Just past security in T1, the main Duty Free Shop is where most people stock up on last‑minute gifts and basics before regional flights. It sits airside in Terminal 1, so you’ll need a boarding pass in hand. Expect the standard mix: liquor, cigarettes, perfume, chocolate, and a few shelves of local Ethiopian coffee that actually travels well in a carry‑on.
Prices on spirits and cigarettes run lower than central Addis supermarket shelves once you factor in local taxes, but they’re not giveaway-cheap. You’ll see familiar global brands next to Ethiopian coffee in 250 g and 500 g bags, which pack easily into a backpack or cabin roller. If you’re doing a quick T1 domestic hop, this is about the only place to grab branded gifts without backtracking to landside.
Hours generally track flight banks, with the shop open for early-morning departures and staying active until the last evening waves of T1 flights. Stock can thin out during peak times, so if you want specific coffee or chocolate, shop before the late‑night rush when multiple departures leave close together. Card payments usually work, but it’s still smart to keep some birr or a backup card handy.
Practical tip: if you’re connecting from T2 to a T1 flight at Addis Ababa Bole, budget at least 20–30 minutes to move terminals and clear checks, then hit this Duty Free Shop once you’re airside instead of trying to shop in T2 first.