Major city · Ethiopia
Bishoftuደብረ ዘይት
Half-day trip from Addis Ababa: visit a crater lake, have lunch and return. Not worth a night unless you want a quiet resort stay.
Bishoftu, also called Debre Zeyit, is a resort town 50 km southeast of Addis Ababa, known for five crater lakes, waterbirds and weekend getaways. It works as a short escape from the capital — swim or boat on Lake Hora, eat fresh fish, and be back in Addis by evening. The town has no major sight that demands a full day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ETB
- Best months
- Oct–May
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain)
- Airport
- ADD
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
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 Bishoftu991 ▾
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 Bishoftu, 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
- SafetyBishoftu is generally safe for tourists.
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.
- AirportADD Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) (About 1 h by road from Bishoftu, depending on traffic).
- Getting aroundMinibuses and bajaj (three-wheelers) cover the town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (buna)ETB 15–30
- Metro or bus rideBus to Addis (one way)ETB 100–200
- Budget bedGuesthouse single room, a night, per roomETB 800
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse single room, a night, per roomETB 1,500
- High-end bedGuesthouse single room, a night, per roomETB 3,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ETB 2,000 · Mid ETB 4,000 · High ETB 8,000
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
- ADD Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) (About 1 h by road from Bishoftu, depending on traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Oct–May. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Nov (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Dec (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bishoftu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
14 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
20 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
20 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°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
Minibuses and bajaj (three-wheelers) cover the town. Walking between the lakes is possible but hilly; a bajaj ride costs about 20–50 birr.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus or minibus from Bishoftu main road; about 1 h
Return to the capital for museums, markets and flights.
Door to door: 45 min–1 h
Bus or minibus along the highway, about 45 min
Larger city with hotels and restaurants; a common stop on the Addis–Dire Dawa route.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus or minibus via Adama, about 1.5 h
Lakeside town with birdlife; better as a stop on the way south.
Awash National Park
cautionDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus or private car via Adama, about 2.5 h
Volcanic landscapes and wildlife; requires a full day and a car.
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.
Main road (Bishoftu–Adama highway)
Most hotels and guesthouses; convenient for buses and taxis.
Bishoftu Lake rim
Resorts with lake views; quieter but requires a car or taxi.
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 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ETB 2,500–5,000 excl. bed
- High
- ETB 5,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × ETB 4,000 | ETB 4,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ETB 4,000 | ETB 8,000 |
| Bus from Addis (Kality), one way2 × ETB 150 · check | ETB 300 |
| Bajaj ride within town, one way2 × ETB 50 | ETB 100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ETB 500 | ETB 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ETB 1,340 |
| Trip total≈ ETB 7,370 per person per day, bed included | ETB 14,740 |
2026 estimate in Ethiopian birr; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (buna) | ETB 15–30 |
| Injera with meat or vegetables | ETB 100–250 |
| Fresh fish (tilapia) at a lakeside restaurant | ETB 200–400 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | ETB 20–30 |
| Bajaj ride (short trip) | ETB 20–50 |
| Bus to Addis (one way) | ETB 100–200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lake swimming: check local advice — some lakes have bilharzia risk.
- Buses from Addis leave from Kality bus station, which is 10 km (6.2 mi) south of downtown Addis; ask your hotel for a closer terminal.Buses from Addis leave from Kality bus station, which is 6.2 mi (10 km) south of downtown Addis; ask your hotel for a closer terminal.
- The train to Djibouti runs only every 4 days; not practical for a day trip.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Bishoftuደብረ ዘይት
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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እባክዎ ወደዚህ አድራሻTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police991
- Ambulance907
- Fire939
Embassy
Most embassies are in Addis Ababa; the US Embassy is about 1 h away by road.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Addis (Kality) → Bishoftu: about ETB 150, about 1 h (check)
- Bajaj within town: ETB 20–50
- Taxi Bishoftu → Addis Bole Airport: ETB 1,500–2,500 (check)
Say or show
- ሰላም — Hello (selam)
- አመሰግናለሁ — Thank you (ameseginalehu)
- ስንት ነው? — How much? (sint new?)
- ሐይቁ የት ነው? — Where is the lake? (hayku yet new?)
- ዓሣ እፈልጋለሁ — I would like fish (asa efeligalehu)
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 Bishoftu. 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–May · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Lake Hora watersports and festival dates verified.
- Resort contact details and seasonal closure checks.
- Bus frequency from Addis terminals confirmed.
Sources
Ask about Bishoftu
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