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Djibouti🇩🇯 | townsAs EylaHighway tea stalls, truck stop, stony plain | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in As Eyla
🌟 Highlighttown ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

As Eyla is known as a working stop on the main highway that carries trucks between the port of Djibouti and Ethiopia. It sits in the south-west of Djibouti, in the Dikhil region, on a hot, stony plain. Rooms are few and the town is small, so you arrive by road, usually on a bus or shared taxi, and plan your stay around those departures. Shade is scarce and midday is punishing, so experienced travelers keep their walking to the morning and spend the hottest hours at a tea stall. Cash is the rule here, so carry small bills from the capital. The evenings are quiet, with truck drivers and a few locals rather than other backpackers, so expect conversation in Afar, Somali, Arabic or French rather than hostel chatter. Compared with Dikhil, the regional hub, As Eyla is smaller, with fewer services and more road traffic.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 town in DjiboutiWhat makes it a must-see town

As Eyla suits the traveler who wants to see how the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor actually works, not tick off sights. The pull is the highway life: trucks queuing, drivers resting, tea poured at roadside stalls, and the Afar and Somali communities who trade along it. It also gives access to the dry Dikhil region landscapes, with volcanic plains and acacia scrub, for people who like open country and silence. Most people stop for a few hours or a night, and only slow travelers or overlanders stay longer. It is quiet and not social in a backpacker sense, so it works best for confident solo travelers and small groups who speak a little French or Arabic, or who carry a phrasebook. If you need nightlife, hostels or a packed list of sights, treat it as a pause on the road.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of As Eyla

  1. Roadside tea stalls on the main highway: the best place to understand the town, with spiced tea and flatbread served beside parked trucks. Go in the morning, when drivers are setting off and the heat is bearable. Expect to pay US$1 to 3 and linger for about an hour.
  2. As Eyla market: a small cluster of stalls selling basic groceries, fabric, sandals and goods brought in along the road. Mornings are liveliest. Entry is free, a purchase of water or fruit costs US$1 to 3, and a walk takes 30 to 45 minutes.
  3. The plain around the town: a short walk on the edge of the settlement shows the acacia scrub, dark volcanic stones and wide horizon of the Dikhil region. Go in the cooler hours, wear a hat, and allow about an hour. It is free.
As Eyla also makes a base for onward visits to Lac Abbe, whose limestone … read more 👉
  1. Roadside tea stalls on the main highway: the best place to understand the town, with spiced tea and flatbread served beside parked trucks. Go in the morning, when drivers are setting off and the heat is bearable. Expect to pay US$1 to 3 and linger for about an hour.
  2. As Eyla market: a small cluster of stalls selling basic groceries, fabric, sandals and goods brought in along the road. Mornings are liveliest. Entry is free, a purchase of water or fruit costs US$1 to 3, and a walk takes 30 to 45 minutes.
  3. The plain around the town: a short walk on the edge of the settlement shows the acacia scrub, dark volcanic stones and wide horizon of the Dikhil region. Go in the cooler hours, wear a hat, and allow about an hour. It is free.
As Eyla also makes a base for onward visits to Lac Abbe, whose limestone chimneys and flamingos are a long day out, and to Dikhil and the Hanlé plain nearby. Start with the tea stalls, because that is where you will meet people, learn which vehicles are heading on, and get your bearings before the heat builds.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

As Eyla is a small, flat town on the Route Nationale 1 in the Lake Abbe and Dikhil corridor, so areas are defined by the road rather than by street grids. Distances are short, and nearly everything is reachable on foot in under 20 minutes.
  • Main road strip: Along the highway you find the truck stops, tea stalls and small shops. This is where long-haul drivers between Djibouti City and Ethiopia pause, so food is simple: grilled meat, rice, flatbread, sweet spiced tea. Trucks pass constantly and there are few crossings, so walk on the verge and cross where traffic slows near the shops.
  • Central market area: A cluster of stalls sells fruit, dates, canned goods, phone credit and water. Prices are not posted, so ask a shopkeeper for the price first and carry small notes, since change is scarce. Mornings
… read more 👉
As Eyla is a small, flat town on the Route Nationale 1 in the Lake Abbe and Dikhil corridor, so areas are defined by the road rather than by street grids. Distances are short, and nearly everything is reachable on foot in under 20 minutes.
  • Main road strip: Along the highway you find the truck stops, tea stalls and small shops. This is where long-haul drivers between Djibouti City and Ethiopia pause, so food is simple: grilled meat, rice, flatbread, sweet spiced tea. Trucks pass constantly and there are few crossings, so walk on the verge and cross where traffic slows near the shops.
  • Central market area: A cluster of stalls sells fruit, dates, canned goods, phone credit and water. Prices are not posted, so ask a shopkeeper for the price first and carry small notes, since change is scarce. Mornings are busiest, and shade is limited, so plan errands before midday.
  • Residential edges: Low houses and compounds spread back from the road on stony ground. There is little to see, and pointing a camera at homes or people without asking causes offense. Greet people first, ask permission, and expect a polite refusal at times.
  • Open desert fringe: Past the last houses the terrain turns to rock and thorn scrub. Distances deceive in the heat and there are no marked trails, so go with a local guide rather than alone.

