Popular Airport | Jose Marti Intl. Airport |
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Popular Airlines | |
Approximate Flight Duration | 15 hour 50 min |
Approximate Travel Distance | 12682 Km |
The airport, which is approximately 6 kilometers of the city center, is located on Bole Road. In the city where public transportation is not very developed, you can use minibuses to reach the airport. Taxi is another transportation alternative that is frequently preferred by visitors. In addition to these, you can get to the airport from the city center by renting a car or by benefitting from the airport shuttle service in case your hotel offers this service.
You can reach the airport by getting on a minibus from the minibus stops located in the city center. Minibuses generally carry passengers to the airport from 5:30 am to 09:00 pm. Although it is relatively cheaper compared to taxi, you should remember that drivers may demand higher amounts from tourists. The fare is about 5 Birr. They may also charge extra amount for each baggage.
Hotel shuttle service is the most comfortable alternative for your travel to the airport. In Addis Ababa city center, there are both small hotels and accommodation centers of chain hotels such as Hilton, Radisson and Sheraton. Some of these hotels offer airport shuttle service. If your hotel offers this service and you want to benefit from this service for your travel to the airport, you should definitely make a reservation in advance.
There are two types of taxis that you can get on to reach the airport. Mercedes taxis of the National Tour Operator (NTO) operate under a company and offer service with more comfortable vehicles. With their predetermined tariffs, they create a more reliable image in terms of the fares. You can ask your hotel to call a NTO taxi for you.
There is no taximeter in the taxis operating in Addis Ababa, so it is advised to agree on the fare before getting on. These yellow taxis are approximately 10 times more expensive than blue-white taxis. You can also reach the airport in a short time with a blue-white taxi which you can find in the city center or waiting in front of hotels. The average fare is between 80 and 100 Birr. The owners of these taxis aren’t companies but individuals. Since there is also no taximeter in blue-white taxis and fares are not standardized by a company, they are more flexible in terms of fares and you should definitely bargain.
You can rent a car from one of the car rental companies that you can find in the city center or from the offices of tour operators. You can also get help from your hotel about renting a car.
Since some roads in Addis Ababa have no name, there isn’t sufficient number of traffic signs throughout the city and there is no traffic light on many roundabouts, traffic flow isn’t in order. For this reason, renting a car during your visit may not be a good option. If you want to rent a car only for travelling to the airport from the city center, you should prefer a company which has an office at the airport.
In order to get to the airport with the car you have rented, connect to Bole Road in the city center, drive southeastward and follow the airport signs.
There are 2 terminals at the airport. Terminal 1, which offers service for domestic flights, is located in the old building. Terminal 2 offers service for international passenger transportation in the new building.
At Bole International Airport, there are many restaurants and cafes in addition to stores and a duty-free shop where you can do some shopping before your flight.
At the airport, there is also a lounge for passengers looking for a comfortable environment and a much larger lounge is now being constructed. Although there is no left luggage service at the airport, you can find other standard airport services such as pharmacy, currency exchange office and ATM.
Transportation is provided by taxi, bus, and trains in Havana, which is Cuba's window to the word, the country which had long been a closed book. Unfortunately, those transportation vehicles cannot promise comfort because they fall behind modern technology. The trains that serve with 12 lines in the city center are the most basic means of transportation in Havana.
Once you arrive in the city, you can see that smoke of exhaust and cigarette and the noise are surprisingly much. Havana promises you a unique experience with its colorful buildings lined on its streets, street artists performing music and the world-renowned cigars. Jose Marti Airport, which serves international flights, is located in an area that can be considered as the center of Havana. It is possible to reach the city center by bus and train from the airport which is 14 kilometers away from the center.
Those who want a more comfortable and practical journey can take advantage of transfer vehicles, car rental or taxi options.
You can prefer to go to the city center by taxi alone in Havana, as well as you can take a taxi together with some of other tourists to travel at more affordable prices. Taxis in Havana differ compared to the usual taxis in other countries.
You can feel yourself as if you are making a historic journey thanks to the old models from 70s and 80s. These taxis provide a very enjoyable journey, even if they are far from being comfortable. You can get to the city center from the airport in about 20 or 30 minutes by taking a taxi.
If you want to travel by bus to reach the city center, you should be ready for a tiresome journey. Although there is no bus stop at Terminal 3, which serves international flights, small buses that can be called minibuses serve for transportation purposes at Terminal 1. There are free transfer buses at the airport to travel between these two terminals.
Since the bus fare payments are made in Peso in Cuba, you are strongly advised to change sufficient amount of money into Peso before you leave the terminal building. It takes about one hour to reach the city center by taking the advantage of bus option.
You can also prefer to get to the city center by the trains departing from Terminal 1 building of the airport. Considering that Terminal 3 serves only international passengers, it would be a good idea to take advantage of free transfer buses at the airport to reach Terminal 1.
Train line 2 runs between the city center and Bejuca. If you take this train at the airport, you need to pass 14 stations until you get to the city center. This journey takes about 40 minutes because the trains are slower than metro lines.
Before heading out to Havana, you can contact the hotel you are going to stay or one of the transfer companies in the city and you can take advantage of a comfortable transfer vehicle for your journey from the airport for a certain amount of fee. Although this way of transportation is more costly compared to taking a taxi, it promises you a more comfortable journey.
You can also get to the city center by car you can rent from the offices of the car rental companies in the parking areas outside the airport. Cubacar, Rex, Havanautos and Via Transgaviota are among the companies you can get this service. The offices of these companies are right outside Terminal 3 building, which serves international flights. Sometimes it may be difficult to find a rental car because of the high demand during dense seasons.