TRAIN ADDIS-DJIBOUTI

The new electrified railroad line between Addis Ababa and Djibouti was built thanks to cooperation agreements with China. Inaugurated in 2016, it transports passengers and goods between the two capitals, reducing travel time from more than three days to less than 20 hours.
In Djibouti, trains depart from the new Nagad railway station, located 10 km from the city center. Trains depart from Nagad on odd-numbered days (except for the 31st of each month and February 29 in leap years): departure at 9.30 a.m., arrival at Dire Dawa station at 3.30 p.m.; on even-numbered days, departure from Dire Dawa at 8.30 a.m., arrival at Nagad station at 2.35 p.m. (i.e. around 6 hours for 200 km). Cabs are always parked there on train arrival days and times. In both directions, if you're coming from Addis Ababa and vice versa, you'll need to spend the night in Dire Dawa (Ethiopian border). There are plenty of local accommodation options. Travelers can purchase their tickets 9 days before departure and at least 24 hours before departure time. Tickets are on sale at the Nagad station ticket office (7am to 11am and 1pm to 5pm). You can choose between second-class bench seats, 4-person cabins and air-conditioned sleeper cars with toilets. However, there's no on-board catering service, so bring plenty of provisions and mineral water. International passengers are allowed two suitcases, each weighing 25 kg.