⌛️ 1 dayHow to make the most of one day

This is a road-town morning that turns into a slow afternoon of watching the plain. 7:00 AM, tea stalls on the highway: start with sweet spiced tea and bread while drivers prepare their trucks. Ask politely before taking photos, since many drivers prefer not to be filmed.
8:30 AM, As Eyla market: walk the short distance to the stalls and look at what arrives from the capital and Ethiopia. Buy water, fruit and anything you need for the day, because supplies thin out later.
10:30 AM, the plain edge: follow a track on foot away from the last buildings for a while. The acacia scrub and dark stones make a quiet change from the road. Turn back before the heat peaks, and carry a hat and plenty of water.
12:30 PM, rest in the shade: take lunch and a long break in a simple restaurant or guesthouse, where … read more 👉
This is a road-town morning that turns into a slow afternoon of watching the plain. 7:00 AM, tea stalls on the highway: start with sweet spiced tea and bread while drivers prepare their trucks. Ask politely before taking photos, since many drivers prefer not to be filmed.
8:30 AM, As Eyla market: walk the short distance to the stalls and look at what arrives from the capital and Ethiopia. Buy water, fruit and anything you need for the day, because supplies thin out later.
10:30 AM, the plain edge: follow a track on foot away from the last buildings for a while. The acacia scrub and dark stones make a quiet change from the road. Turn back before the heat peaks, and carry a hat and plenty of water.
12:30 PM, rest in the shade: take lunch and a long break in a simple restaurant or guesthouse, where the day's hottest hours pass.
4:00 PM, a settlement lane away from the highway: this is the part most passers-by skip. Stroll the side lanes behind the road, where houses, goat pens and small shops show local life without trucks. Greet people and accept tea if invited.
6:00 PM, back by the road: watch the evening convoy of trucks stop for the night and have dinner among the drivers. Arrange onward transport for the next morning.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

November to February is the most comfortable window for As Eyla, with daytime highs around 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) and nights near 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F).
  • Cool Season (November to February): Walking outdoors is realistic all day. Daylight runs close to 11 to 12 hours. Prices for rides and rooms rise a little with the few tourists and expats traveling then.
  • Shoulder Months (March to April, October): Highs climb to 35 to 38°C (95 to 100°F). Doable if you move before noon and rest through the afternoon.
  • Hot Season (May to September): Highs often reach 40 to 45°C (104 to 113°F), with hot winds and little shade. Visitors are scarce, transport is quieter, and outdoor effort becomes risky past mid-morning.
  • Rain: Rainfall is minimal and erratic, with brief showers possible in winter or late summer. Road
… read more 👉
November to February is the most comfortable window for As Eyla, with daytime highs around 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) and nights near 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F).
  • Cool Season (November to February): Walking outdoors is realistic all day. Daylight runs close to 11 to 12 hours. Prices for rides and rooms rise a little with the few tourists and expats traveling then.
  • Shoulder Months (March to April, October): Highs climb to 35 to 38°C (95 to 100°F). Doable if you move before noon and rest through the afternoon.
  • Hot Season (May to September): Highs often reach 40 to 45°C (104 to 113°F), with hot winds and little shade. Visitors are scarce, transport is quieter, and outdoor effort becomes risky past mid-morning.
  • Rain: Rainfall is minimal and erratic, with brief showers possible in winter or late summer. Road washouts are rare but possible.
Book any trip toward Lake Abbe for the cool season, and avoid Ramadan afternoons if you want food stalls open.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Stay along the main road area of As Eyla, because it is where the few simple guesthouses and rooms cluster, and where transport passes. Dedicated hostels are essentially absent, so budget beds mean basic private rooms, often with shared bathrooms, at roughly US$10 to 25 a night. Arrive before dark and confirm a bed in person, since advance booking by phone or online is unreliable.

