Addis Ababa to Riyadh Emirates Flights

  About Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and is one of the most important cities in Africa. It is also the largest city in Ethiopia. The city is also considered as the political capital of Africa since it houses the headquarters of the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. It is situated in the foothills of Entoto Mountains and is one of the five highest capital cities of the world. Ethiopia is known for producing the best coffee in the world, and there's nothing better than actually flying to the country to try some. The city has a rich economic, scientific and political history and several museums that showcase these findings. In fact, you will also come across a museum that solely focuses on telling people how politics can make bad history. Not to mention, it is also a great place to go on a shopping spree for Ethiopian products, lots of coffee grounds and souvenirs. While Addis Ababa is not a popular vacation destination, a lot of travellers usually explore the city when they have a long layover. If you do not have any time constraints as such, you can definitely explore the city and be amazed at how it has progressed.

Best Time to Visit Addis Ababa

Ethiopia is called the Cradle of Mankind and is one of the best places to visit in Africa. January to March is a high season in Ethiopia. The temperature ranges from 10 to 24 degree Celsius with slight rainfalls. It doesn't rain as much in Addis Ababa, but it does in the other cities. Summer is the perfect time for you to spot wildlife like giraffes, wolves and ibex. You can also attend events like Timkat and Leddet in summer. Hiking in the Bale or Simien mountains is one of the only things that you will not be allowed to do in summer. Since this is high season, make sure you book your flight tickets to Addis Ababa in advance and book your hotels in Addis Ababa several weeks in advance. The prices begin to surge since the city welcomes a lot of tourists in this season.

April to September is a low tourist season in Addis Ababa since this is when the monsoon begins. The city can get pretty hot, sticky and uncomfortable in monsoon. While you might get cheap flight tickets to Addis Ababa in monsoon owing to the dip in tourism, it is best to postpone your trip. However, if you still visit the city in monsoon, you will be allowed to go sightseeing at certain parks like the Omo and Mago Valley, but the major attractions remain shut. The temperature ranges from 12 to 25 degree Celsius during summer. October to December is also summer in Addis Ababa, and the temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degree Celsius. However, it is still a shoulder season in the city where only a few tourists will be seen. The weather remains cooler as compared to the high season. October to December is also an ideal time to go hiking in the Simien mountains. You might come across some excellent flight deals to Addis Ababa online during the shoulder season. If you plan to visit any time between October and December, ensure that you make the most of this deal. You will also get great discounts at the hotel you will be staying in, or maybe you pick one that comes with a lot of offers.

Places to Visit in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa has a lot of museums that narrate the sad story of its past. The 'Red Terror' Martyrs Memorial Museum is one of those museums that will shake you. It recalls the terrible incidents that have taken place in the city and give you a perspective in life. The National Museum is yet another popular tourist attraction that you can visit. St George Cathedral and Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral are few of the other popular spots in the city that you cannot miss. Head over to Merkato if you want to go on a shopping spree. Fair warning: It will be crowded so be prepared for it. You can also visit the Lion of Judah Monument that holds a lot of significant positions in the city. The Derg Monument is a reminder to the people of Addis Ababa about the pain and struggles that they went through during the communist rule. You can also roam around the Addis Ababa University and be amazed at the beautiful campus. You can also climb up the Entoto Mountain and catch the panoramic view of the city from up here. It can get pretty overwhelming. However, make sure that you are hiking up the hill during the right season. It is not safe to hike in the mountains during monsoon. You can also visit the Addis Ababa Museum, which was founded in 1986. The city has a lot of museums and historical landmarks that you cannot miss.

Things to do in Addis Ababa

You can catch the magnificent view of the entire city from Mount Entoto. Hiking in the forest of Eucalyptus trees sure does count as quite an adventure. You can also sign for a sightseeing tour covering all the museums in the city. Mercato is Africa's biggest open-air market, and you will buy everything from handmade baskets to spices at the market. It also has a separate section where shopkeepers sell second-hand items. Head over to Tomoca Coffee for the most refreshing cup of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee in different flavours. You can also order for Macchiato, which is equally excellent. The Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum is a great place to learn more about Ethiopia's tragic past. If you want to go on a shopping spree for traditional clothes, you can try the Shiro Meda; it is near the US Embassy in Addis Ababa. The restaurants in the city have a very active dance and music scene along with delicious food. Make sure you do try some of that. You can also check out the statue of Emperor Menelik II, who was the founder of Addis Ababa.

