Major city · Ethiopia
Hararሐረር
Spend 2–3 days in Harar to see the walled Jugol, feed hyenas and sample coffee; one night is enough if you’re on a tight schedule.
Harar is a compact UNESCO World Heritage walled city in eastern Ethiopia. Its historic gates, 99 mosques and lively markets fit into a walkable core, so 2–3 days let you explore the Jugol, visit museums, feed hyenas and try the famous Harar coffee without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ETB
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- Airport
- DIR
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Harar991 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Harar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB); the rate was floated in July 2024 and has moved a lot since — check the current rate before you land.Ethiopia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEthio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia both sell SIMs at Bole arrivals and shops with passport registration; a few GB costs a few dollars.Ethiopia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Ethiopia-wide
- TippingLocal restaurant: Round up.Ethiopia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ethiopia-wide
- SafetyHarar is generally safe for daytime travel; be vigilant at night and watch for unofficial fare hikes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets or none at all on the road.Ethiopia-wide
- Emergency numbers991 police · 907 ambulance · 939 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on all public holidays; many shops close on Orthodox feast days; Muslim businesses close for Friday prayers in Harar.Ethiopia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDIR Dire Dawa International Airport (Shared taxi to Harar bus station, about 1 h).
- Getting aroundThe Jugol is walkable; auto‑rickshaws (bajaji) are everywhere for trips beyond the walls.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at bunna betETB 30–50
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Dire Dawa to HararETB 5,000–5,500
- Metro or bus rideMinibus from Addis (Selam Bus)11 h journeyETB 300 (check)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per personETB 1,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ETB 3,500 · Mid ETB 5,500 · High ETB 9,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DIR Dire Dawa International Airport (Shared taxi to Harar bus station, about 1 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (14 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Harar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Jugol is walkable; auto‑rickshaws (bajaji) are everywhere for trips beyond the walls. Taxis from Dire Dawa cost ~5,000 birr (2025).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ejersa Goro (birthplace of Haile Selassie)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round trip
Hire a private taxi from Harar, about 30 km (19 mi) eastHire a private taxi from Harar, about 19 mi (30 km) east
Simple stop, no entry fee.
Aweday khat market
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h round trip
Private taxi west, 45 km (28 mi)Private taxi west, 28 mi (45 km)
Observe market; buying khat is illegal for tourists.
Lake Haramaya
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
Taxi north, 70 km (43 mi)Taxi north, 43 mi (70 km)
Roads can be rough; go with a guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Harar Guest House
Inside Harar Gate, basic rooms, hot water not guaranteed
Wonderland Hotel
Near eastern hyena site, running water, breakfast included
Sherif Guest House
Cozy, clean, close to eastern gate
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ETB 3,500–5,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ETB 5,500–8,000 excl. bed
- High
- ETB 8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room2 × 2 nights × ETB 2,500 | ETB 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ETB 5,500 | ETB 22,000 |
| Selam Bus from Addis (one way)2 × ETB 300 · check | ETB 600 |
| Hyena feeding entry2 × ETB 500 · 2025 price | ETB 1,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ETB 2,500 · check | ETB 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ETB 3,860 |
| Trip total≈ ETB 10,620 per person per day, bed included | ETB 42,460 |
Basic rooms, shared bathroom
2026 estimate in birr; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at bunna bet | ETB 30–50 |
| Hyena feeding (tourist fee) | ETB 500 |
| Minibus from Addis (Selam Bus)11 h journey | ETB 300 (check) |
| Taxi from Dire Dawa to Harar | ETB 5,000–5,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check bus fares at checkpoints – overcharging is common.
- Hot water and running water are unreliable in many guest houses.
- Nighttime security can be spotty; keep valuables close.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Pocket card
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Hararሐረር
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ወደዚህ አድራሻ እባክዎትTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police991
- Ambulance907
- Fire939
Embassy
US consulate in Addis Ababa (check address); other embassies in Addis.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dire Dawa → Harar (taxi): about ETB 5,200, 1 h (check)
- Selam Bus Addis → Harar (one way): ETB 300, 11 h (check)
Say or show
- selam — Hello (selam)
- እንደምን ዋጋ ነው? — How much? (əndämən waga nəw?)
- አመሰግናለሁ — Thank you (amäsäggənallo)
- ባስ ጣቢያ የት ነው? — Where is the bus station? (bas tabiya yet nəw?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Harar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a 1‑night stay in Dire Dawa for better hotel options.
- Include a guided tour of the 99 mosques for deeper context.
Sources
Ask about Harar
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