The road strip is noisy. Trucks pass through the night and early morning, and generators hum, so bring earplugs and choose a room set back from the pavement if offered. The upside is that you are within a short walk … read more 👉
Stay along the main road area of As Eyla, because it is where the few simple guesthouses and rooms cluster, and where transport passes. Dedicated hostels are essentially absent, so budget beds mean basic private rooms, often with shared bathrooms, at roughly US$10 to 25 a night. Arrive before dark and confirm a bed in person, since advance booking by phone or online is unreliable.

The road strip is noisy. Trucks pass through the night and early morning, and generators hum, so bring earplugs and choose a room set back from the pavement if offered. The upside is that you are within a short walk of food stalls, water and the roadside spot where vehicles stop, which matters when you leave early. Lighting is limited after dark, but the center is quiet and the main street is the best place to be.

The residential edges have little accommodation and no signage, so you would likely depend on a host introduction. Many travelers instead stay in Djibouti City or Dikhil, which have more choice, and visit As Eyla by road. If you need air conditioning, ask before paying, because power cuts are common in hot months.
Best hostels in Djibouti


Best quality hotels in Djibouti

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

As Eyla is compact enough to cross on foot in 15 to 20 minutes, and walking only stops making sense when you head out toward the desert or to neighboring towns. Traffic is mostly trucks on the national highway, so there is no city congestion, but there is also no formal public transport. Most backpackers arrive on a shared minibus or bus from Djibouti City and leave the same way, flagging vehicles from the roadside.
  • Walking: Free, and sensible before about 10 a.m. or after the heat breaks. Shade is rare, so carry water and cover your head. Sidewalks are largely absent, so keep to the road edge facing traffic.
  • Minibuses and shared taxis on the highway: These link As Eyla with Djibouti City and Dikhil, about US$3 to 8 depending on the destination and vehicle. They leave when full, usually in the
… read more 👉
As Eyla is compact enough to cross on foot in 15 to 20 minutes, and walking only stops making sense when you head out toward the desert or to neighboring towns. Traffic is mostly trucks on the national highway, so there is no city congestion, but there is also no formal public transport. Most backpackers arrive on a shared minibus or bus from Djibouti City and leave the same way, flagging vehicles from the roadside.
  • Walking: Free, and sensible before about 10 a.m. or after the heat breaks. Shade is rare, so carry water and cover your head. Sidewalks are largely absent, so keep to the road edge facing traffic.
  • Minibuses and shared taxis on the highway: These link As Eyla with Djibouti City and Dikhil, about US$3 to 8 depending on the destination and vehicle. They leave when full, usually in the morning, and services thin out by mid-afternoon, so ask locally at the roadside the evening before.
  • Long-distance buses: Buses plying the Ethiopia corridor sometimes stop here. Fares to Djibouti City run roughly US$4 to 8. Seats are not guaranteed, so be ready to wait. Departures are irregular, so confirm the time with the driver or a shopkeeper.
  • Hired 4x4 with driver: The practical option for Lake Abbe or the desert, since tracks are unmarked and fuel stations are few. Expect roughly US$80 to 150 per vehicle per day, so splitting among travelers makes it affordable. Agree the route and price before leaving, and confirm that water and fuel are included.
  • Local pickup rides: Short hops with a driver or in a truck bed cost a few dollars, about US$1 to 3. Negotiate before climbing in, as there are no meters.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

As Eyla costs a backpacker roughly US$68 to 76 a day, most of it going to a room and transport. Prices are higher than the town's size suggests, because goods arrive by truck.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$10 to 25No true dorms. Basic private rooms with shared bathrooms are the cheapest option.
MealsUS$6 to 12Grilled meat or fish, rice and flatbread at roadside eateries, plus tea for under US$1.
Local transportUS$3 to 8Shared minibus rides and short pickup hops, with fares negotiated beforehand.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$30 to 70A shared 4x4 to the desert or lakes is the main outlay, with guide fees on top.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 6Bottled water, phone credit and small tips.
Total Daily BudgetUS$68 to 76Based on one room, simple meals, shared rides and one excursion.
… read more 👉
As Eyla costs a backpacker roughly US$68 to 76 a day, most of it going to a room and transport. Prices are higher than the town's size suggests, because goods arrive by truck.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$10 to 25No true dorms. Basic private rooms with shared bathrooms are the cheapest option.
MealsUS$6 to 12Grilled meat or fish, rice and flatbread at roadside eateries, plus tea for under US$1.
Local transportUS$3 to 8Shared minibus rides and short pickup hops, with fares negotiated beforehand.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$30 to 70A shared 4x4 to the desert or lakes is the main outlay, with guide fees on top.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 6Bottled water, phone credit and small tips.
Total Daily BudgetUS$68 to 76Based on one room, simple meals, shared rides and one excursion.
Money tip: split a hired 4x4 among three or four travelers and buy water in bulk in town, which cuts the biggest costs by half.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsWhere to go beyond the main area

