we were a group of adults only. it is possible that the children enter for free.

Sorry no idea

I’m not sure what you mean.

Hi Marc - we paid about $200 return for air tickets from Addis to Lalibela and would recommend that you stay a few days there as it is lovely - we only stayed one night and wished we had stayed more nights. Marilyn is correct - we booked a brilliant guide (Abebe) though the hotel and we also booked a pickup and dropoff from the airport too. We tipped the guide in US$ as they prefer that. He spent 4 hours with us and walked us around the 11 churches - our price with the hotel also included the entrance for the churches as well.

I’m coming today May 24th Alex if you are available come get me at the airport I’m landing at 10:20 am flight 122 my name is Fernando

Hi there, Yes of course you can enter in the church you mentioned on Sundays since this is a day on which church service is going on the whole night starting the eve. Around 05:00am, the mass service will start and continues till around 09:00am. But once the service is started, you should not allowed going here and there for your personal activities. Instead you stay inside the church and follow the service wiht the locals until it over. In side the church or compound moving to much is not advising for others would be disterbed.How ever, you can take photos when you find necessary. Then after the mass, you can head for your sightseeing. Buying the ticket on Saturday is more convient to enter the church compound on Sunday. Enjoy your time. Beyene.

Flying is much better and will take some 45m-50 minutes if direct. other wise you can drive the 800kms with 1 night stop over in Kombolcha or Dessie towns. Thank you, Beyene

Je me suis trompée c'est en Birr éthiopien, la monnaie locale

Hi Becky I went with two friends, we booked with Vast Ethiopia Tours, flew in to Lalibela from Addis Ababa, and had a private vehicle with tour guide provided, collected from airport. All very easy. So that answers Qs 1 & 2. We stayed at Mountain View Hotel, best place in town and one of only two or maybe three places that I would rate as of decent Western standard (I am an African and rough it often when needs be, but a clean bed, etc etc are rather important). Lalibela could be compated to a place like Kathmandu or Zanzibar: you can have a decent, clean experience, but you could also end up in a $#!^ hole if you tried to go the budget route (unless you lke it rough and local). Did not try any other facilities than at hotel, and ate at the fabulous Ben Abeba restaurant (Run by crazy Scottish lady). We did not need or use tourist info, as we had a private guide. I would say one of the safest places I have ever been, anywhere in the world. Roads are ok, one paved and the rest dirt, but good enough. Sinage, does not really apply in Third World places like this. Pretty non existant. 2. Leisure, holiday. 3. I am a travel journo working mainly in Africa, so I know. 4. Lalibela is fantastic, beyond expectations. 5. Very likely. 6. The entrance fees go to pay the priesthood, not restore the churches or do good works in the town, so it is a complete rip-off. But you do not argue with the church guards and their AK47s. 7. Generally very satisfied, given when you realise where you are. It is 100 % authentic, it is a rare place and experience. You cannot make comparisons with Disney Land or Paris. Ethiopia is a rare and precious thing, a place that links direclty with the ancient past. Understand it for what it is, and you will love the place. Look for package tour convenience, maybe you will not. 8. Those UNESCO roofs, while serving a necessary function, are real Euro trash aesthetically.