Major city · Ethiopia
Tiya
Half a day: see the 36 standing stones of the UNESCO site, then continue to Langano or back to Addis Ababa. Not an overnight stop.
Tiya is a small town in central Ethiopia, about 90 km south of Addis Ababa, known for its prehistoric standing stones — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. The site has 36 engraved stelae, some over 2 m tall, whose exact age and meaning are still debated. The town itself has little else, making it a half-day trip from Addis or a brief stop en route to Lake Langano or the Rift Valley.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ETB
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, muddy access)
- Airport
- ADD
- Nights
- 0
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 Tiya991 ▾
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 Tiya, 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
- SafetyTiya is safe for daytime visits.
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 Addis Ababa Bole International (About 90 km (56 mi) north; the only practical airport for Tiya).ADD Addis Ababa Bole International (About 56 mi (90 km) north; the only practical airport for Tiya).
- Getting aroundThe archaeological site is about 500 m from the village centre — walkable.
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 Addis Ababa Bole International (About 90 km (56 mi) north; the only practical airport for Tiya)ADD Addis Ababa Bole International (About 56 mi (90 km) north; the only practical airport for Tiya)
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
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. 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 (16 rain days), driest Dec (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tiya: 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
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)
4 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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
The archaeological site is about 500 m from the village centre — walkable. No local public transport within Tiya.
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: About 2 h
Private car or bus from Tiya to Addis (about 2 h)
Return to Addis after visiting the stones.
Lake Langano
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Continue south on the main road, about 1 h by car
Popular Rift Valley lake for swimming and birdwatching.
Melka Awash
goDoor to door: About 30 min
About 30 km (19 mi) north, on the road to AddisAbout 19 mi (30 km) north, on the road to Addis
Prehistoric site with stone tools and fossils.
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.
Tiya town centre
A few cheap hotels; basic, no frills. Most visitors stay in Addis Ababa or at a Rift Valley lodge.
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 500–1,000 (day trip from Addis)
- Mid
- ETB 1,000–2,000 (with private driver)
Trip budget
| Day trip from Addis (no overnight)2 × 1 night × ETB 0 | ETB 0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ETB 1,500 | ETB 3,000 |
| Private car and driver from Addis (full day)1 × ETB 4,000 · check | ETB 4,000 |
| Bus from Addis Mercato (one way)2 × ETB 150 · check | ETB 300 |
| Guide tip at the site2 × ETB 100 | ETB 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ETB 750 |
| Trip total≈ ETB 4,125 per person per day, bed included | ETB 8,250 |
No accommodation needed
2026 estimate in birr; day trip from Addis. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Addis–Tiya (one way)check | ETB 150 |
| Private car Addis–Tiya (full day)check | ETB 2,500–6,000 |
| Guide tip | ETB 50–100 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | ETB 30–50 |
| Simple meal in Tiya | ETB 100–200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in Tiya; bring enough birr from Addis.
- Guides at the site expect a small tip (50–100 birr).
- The site is unfenced and open; no shelter from sun or rain.
- Public bus from Addis leaves before 9 am from Mercato — arrive early.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TiyaTiya
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ወደ ቲያ እባክህTo Tiya, please
Emergency
- Police991
- Ambulance907
- Fire939
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Addis Mercato → Tiya: about ETB 150, leaves before 9 am (check)
- Private car Addis → Tiya (full day): ETB 2,500–6,000 (check)
Say or show
- ሰላም — Hello (selam)
- አመሰግናለሁ — Thank you (ameseginalehu)
- ስንት ነው? — How much? (sint new?)
- የቲያ ድንጋይ ቦታ የት ነው? — Where is the stelae field? (ye Tiya dingay bota yet new?)
No embassy in Tiya; the nearest is in Addis Ababa.
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 Tiya. 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–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, muddy access) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialUNESCO — Tiya
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tiya, revision 4127156 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Tiya
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