Taipei to Addis Ababa Flights

  About Taipei

Taipei City is the capital of Taiwan and a city that has been developing fast. Taipei has a very welcoming feel, and the city embraces its tourists with open arms. The city will instantly make you fall in love with it. The locals here are quite helpful and very friendly. The city has a lot of historical monuments, museums, gardens and age-old temples that are worth visiting. It might not be exactly adventurous, but it is definitely worth visiting. You get to learn a lot about the lifestyle and culture that the locals here lead. The city has also quite adapted to the party scenes and makes sure you get a party if you are looking for one. Shilin Night Market and Ximending are some of the popular places in the city to shop. Taipei also boasts of housing the world's eighth tallest building which is about 508 metres tall called Taipei 101. Needless to say, the view from up there is simply breathtaking and one that you are definitely not going to forget. The city also has lush greenery and hot springs so tourists can get rid of all their stress and just relax.

Best Time to Visit Taipei City

Taipei experiences the spring season from March to May which is also the peak tourist season. You can go for a hike to the Elephant Mountain and be amazed at how beautiful the trails look, thanks to spring. The temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degree Celsius, and it even rains a little bit during spring. If you vacation clashes with The Tomb Sweeping Day, which is a public holiday celebrated in April, you will find most streets deserted at this time. Since this is peak travel season, make sure you book your hotel in Taipei several weeks in advance because availability might become an issue at the last moment. Not to mention, the hotel prices also see a surge during this season, so you will end up paying more money on accommodation that you otherwise might. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Taipei in advance.

September to November is autumn season in Taipei, and there are fewer tourists in the city. If you don't like crowds, this is the right time for you to head to Taipei. The temperature ranges from 23 to 30 degree Celsius and is quite comfortable. Hotel and flight prices also drop considerably during this time. You might get a good deal on a flight ticket to Taipei in autumn. You can take a stroll by the lakes or head to the beach, and you can enjoy exploring the city without being hassled by tourists. The locals also prefer and love this season better than the rest. While the days are warm and sunny, the nights are comparatively cool. The Moon Festival and Double Ten Day are some of the popular events that are celebrated during this time.

The city experiences summer from June to August, and the temperature reaches a maximum of 30 degree Celsius. This is a low tourist season since there is also a threat of typhoons hitting the city in summer. Though you might be able to get cheap flight tickets to Taipei and cheaper accommodations, this is not the best time to plan your vacation to Taipei. However, if you are in the city during early summer, you might be able to catch the Dragon Boat Festival. December to February is the winter season and the temperature drops to a minimum of 10 degree Celsius. It is not too cold, and a lot of tourists actually love planning a winter trip to Taipei.

Places to Visit in Taipei City

Taipei 101 is an important landmark in Taipei and one you must definitely not miss. It is the eighth tallest building in the world and is an architectural marvel. National Palace Museum is yet another major tourist spot that houses artworks and artefacts from more than 10,000 years ago. Ximending is a popular neighbourhood in Taipei and quite the party destination, too. You can also head to Shilin Night Market for some delicious street food and a satisfying shopping spree. Though you will also find a lot of fancy restaurants at the market, travellers recommend that you give the local street food stalls a shot. The Longshan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan and is mainly popular because of its markets. Xinbeitou Hot Springs is the best getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can also head to the National Taiwan Museum, which is one of the oldest museums in all of Taiwan. If you are an animal lover, you have got to visit the Taipei Zoo. It is a very popular tourist attraction for families with kids.

If you are a history buff, you are going to love a visit to the National History Museum. It was built in 1955 and showcased a lot of important collections that depict Taiwan's history. Dadaocheng Wharf has become a tourist attraction today along the Tamsui River. It used to be a major trade location before it transformed.

Things to do in Taipei City

Visiting Taipei 101 and going all the way up to the observatory must be on your itinerary. You will have to pay a nominal tariff to get up there, but it's all worth it. You can sign up for a guided sightseeing tour of the city or explore the city on your own, whichever suits you. Head over to Shilin Night Market to let your hair down, and party or you can just spend the night dining and shopping. Both are great ways to end the vacation. Sign up for a food tour of the city, if you find one. Right from the local street food to the fancy restaurants, you can pick your favourite once you've tried everything you felt like trying. In fact, you can also enrol yourself in a cooking class and learn to cook at least one Taiwanese cuisine. You can head back home after your holiday and show off your skills to your friends and family. It would be best if you headed to the Xinbeitou Hot Springs and this place will get rid of all the stress that you are going through. You can indulge in massage therapy or just enjoy the warm water and other healing therapies. You can also participate in any one of the festivals here that will help you socialise and learn more about the Taiwanese culture. The people here are very warm and welcoming so that you can feel safe here.

Foods and Restaurants in Taipei

Taipei is one city where you will find all sorts of cuisine. It is a modern city and caters to all kinds of taste buds. Though there are quite a few dishes here that are inspired by Chinese cuisine, the locals have managed to make Taiwanese food stand out. Gua bao is a popular pork belly dish that is quite popular in Taiwan; so is the oyster omelette. Taipei also has a lot of Indian restaurants like Mayur Indian Kitchen, Saffron Fine Indian Restaurant, Balle Balle Indian Restaurant and Ali Baba's Indian Kitchen. However, it is not very easy to find vegetarian food in the city. Mik-4ever Indian Restaurant is a popular restaurant that has quite a few options for vegetarian and vegan dishes. Hotpot and beef noodle soup are some of the other popularly ordered foods at restaurants here. The local street food at the night markets here are delightful, and you must try it. Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles is a very popular restaurant that you must try. The mee sua with braised pork intestine is a highly recommended dish at the restaurant. Fuhang Soy Milk is yet another popular restaurant in the city that serves traditional Taiwanese breakfast. You can also head to the Tao-Yuan Street Beef Noodle Shop for more variety in Taiwanese cuisine.

How to reach Taipei City

Taoyuan International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Taiwan. The flight connectivity to Taipei City from India is excellent. Cathay Pacific Airways, Dragonair and Singapore Airlines have frequent flights to Taipei City with layovers at Hong Kong and Singapore. If you book several weeks in advance, you will come across exciting flight deals to Taipei City online. During the offseason, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Taipei City. The Taoyuan airport is connected really well to other cities by road and rail. You can either book a cab from the airport or board a bus. You can also commute by train near the airport. The airport has premium lounges, WiFi, ATMs, currency exchange, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas, massage services, information desks and so on. If you have to wait for a long time to board your flight, be assured that you will not get bored here. You can also book a hotel in Taipei City near the hotel for the last couple of days of your vacation, so you reach on time.

  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.