Eritrea requires advance visa approval for nearly all foreign nationals. The Eritrean government operates a consular visa system where travelers apply through Eritrean embassies abroad, submitting passport copies, invitation letters if applicable, and detailed itinerary information. Processing times extend from two weeks to several months depending on nationality and diplomatic relations. Tourist visas typically grant 30-day stays. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Asmara controls final visa approvals. Official information appears at shabait.com and through embassies. No visa-on-arrival facility exists at Asmara International Airport. Travelers holding Israeli passport stamps face entry denial.
The nakfa serves as Eritrea's currency, introduced in 1997 at initial parity with Ethiopian birr. The official exchange rate fixes at approximately 15 nakfa per US dollar, but access to foreign exchange through banks remains restricted. The government controls currency conversion through the Bank of Eritrea. ATMs do not accept foreign cards. Credit cards function nowhere in the country. Travelers must carry sufficient US dollars or euros in cash, exchanging through hotels or authorized dealers in Asmara. The black market offers substantially higher rates but operates illegally. Hotels in Asmara quote rates in US dollars, typically accepting payment in cash dollars. Expect to pay all ground transportation, meals, and purchases in nakfa obtained through official channels.
Internal travel requires permits issued by the Ministry of Tourism in Asmara. Foreign visitors cannot leave Asmara or its immediate surroundings without written permission specifying destination, route, and dates. Permit applications require submission of passport details, planned itinerary, and local contact information. Processing takes one to three days. Travel to border areas, particularly near Ethiopia and Sudan, faces routine denial. Permits cost nominal fees but the approval process involves security clearance. Independent travel outside Asmara remains effectively prohibited. Organized tour groups obtain permits through registered tour operators. The checkpoint system operates on all major roads exiting the capital. Military and police personnel at checkpoints verify permits against passenger lists. Photography restrictions apply to military installations, government buildings, bridges, and infrastructure.
Asmara International Airport serves as the sole international entry point. Eritrean Airlines operates the national carrier, flying routes to Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Istanbul, and several African cities. Turkish Airlines suspended direct flights from Istanbul in 2018. Egypt Air maintains Cairo connections. Flight frequencies remain low, with major routes operating two to four times weekly. Regional flights to Nairobi and Khartoum experience irregular scheduling. The airport sits five kilometers south of central Asmara. No airport buses operate. Licensed taxis charge fixed rates around 200 nakfa to downtown hotels. Domestic flights connect Asmara to Massawa and Assab on irregular schedules through Eritrean Airlines. The domestic fleet consists of aging aircraft. Flight delays and cancellations occur frequently.
Road infrastructure concentrates in the Asmara-Massawa corridor and highland regions. The 115-kilometer road from Asmara to Massawa descends 2,300 meters through escarpment switchbacks, paved and maintained for tourist traffic. Bus service operates this route daily, departing Asmara mornings and returning afternoons, journey time four hours. Private vehicle rental does not exist for foreign tourists. Organized tours provide the only vehicular access outside public buses. The road network to Keren extends northward from Asmara, paved for 90 kilometers. Routes to southern and western regions deteriorate rapidly beyond main arteries. Public buses serve major towns on fixed schedules, departing early morning. The government restricts private vehicle ownership through import controls and rationing of fuel. Bicycle use remains common in Asmara. Walking remains the practical option within the capital.
Asmara offers hotels across three categories. The mid-range options include Asmara Palace Hotel and Crystal Hotel, both operating since independence, charging 40 to 80 US dollars per night for double rooms with private bath. The top category features Intercontinental Asmara and Sunshine Hotel at 120 to 180 US dollars, accepting advance reservations through email. Budget guesthouses exist near the municipality building and along Harnet Avenue, charging 15 to 30 US dollars. All prices require cash payment in US dollars or nakfa equivalent at official rates. Hotels include breakfast. Air conditioning functions inconsistently due to power rationing. Internet access exists in hotel lobbies but operates at dial-up speeds through government-controlled infrastructure. Hot water availability varies by facility and time of day. Advance booking requires email contact as online reservation systems do not operate.
Massawa provides coastal accommodation options limited to two functional hotels. The Dahlak Hotel operates near the causeway connecting the islands, charging approximately 60 US dollars for basic double rooms. Luna Hotel offers similar rates with fewer amenities. Both suffer from irregular water supply and power cuts. No advance reservation system functions reliably. Travelers arrive and inquire directly. Other towns including Keren offer basic guesthouses without advance booking capability. Western-standard accommodation does not exist outside Asmara. Camping requires special permits and escort arrangements through tour operators.