Search Flights from Addis Ababa to Southampton

The airport, which is approximately 6 kilometers of the city center, is located on Bole Road. In the city where public transportation is not very developed, you can use minibuses to reach the airport. Taxi is another transportation alternative that is frequently preferred by visitors. In addition to these, you can get to the airport from the city center by renting a car or by benefitting from the airport shuttle service in case your hotel offers this service.

Minibus

You can reach the airport by getting on a minibus from the minibus stops located in the city center. Minibuses generally carry passengers to the airport from 5:30 am to 09:00 pm. Although it is relatively cheaper compared to taxi, you should remember that drivers may demand higher amounts from tourists. The fare is about 5 Birr. They may also charge extra amount for each baggage.

Hotel Shuttle

Hotel shuttle service is the most comfortable alternative for your travel to the airport. In Addis Ababa city center, there are both small hotels and accommodation centers of chain hotels such as Hilton, Radisson and Sheraton. Some of these hotels offer airport shuttle service. If your hotel offers this service and you want to benefit from this service for your travel to the airport, you should definitely make a reservation in advance.

Taxi

There are two types of taxis that you can get on to reach the airport. Mercedes taxis of the National Tour Operator (NTO) operate under a company and offer service with more comfortable vehicles. With their predetermined tariffs, they create a more reliable image in terms of the fares. You can ask your hotel to call a NTO taxi for you.

There is no taximeter in the taxis operating in Addis Ababa, so it is advised to agree on the fare before getting on. These yellow taxis are approximately 10 times more expensive than blue-white taxis. You can also reach the airport in a short time with a blue-white taxi which you can find in the city center or waiting in front of hotels. The average fare is between 80 and 100 Birr. The owners of these taxis aren’t companies but individuals. Since there is also no taximeter in blue-white taxis and fares are not standardized by a company, they are more flexible in terms of fares and you should definitely bargain.

Car Rental

You can rent a car from one of the car rental companies that you can find in the city center or from the offices of tour operators. You can also get help from your hotel about renting a car.

Since some roads in Addis Ababa have no name, there isn’t sufficient number of traffic signs throughout the city and there is no traffic light on many roundabouts, traffic flow isn’t in order. For this reason, renting a car during your visit may not be a good option. If you want to rent a car only for travelling to the airport from the city center, you should prefer a company which has an office at the airport.

In order to get to the airport with the car you have rented, connect to Bole Road in the city center, drive southeastward and follow the airport signs.

Airport Information

There are 2 terminals at the airport. Terminal 1, which offers service for domestic flights, is located in the old building. Terminal 2 offers service for international passenger transportation in the new building.

At Bole International Airport, there are many restaurants and cafes in addition to stores and a duty-free shop where you can do some shopping before your flight.

At the airport, there is also a lounge for passengers looking for a comfortable environment and a much larger lounge is now being constructed. Although there is no left luggage service at the airport, you can find other standard airport services such as pharmacy, currency exchange office and ATM.

There are a variety of transportation alternatives available to get to Southampton city center from Southampton Airport. Buses and trains provide convenient transportation to the city from the airport starting in the early hours of the morning and operating until the late evening. Taxis and rental cars are other transportation alternatives that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Taxi

Checker Cars is the licensed taxi service operating at Southampton Airport. Checker Cars feature modern vehicles with trained drivers and they offer passengers different payment options. These taxis provide transportation to the city center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Taxis are an ideal alternative at hours when public transportation vehicles are no longer in service. There are vehicles that can accommodate 6 to 8 passengers, for those who want to ride share. You can make a reservation for your return from the authorized company employees at the airport. You can also pay the fare with the authorized personnel by cash or credit card.

Bus

City buses U1C provide transportation to the city center from Southampton Airport. These buses operate from 5:30 am to 11:25 pm. During the week bus line U1C runs every 15 minutes and over the weekends bus line U1C runs every 30 minutes. There are also private buses that provide service from Southampton Airport to the city. These private bus services offer more baggage room and are more comfortable. First Group and Wheelers Connect depart from the bus stop near the terminal building and provide transportation to the city center in 25 minutes.

Train

The Southampton Parkway Railway Station is located within walking distance to the main terminal. Trains departing from this station provide transportation to the city center in 7 minutes. You can purchase train tickets at the automated ticket machines at the station. If you purchase a ticket online it is almost half off. Train lines 051, 158, 165, 187 operate from 6:20 am to 1:20 am and take 10 minutes to get to the city center. These trains also provide transportation to London.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. There are various rental car companies at the Car Rental Reception Centre that you can easily rent a vehicle from. Companies you can choose from include Alamo, Europcar, Hertz, National, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. Driving to the city from the airport is quite enjoyable.