August 6, 2025 | Addis Ababa / Nairobi — A new cross-border ground transportation service has officially launched between Nairobi, Kenya and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, offering an affordable travel alternative with enhanced comfort and daily service.

Abyssinia Luxury Coach, a transport company operating in the region, began its services last Sunday, according to company director Michael James Macchio, who spoke with the BBC.

“The round-trip fare from Nairobi to Addis Ababa is 15,000 Kenyan shillings (about 16,000 Ethiopian birr),” Macchio said. “We charge 7,500 shillings per trip.”

The launch introduces a direct bus connection between the two capital cities, filling a service gap left by previous operators. Prior to Abyssinia’s entry, Royal Allied, which was established four years ago, offered routes between Nairobi, Moyale, and Mombasa—but did not extend service beyond Moyale into Ethiopia.

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Addressing Market Demand

According to Macchio, the company was founded to address growing demand for overland cross-border transport, particularly in light of high airline ticket prices.

“Due to the popularity of air tickets, there was a need for bus transport, and no service provider was addressing it. We started Abyssinia to fill this gap—even though we originally didn’t plan to operate the Nairobi–Addis route.”

The company launched its first official trip last Sunday. Despite limited promotion, seven passengers booked tickets to travel directly to Addis Ababa, while most passengers were headed to Moyale. In contrast, Thursday’s service was sold out, suggesting strong and growing demand.

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Fleet and Service Expansion

Abyssinia currently operates eight buses and plans to expand to 16, with six buses to be based in Ethiopia and imported via Djibouti.

Each coach is equipped with:

• 46 seats, intentionally limited for spaciousness
• Wider seat design
• Onboard attendants
• Separate restrooms for men and women
• Internet access and entertainment screens

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Route and Schedule Details

The buses operate daily and follow the schedule below:

• Departure: 04:00 PM from Nairobi
• Arrival in Moyale: Early the next morning
• Border process: Passengers wait until immigration opens at 8:00 AM
• Ethiopian leg: Departure from Moyale at 8:30 AM, passing through Yabelo, Bule Hora, Dilla, and Hawassa
• Arrival in Addis Ababa: Approximately 7:00 PM

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Focus on Safety and Security

Macchio noted that the company prioritizes road safety and only operates during daylight hours within Ethiopian territory.

“We are going to Moyale based on information about road safety. We do not travel at night within the Ethiopian border—the bus only travels during the day,” he said.

He added that he has personally traveled the route more than ten times and has not experienced any security incidents. The company continues to monitor the situation in coordination with local contacts in Moyale.

Abyssinia Luxury Coach enters a market with limited overland cross-border services, offering a lower-cost alternative for passengers moving between two of East Africa’s major urban centers. With plans to expand its fleet and increase visibility, the company aims to position itself as a reliable link in the region’s growing transport network.