Lagar Railway Station is yet another tourist attraction that you cannot miss. It is the first-ever railway station in the city, and its unique architecture is what makes it special. Medhane Alem Church at Bole District is one of the biggest Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Churches, and it is breathtakingly beautiful. Head over to check out the Tiglachin (Dreg) Monument, which stands as a reminder that Ethiopia was victorious over all of its invaders. You can also sign up for a food tour in the city and get to know more about the culinary speciality here.

Food and Restaurants in Addis Ababa

Ethiopian food is known for being spicy, and while it may not be as popular as European or Asian food worldwide, it is worth trying. If you are new to Ethiopian food, your first experience will be out of this world. Addis Ababa has a lot of restaurants that serve traditional Ethiopian food with music and dance. They also have a lot of restaurants that serve other cuisines from all over the world and cannot be missed. Totot is a restaurant that specialises in Ethiopian cuisine. Make sure you order the Kitfo here that melts in your mouth and is quite spicy. The restaurant is packed on weekends so make sure you reach the restaurant early, so you don't have to wait for a long time. Yod Abyssinia is yet another restaurant that reflects the country's food, dance and music culture. The decor of the place is unique, and it is also quite close to the airport. You can order the tibs, Shiro and Doro wat here along with kitfo. The Addis Ababa restaurant in Arada can be a little difficult to find, but it is completely worth it. A lot of locals believe that the food here tastes like homemade food.

How to reach Addis Ababa (Transportation)

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is about 6 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Addis Ababa from India is excellent. Ethiopian Airlines has direct flights to Addis Ababa from India. Egyptair, Kenya Airways and Emirates Airline also have flights to Addis Ababa with layovers at Cairo, Nairobi and Dubai. It might be difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Addis Ababa if you book at the last moment. If you book several weeks in advance, you might get exciting flight deals to Addis Ababa online that are worth exploring. It is quite convenient to get a cab or car rental service from the airport to your hotel. However, it is advisable to pre-book your cab online. You can also opt for an airport shuttle service that your hotel might offer. The airport also has premium lounges, restrooms and a lot of other services for the convenience of the passengers. The airport opened its first business class lounge in 2012, and they are also planning to add spas and another lounge soon.

  About Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital of the desert country of Saudi Arabia. It is the financial hub of the city and has been recognised to play a pivotal role in contributing to the country's economy. The city is also famous for its religious heritage.

Best time to visit Riyadh

For a desert city, the only time that would be pleasant is during the winters. Riyadh too enjoys pleasant winters as it welcomes a quaint and cool air. Winter months in Riyadh are from November to March. However, it is from December to February that the city enjoys the best winter breeze and cool air. The temperatures during winters range from 9 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius. As the temperature is capable of dropping to such lows, it is best to pack appropriate clothes for the trip. The days might not be as cold as the nights, but they will have brisk winter wind passing through the city streets. A light jacket is recommended when planning for a vacation in Riyadh during winters. The season does see a peak in tourists too as it is one of the most favourable weathers for Riyadh. The city is packed with tourists who wish to explore the desert capital of Saudi Arabia. Hence, the hotel prices also skyrocket during this time. It would be difficult for you even to get reservations at restaurants owing to the excess crowd in the city.

You will be amazed by how the city has very favourable winter temperatures in contrast to their unbearable summers. As Riyadh is quite close to the Tropic of Cancer, much of the temperature is hot and dry. Add the desert fact and the summers can be next to impossible to deal with. The temperatures during summer cross 44 degree Celsius. You will not be able to step out in the city as the summer heat would lead to health perils. From dehydration to heat strokes, your body might be susceptible to such health concerns during summer. Avoid summers at all cost. Even though the hotel and other prices in the city drop during the offseason, the heat is not worth it. The summers are from late March to October. Interestingly, the city does witness thunderstorms and monsoon between May to September. The storms are not ideal for engaging in tourist activities. Out of these months, April and October are the only favourable ones when you can enjoy the cool breeze of the desert without having to spend exorbitantly on the hotel and other services.

