Ethiopia · ADD
Flights to Addis Ababa from the UK
Addis Ababa is flown direct from Heathrow, which makes it one of the easier East African cities to reach and a common connecting point onward into the rest of the continent. The city sits at roughly 2,350 metres, so the first day usually feels harder than the flight — take it gently and drink more water than you think you need.
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Flights from the UK to Addis Ababa
We quote every one of these by hand. Pick a departure airport and we will come back with the real fare on your dates.
Departure dates shown are examples and move forward automatically — we are not holding these seats. Prices, where shown, are indicative and change daily.
Airport
Bole International (ADD)
Flight time
about 7h 45m direct from London
Best time to go
October to March, after the main rains
Currency
Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
Time zone
GMT+3
Country
Ethiopia
Flight times are approximate and depend on the routing. Ask us for the exact schedule on your dates.
When to go to Addis Ababa
Based on the climate and the school and holiday calendar, not on fares. We have no live pricing — ask us for the actual cost on your dates.
Time in Addis Ababa
London
—
Addis Ababa
—
3 hours ahead of London · GMT+3
How long it takes to Addis Ababa
Usually connecting through
The cheapest fare is often the longest journey. Tell us which matters more and we will price both.
Flying to Addis Ababa from your airport
Journey length from each UK airport — hours, not fares.
- LHRLondon Heathrow7h 45m
Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines
- LGWLondon Gatwick11h–15h
via Istanbul or Dubai
- MANManchester11h–15h
via Istanbul or Dubai
- BHXBirmingham11h–15h
via Istanbul or Dubai
- EDIEdinburgh11h–15h
via Istanbul or Dubai
- GLAGlasgow11h–15h
via Istanbul or Dubai
Leaving from a regional airport usually means one stop — sometimes cheaper than the train to Heathrow, sometimes not. Ask us and we will price both.
Who flies to Addis Ababa
These are the carriers we most often quote on this route. The cheapest is rarely the same one twice, which is the reason to let us check rather than assume.
Ethiopian Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Emirates
Qatar AirwaysBefore you travel to Addis Ababa
Entry
Most visitors need a visa, available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Apply through the official Ethiopian government portal.
Health
A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk. Addis itself is high enough that malaria is not a concern, but lower-altitude parts of the country are.
How far ahead to start
Real lead times for Addis Ababa — the parts that cannot be rushed.
8 weeks before
Vaccinations
Some courses take time to complete, and a yellow fever certificate is only valid from 10 days after the jab.
6 weeks before
Visa
Applications for Addis Ababa are among the slower ones we handle. Starting early costs nothing; starting late can cost the trip.
On the day you book
Travel insurance
Cancellation cover only protects you against what happens after the policy starts, so buying it later leaves a gap.
1 week before
Confirm baggage
Extra allowance bought in advance costs far less than at the airport desk — the usual sting on this route.
24 hours before
Check in
Seats fill fast on busy routes and families get split up. Confirm the schedule at the same time.
Requirements depend on your nationality, not where you live, and they change without notice. Confirm yours at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before booking anything non-refundable — or just ask us. Our travel guide covers passports, visas and vaccinations in full.
What does Addis Ababa cost right now?
Fares on this route move daily and differ by UK departure airport. Tell us your dates and we will come back with a real price — including baggage, which is where these routes usually catch people out.
Flying to Addis Ababa — your questions
The things people ask us most about this route. Anything else, just call 020 4618 3838.
The direct flight is about 7h 45m direct from London. With one stop it is typically 11–15 hours depending on the layover, so the cheapest ticket is often the longest day.
EmiratesQatar AirwaysTurkish Airlines
Kenya AirwaysEthiopian Airlines
British Airways
Saudia
Etihad Airways
KLM
Lufthansa
Virgin AtlanticEmiratesQatar AirwaysTurkish AirlinesKenya AirwaysEthiopian AirlinesBritish AirwaysSaudiaEtihad AirwaysKLMLufthansaVirgin AtlanticTop flight destinations in Africa
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