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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (heavy rain, muddy access)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ETB
- Money
- Currency 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.
- Daily spend
- Budget ETB 500–1,000 (day trip from Addis) · Mid ETB 1,000–2,000 (with private driver) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Ethio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia both sell SIMs at Bole arrivals and shops with passport registration; a few GB costs a few dollars.
- Emergency
- Police 991 · Ambulance 907 · Fire 939
- Plugs
- Types C, E, F, L · 220 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin European plugs fit most sockets; power cuts happen — carry a power bank.
- Tipping
- Local restaurant: Round up.; Tourist restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge.; Guide day: US$10–20 per group.; Driver day: US$5–10 per group.; Park scout: US$5 a day.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Bottled water everywhere; many lodges refill bottles.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets or none at all on the road. Carry paper and hand gel.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus Addis–Tiya (one way) | ETB 150 |
| Private car Addis–Tiya (full day) | 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 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ADD · Addis Ababa Bole International
- About 90 km (56 mi) north; the only practical airport for TiyaAbout 56 mi (90 km) north; the only practical airport for Tiya
Typical fares
- Bus Addis Mercato → Tiya
- about ETB 150, leaves before 9 am (check)
- Private car Addis → Tiya (full day)
- ETB 2,500–6,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The archaeological site is about 500 m from the village centre — walkable. No local public transport within Tiya.
See and do
Known for
- Tiya standing stones (UNESCO)
- Prehistoric stelae field
- Engraved monoliths
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Addis Ababa | Private car or bus from Tiya to Addis (about 2 h) | About 2 h |
| Lake Langano | Continue south on the main road, about 1 h by car | About 1 h |
| Melka Awash | About 30 km (19 mi) north, on the road to AddisAbout 19 mi (30 km) north, on the road to Addis | About 30 min |
Sleep
- Tiya town centre
- A few cheap hotels; basic, no frills. Most visitors stay in Addis Ababa or at a Rift Valley lodge.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | ሰላምselam |
| Thank you | አመሰግናለሁameseginalehu |
| How much? | ስንት ነው?sint new? |
| Where is the stelae field? | የቲያ ድንጋይ ቦታ የት ነው?ye Tiya dingay bota yet new? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake with a shoulder bump among men; bow slightly to elders; avoid: Rushing past greetings
- Eating: Right hand only, from your side of the injera; avoid: Left-hand eating or licking fingers loudly
- Churches: Shoes off, head covered (women), quiet voice; avoid: Entering during services without being invited
- Coffee: Stay for three rounds if you can; avoid: Refusing flatly
- Photos: Ask, and agree a fee in the Omo; avoid: Photographing soldiers, police or checkpoints
- Talk: Ask about coffee, running, food and faith; avoid: Ethnic politics and the wars
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Tiya is safe for daytime visits. The main risks are the unpaved path to the site (muddy after rain) and the lack of services. Keep valuables out of sight.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tiya yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tiya standing stones (UNESCO)
- Prehistoric stelae field
- Engraved monoliths
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- UNESCO — Tiya: whc.unesco.org/en/list/12
- Wikivoyage: Tiya, revision 4127156 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4127156
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/tiya). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.