Places to visit in Riyadh

Center Point is a colossal skyscraper that is located in Riyadh. It is the fifth tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia while being the third-towering building with a void, after the Shanghai World Financial Centre and 85 Sky Tower in Taiwan. The second famous tourist attraction is the Masmak Fortress. The structure is created by clay and mud-brick. It once played a pivotal role in safeguarding the city of Riyadh from attacks. You should also visit the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, which is basically the National Museum of the country. It is the largest in Saudi Arabia and was established back in 1999. Not just the exhibits within the museum premise but even the architecture of the building is quite exquisite. The Riyadh Zoo is also recognised in the neighbourhood for inhabiting a slew of desert animals, including desert elephants and tigers. The setting has a very cool vibe with brown structures and green lawns. Adding to your historical excursion would be to visit the Murabba Historical Palace. It is a historic building and has been strategically built.

Things to do in Riyadh

Riyadh has a handful of things that can be done in the city. Indulging in some fun sheesha bar scenes and nightlife is something the city raves. Riyadh does have some of the finest restaurants and food establishments. You can actually make reservations for some luxe restaurants and indulge in their fusion food and international cuisine. You can further engage in some shopping too as the city does have a plethora of options available. Aside from this, you can enjoy a walk in Salam Park. It has an artificial waterbody built within the park to give it a serene vibe. Visiting the Wadi Hanifah valley would also be quite a treat. You can actually dip your feed in the waterbody that flows in the valley. Many people flock over to this spot to get some impeccable social media-worthy pictures. To add to your delight, you can further explore the cuisine and authentic Arab food that you'll find in the Najd region's village. Al Hokair Land is also an option that you can check out in Riyadh. It is basically a fun amusement park that has rides and make-believe castles.

Food and restaurants in Riyadh

Once known to be a barren desert with nothing interesting to do, Riyadh has now managed to transform into a thriving capital city of Saudi Arabia. The city has managed to bring forth a new image, that of a flourishing city which has equal tourist opportunities as its other Middle East counterparts. Over the years, Riyadh's food culture has seen a tremendous change from being traditionally strict to Western. It has acquired the taste of Western food culture and has incorporated the same in its own streets. There are many authentic Arabic food establishments. Simultaneously, the city also has room for international cuisine with many Asian, Mediterranean and European cuisine. To start your Riyadh rendezvous, you should visit The Globe. It is the most famous and expensive establishment that caters to an exclusive fine-dining experience. It is nestled atop the Al Faisaliah Tower and overlooks the exquisite city. The place serves a lovely melange of European and Arab dishes. However, it is their High Tea that attracts the most attention.

Elements, which is associated with Four Seasons chain of hotels, is a perfect place to indulge in breakfast and brunch meals. The place has dedicated cuisine for each day. Spazio, in Riyadh, has a fan in the royal family. Prince Waleed bin Tala has a soft spot for Spazio, and once you visit the Italian setting with its fancy art deco, you will realise why the place is so good. To get to the roots of the traditional Saudi dishes, you should head to Najd Village. Prevalent in the food industry since 1996, the establishment offers authentic Saudi meals such as moqalqal (a peppered lamb dish) and matazzez (Saudi dumplings). The place also offers vegetarian food as well as caters to the meat-loving crowd. The area can accommodate up to 1000 guests and offer exemplary services. Do not miss Set Al Sham too. The place is well-known in Riyadh for its slew of dishes inspired by the Syrian, Egyptian and Lebanese cuisine. The decor is also quite fancy while the buffet spread is perfect if you wish to go back with a full tummy and a happy soul.

How to reach Riyadh

Flight connectivity to Riyadh from India is quite good. Much of the Middle Eastern countries are well-connected with Indian cities. Riyadh too, has good connectivity with Indian cities such as Mumbai, Kochi, Goa, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, to name a few. Delhi is probably the only city in India with nonstop direct flights to Riyadh. Most of the other cities have flight layovers before reaching Riyadh. Airlines such as Srilankan, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Emirates, Oman Air, Saudia, IndiGo, have excellent flight connectivity to Riyadh. These airlines ensure to keep dedicated flights flying to Riyadh. The most popular routes often picked to reach Riyadh are from Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi. As for other international routes to Riyadh, they are connected by Middle Eastern cities such as Sharjah, Bahrain, Muscat, to name a few. International cities such as Cairo and Colombo also have flight connectivity to Riyadh. The layovers do take some time and extend the flight duration to Riyadh. Ideally, you can reach Riyadh in approximately six hours and ten minutes.

