels like Sheraton. They are more expensive, but reliable. If you're willing to pay for peace of mind, slightly better drivers and cars.

Uber does not operate here yet, but there are a few alternatives. Zayrides is one that has worked, however somewhat more wonkily. It's often easier to find a cab on the street, unless you're somewhere inside a restaurant or hotel until the driver arrives. They will typically call you when they accept the ride to confirm your location and then again when they arrive. The car's location in the app will often not update.

By Light Rail (Tram)

There are two tram lines that run through Addis, north to south (Blue line 2 from Kality station to Menelik II Sqaure station/Piazza) and east to west (Green line 1 is from Tor Hailoch station to Ayat). The trams cross the city center stopping at around 39 stations. The tram can be a useful way to avoid congestion, but be careful as pickpockets do operate in the carriages. Riders are not used to the concept of letting people off before they get on. As a result, you may need to physically shove passengers out of your way to get off the train.