How to Get to Somaliland: Flights to Hargeisa and the Overland Route
How to get to Somaliland? Most visitors arrive by air through Hargeisa. A few cross by land from Ethiopia. Here is how each works, and which visa goes with which route.
TRAVEL · GETTING THERE
Getting to Somaliland is easier than its reputation suggests. Hargeisa, the capital, has regular international flights, and there is a well-used road border with Ethiopia. The route you choose decides one important thing: whether you can get your visa on arrival or need it in advance.
How to get to Somaliland: the short answer
Fly into Hargeisa via Dubai or Addis Ababa, and buy a Somaliland visa on arrival at the airport. If you come overland from Ethiopia, you must get your Somaliland visa before you travel.
Flying into Hargeisa
Egal International Airport in Hargeisa is Somaliland’s main gateway. As of October 2026, direct flights connect it with Dubai, Addis Ababa, Djibouti, Nairobi, Jeddah and Mogadishu, operated by flydubai, Ethiopian Airlines, Daallo Airlines, Jubba Airways and Air Djibouti.
For most travellers, the simplest options are via Dubai, where flydubai sells flights from Hargeisa to Dubai and onward across its network, or via Addis Ababa, where Ethiopian Airlines connects Hargeisa with a hub linked to much of Africa, Europe and Asia. Schedules change often, so check directly with the airline before you book, and search using the airport code HGA.
Before you fly: the UK Foreign Office notes that some airlines may ask to see the federal Somali e-visa before boarding, even though it “will not be considered valid for entry” in Hargeisa. Ask your airline in writing what it needs. Our visa guide explains the details.
What about Berbera airport?
Berbera, on the coast, has a long runway and was reopened to international passengers in 2021. In March 2025, the government declared it open for international trade, with a focus on cargo. We could not confirm any regular scheduled passenger flights as of October 2026, so for now most visitors reach Berbera by road from Hargeisa. For the bigger picture on Berbera’s trade, read Berbera Port: Why It Matters for the Region.
How to get to Somaliland overland from Ethiopia
The main land crossing is at Wajaale, roughly 93 kilometres from Hargeisa, on the road from the Ethiopian city of Jijiga, which has flights from Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines.
The official advice has a useful detail for this route. The UK advises against all travel to areas within 30 km of the Ethiopia–Somalia border in Fafan zone, “except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale”. In other words, the advice excludes the main road and the border town, though not the surrounding border areas.
Visa: Somaliland’s immigration service says visas on arrival are issued only at Hargeisa and Berbera airports. If you arrive by land, you must apply in advance at a Somaliland mission or online. You will also need to meet Ethiopia’s own exit requirements.
Overland from Djibouti
There is also a land border with Djibouti, but it is less used by travellers, and the UK advises visitors to “take great care” if travelling to the Djibouti–Somaliland border. Air Djibouti and Daallo fly between Djibouti and Hargeisa, so for most people the plane is the easier choice.
“The route you choose decides one important thing: whether you can get your visa on arrival.”
Choosing how to get to Somaliland: which route is right for you?
| Route | Visa | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Fly via Dubai | On arrival at Hargeisa | Most travellers from Europe, the Gulf and Asia |
| Fly via Addis Ababa | On arrival at Hargeisa | Connections across Africa |
| Overland via Wajaale | In advance | Travellers already in eastern Ethiopia |
Once you land
Hargeisa is the natural first stop. Our Hargeisa Travel Guide covers what to see, money and getting around. Read Is Somaliland Safe? before you plan trips beyond the city, and save a morning for the rock art of Laas Geel.
Sources
- Flights to Hargeisa (HGA), FlightConnections, updated 17 October 2026.
- Flights from Hargeisa, flydubai.
- Somalia: entry requirements, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, updated 19 October 2026.
- Ethiopia: regional risks, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, updated 21 October 2026.
- Djibouti: regional risks, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
- Visa Section, Somaliland Immigration and Border Control.
- Berbera Airport, Wikipedia.
- Somaliland’s Berbera International Airport declared open for international trade, FTL Somalia, 25 March 2025.
- Tog Wajaale, Wikipedia.
- Jijiga Gerad Wilwal Airport, Wikipedia.
Last checked 24 October 2026. Flight schedules change often; confirm with your airline before booking. Found an error or something out of date? Tell us.