Flight tickets to Riyadh are comparatively pricey than its other Middle-Eastern counterparts. The ticket prices to Riyadh range from INR 24,000 to INR 30,000. This could be steep if you look at the ticket prices of other Middle-East cities. However, depending on where you get your flight from in India as well as the airlines you choose, the ticket prices could vary. Riyadh is also a popular city and much-visited by the Indian crowd. Hence, you can make your flight bookings to Riyadh online and even earn some discounts or cheap deals. It is essential that you first check which season you are booking your ticket for. That factors a major chunk of your flight ticket price to Riyadh. Depending on the same, you will be able to further receive more online flight deals and discounts to Riyadh. It is recommended that you book your flight tickets and make hotel reservations to Riyadh together. When you combine the two bookings, you might receive some good online flight and hotel deals to Riyadh. This would also enable you to bring down the cost of your trip.

  About Emirates Airlines

Emirates, based in Garhoud, Dubai, is a state-owned carrier airline of United Arab Emirates. It is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group, wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. Emirates is undoubtedly the largest airline in the Middle East which has operations of more than 3,600 flights in a week from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, the hub of the airlines. It connects to over 150 international cities spread across 80 countries and has flights to six continents. With a fleet carrying about 300 aircraft along with cargo activities that fall under Emirates SkyCargo, it easily becomes one of the biggest and important airlines in the world.

The airline came into existence in 1985 after Gulf Air decreased the flight services to Dubai. Emirates was originally backed by Dubai's royal family as well as two flight services from Pakistan International Airlines on wet-lease. The start-up capital of the airlines was $10 million and operated independently from the government. Further on this, Pakistan International Airlines also enabled training services to help Emirates' cabin crew. The following years saw some tremendous expansion and put Emirates on the map of the top airlines in the world. This has been possible thanks to the leadership of their current chairman, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The airlines have managed to expand their fleet size as well as the number of destinations.

Dubai International Airport even constructed a new terminal building dedicated to Emirates in 2008. All operations concerning the airport have since been moved to Terminal 3 of the airport. Emirates currently operates a mixed fleet which includes Boeing wide-body aircraft along with Airbus among them. It has been recorded that Emirates is the largest operator of Airbus A380, as of 2019, with about 115 aircraft service. The airlines plan to add eight more to its fleet. Ever since the introduction of Airbus A380, it has become an indispensable part of the Emirates fleet. It is perfect for long-haul international routes. Along with Airbus A380, Emirates is also known to be the largest operator of Boeing 777 in the world with 144 aircraft functioning from under the airlines.

Fleet size of Emirates

The fleet size of Emirates currently stands at 259 aircraft. The airline is the only one in the world to operate the largest fleet of massive aircraft, Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. The two aircraft are known for their gigantic sizes. Along with the two major aircraft, Emirates also accommodates A319, which flies as an executive jet. Since 1995, the airlines have not accommodated single-aisle aircraft as part of its mainline fleet.

Back in February 2019, Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to add 40 A330-900s and 30 A350-900s to their fleet. Simultaneously, they also plan to reduce the total number of Airbus A380 aircraft to 123. Post this, Airbus plans to cease production for A380. However, the same year, the airlines announced to order 50 instead of 30 A350-900s for a sum of USD16 billion. In the same year, Emirates also ordered 30 787-9s which values at USD8.8 billion. Deliveries of the same will commence in 2023 as the fleet further plans to reduce the order of 777Xs from a total of 150 to 126.

The livery on all Emirates flights features the flag of United Arab Emirates painted on the vertical stabilizer along with a white fuselage and the word Emirates etched in golden. The same design was introduced in 1999 and was first featured on the Boeing 777-300 as well as on all the Airbus A330 aircraft. The complete repainting of the fleet to the said design happened in 2005. An Arabic version of Emirates is also painted on the livery but has been etched in a smaller size.

Inflight services

First-class cabin services - In the first-class cabin, it has been segregated into two types of seating, one that is fully enclosed suite with a floor door extended to the ceiling and the second, also with doors but not the kind that extends up to the ceiling. The suite ensures complete privacy with in-flight services such as a coat rack, mini-bar and ample storage space. An ICE entertainment system has also been installed with a 23-inch wide LCD screen. The seat can be converted into a fully flat bed too. Interestingly, Emirates' in-flight services for first-class and business-class cabins also include lounge areas with a bar, shower-equipped lavatories and a spa. A 13-inch tablet to communicate with the cabin crew or call for room service is also available to upscale the first-class scenes for travellers.

