The fun of winter holiday travel between the US and India is an international stopover that may turn into a one-day vacation or a half-day city sightseeing tour for free or less. One such relaxing experience for transit passengers is Ethiopian Airlines stopover program in Addis Ababa. Interestingly, the program is free (sans Ethiopian tour packages) for both Indians and US citizens given one condition – a layover of 8 to 24 hours in the itinerary.
How to book Ethiopian Airlines Flights with Free Stopover
Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans, makes it a lot easier to book Ethiopian Airlines flights between USA and India with a significant layover that makes you eligible for a free stopover in Addis Ababa. Call us at +1800-615-3969 for phone-only budget flight deals from our partner – Ethiopian Airlines, and our experts will help you with suitable itineraries. If you plan to explore the history and culture of Addis Ababa during a layover of 15 to 24 hours, our experts will help you book a multi-city itinerary at the best price.
Ethiopian Airlines Free Stopover Program Overview
The stopover program in Addis Ababa for international passengers of Ethiopian Airlines flights is more or less similar to the Middle East airlines’ stopovers. Ethiopian Airlines’ US-India itineraries with a layover of 8 hours or more, and multicity flights with a layover of 8-24 hours are eligible for the Addis Ababa stopover with free hotel stay. Interestingly, you don’t need to book the stopover program separately or along with your travel between USA and India via Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Airlines stopover program does not include any sightseeing tours in and around the capital city. Depending on the duration of your layover at ADD Bole International Airport, you can choose from the paid sightseeing and activity packages from Ethiopian Holidays, the tourism wing of the airline. The packages are categorized as historical tours, excursion tours, cultural tours, festival tours, leisure tours, and Addis Ababa City tours.
You can visit the website of Ethiopian Holidays or call Indian Eagle customer service for booking a city sightseeing or activity package that best caters to your interest – “exploring the rich history, immersing in the vibrant cultures, enjoying breathtaking treks, or unwinding in serene retreats.” The best thing is that you may get Ethiopian Airlines’ free stopover hotel voucher irrespective of whether you buy a sightseeing tour or activity package.
Ethiopian Airlines Stopover Program Benefits
Complimentary one-night hotel stay, free meal vouchers, and a free transit visa are included in flight tickets of Ethiopian Airlines for the itineraries eligible for a stopover in Addis Ababa. The hotel category and the number of meal vouchers depend on your travel class. Ethiopian Airlines’ premium guests with first or business class flight tickets, receive free accommodation at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, a luxurious 5-star property within short walking distance from Terminal 2 of Addis Ababa International Airport.
Economy travelers receive free stopover hotel vouchers for accommodation outside the airport. Free shuttle to and from the airport is also provided to them. This makes it comfortable and stress-free to spend a layover, 8 to 24 hours, outside the airport.
How to Get Ethiopian Airlines’ Free Hotel, Meal Vouchers
Ethiopian Airlines’ airport check-in counters in India and the US issue free stopover hotel and meal vouchers to eligible passengers. You can simply walk to the airline counter at the departure airport in USA or India with your international flight tickets or boarding pass and ask for the vouchers of Ethiopian Airlines stopover program in Addis Ababa. If not available at the departure airport, you can easily collect them from the Transit Desk before immigration at Addis Ababa Bole Airport.
Once verified, you will receive a printed hotel voucher, a transit visa, meal vouchers, and shuttle details to your assigned hotel. Keep the vouchers safe as they are necessary to access Ethiopian Airlines’ free stopover services.
Visa Requirement for Ethiopian Airlines Stopover in Addis Ababa
Since free transit visa to Addis Ababa is part of Ethiopian Airlines’ stopover program, you don’t need to worry about the visa requirement. Though both Indians and US nationals are eligible for visa on arrival or Ethiopia’s e-Visa (paid), they may not need a separate visa for the stopover. The free transit visa on arrival at Addis Ababa International Airport is valid for up to 24 hours from the time of issuance. It allows you to get through immigration, exit the terminal, and check in at the stopover hotel.