Business-class cabin services - Emirates' in-flight services for business class cabins include a 2-meter long recliner that stretches up to 79 inches lie-flat bed. Some of the amenities present in the cabin include partitions for privacy, a winged headrest that has a six-way movement, individual reading lights, in-seat power supply, RCA socket to connect laptops and ICE entertainment system, to name a few. Business-class cabins of Airbus A380-800 aircraft accommodates flat-beds and personal mini-bars. However, due to the awkward layout of the cabin, some of the beds stretch only up to 70 inches instead of 79. Business-class travellers are also given access to the on-board bar which is located at the rear of the aircraft.

Premium economy class services - While no other aircraft of Emirates' fleet accommodates a Premium Economy Class, the same is available in their first Boeing 777X. The seats have been curated to fit the design of what can be found in Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs. These will be introduced in the aircraft that is slated to release in 2020-21. Details of the same are yet to be revealed by the airlines.

Economy class services - Emirates' economy class is not blessed with all the world-class features that their other cabins do, but it still has enough to keep the passengers comfortable. The seats offered on Airbus and Boeing 777 aircraft is approximately 34 inches. It has ten seats lined up in a row with adjustable headrests and an ICE entertainment system that offers 3000 channels. Not to mention how the seat also comes with a laptop power outlet in some of the newer aircraft. An additional recline is also available in A380 aircraft.

In-flight entertainment and dining services - Emirates prides itself on being the first airlines in the world to propose a personal entertainment system on commercial aircraft. The same was introduced in 1992, right after Virgin Atlantic brought forth similar ideation along with an entertainment system. Emirates' in-flight services include personal entertainment system which is of two types, ICE and ICE Digital Widescreen. Larger high definition screens have been installed in all classes of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleet. ICE is information, communication and entertainment and an in-flight service offered by Emirates. ICE also provides communication services which include sending and receiving emails for USD1 per message.

There are provisions to access mobile broadband services in flight as well. The same was introduced in 2008 and had been functioning well since. The airlines also offer scrumptious meals during the flight. Catering for the same is done by Emirates Flight Catering service, which operates one of the largest facility for airline catering in the world. Emirates strictly follows a halal dietary guideline and all meals are prepared accordingly. Much recently, Emirates also signed a million-dollar venture with Oakland-based Crop One Holding. The deal is to build and maintain the largest hydroponic growing facility that would provide yields to Emirates' fleet.

Baggage allowance

As long as you are able to meet the weight criteria, you can carry as many baggage on Emirates flights as possible. Depending on the class ticket that the traveller has purchased, the flight does have weight allowance segregated. As per the economy class' rules, the baggage on Emirates should not weigh beyond 32 kg. The weight concept applies to all international routes chosen by Emirates. As for first-class and business-class, the weight is 50 kg and 40 kg respectively. Emirates does not have baggage allowance with respect to numbers but requests passengers to adhere to the weight.

Popular routes and top cities for Emirates

Emirates has impeccable connectivity with respect to flights within the Middle East. Some of the domestic routes chosen by Emirates include countries such as Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Melbourne, Dhaka, Cambodia, Beijing, Hong Kong, Delhi, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo-Haneda, Singapore, Seoul, Male, Karachi, Christchurch, Auckland, Seychelles, Colombo, Hanoi and Bangkok in Asia, are some of the top cities that the airlines have flight operations in.

In terms of global reach, Emirates flies to international routes such as Addis Ababa, Cairo, Lagos, Cape Town, London, Istanbul, Zurich, Moscow, Lisbon, Madrid, Amsterdam, Athens, Rome, Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris, Copenhagen, New York City, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City to name a few.

Why travel by Emirates?

On a global scale, Emirates is the fourth-largest airline in the world in terms of passenger-kilometres flown and the second with respect to freight tonne-kilometres flown. The airlines have over the years built a name for itself to be the best with respect to comfort and connectivity. You can book Emirates flights online on all travel websites as well as the official site. Plus, you can find Emirates' flight schedules and check flight status on the website as well.