As Eyla works as a rough stop rather than a hub, since transport is informal and distances are long, so any day trip needs a vehicle arranged ahead.
Lake Abbe:
The salt lake on the Ethiopian border is famous for limestone chimneys venting steam and flamingos at dawn. It lies roughly 2 to 3 hours away by 4x4 on rough tracks, so leave early. A shared vehicle costs about US$40 to 70 per person, and the cooler months are far kinder. First-timers often arrive at midday, when the heat is harsh and the light flat.
👉 Explore Lake Abbe
Dikhil:
The regional capital has a proper market, fuller food options and banking, and it is the usual jumping-off point for the south. Shared minibuses take about 45 minutes to 1 hour and cost roughly US$2 to 5. Go in the morning, when vehicles back are more frequent, … read more 👉
As Eyla works as a rough stop rather than a hub, since transport is informal and distances are long, so any day trip needs a vehicle arranged ahead.
Lake Abbe:
The salt lake on the Ethiopian border is famous for limestone chimneys venting steam and flamingos at dawn. It lies roughly 2 to 3 hours away by 4x4 on rough tracks, so leave early. A shared vehicle costs about US$40 to 70 per person, and the cooler months are far kinder. First-timers often arrive at midday, when the heat is harsh and the light flat.
👉 Explore Lake Abbe
Dikhil:
The regional capital has a proper market, fuller food options and banking, and it is the usual jumping-off point for the south. Shared minibuses take about 45 minutes to 1 hour and cost roughly US$2 to 5. Go in the morning, when vehicles back are more frequent, and do not leave your return until late afternoon.
👉 Explore Dikhil
Lake Assal:
The salt flats around Lake Assal are the lowest point in Africa, at about 155 meters below sea level, with white crystal shores and turquoise water. From As Eyla it is a long haul of roughly 3 hours each way, and a hired car with a driver runs about US$80 to 120 split among passengers. Wear closed shoes, as the salt crust cuts feet, and bring shade because there is almost none.
👉 Explore Lake Assal

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

As Eyla is generally calm, and most problems are practical rather than criminal. The main hazards are heat and highway traffic, so drink water steadily, cover up and stay off the road edge at night when trucks pass with little warning. Petty theft is uncommon, but keep your phone and cash out of sight in the market and carry small notes to avoid overpaying. Prices are rarely posted, so ask first and agree fares before riding. Women traveling alone may attract stares or questions, so dress modestly in loose, long clothing and greet people politely, which usually settles things. Photography of people, military sites or checkpoints needs permission, and officials may ask for your passport on roads near the Ethiopian border, so carry a copy. After dark the town is quiet and poorly lit, so arrive … read more 👉
As Eyla is generally calm, and most problems are practical rather than criminal. The main hazards are heat and highway traffic, so drink water steadily, cover up and stay off the road edge at night when trucks pass with little warning. Petty theft is uncommon, but keep your phone and cash out of sight in the market and carry small notes to avoid overpaying. Prices are rarely posted, so ask first and agree fares before riding. Women traveling alone may attract stares or questions, so dress modestly in loose, long clothing and greet people politely, which usually settles things. Photography of people, military sites or checkpoints needs permission, and officials may ask for your passport on roads near the Ethiopian border, so carry a copy. After dark the town is quiet and poorly lit, so arrive before sunset and avoid walking out into the desert fringe alone.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about As Eyla

As Eyla is mainly a stopover on the highway between Djibouti City and Ethiopia, with little to see in town itself. Its value lies in access to Lake Abbe and the desert, roughly 2 to 3 hours away by 4x4. Food stalls and basic rooms cover a night, at about US$10 to 25 for a room.
As Eyla needs one night at most, or one full day if you use it to reach the desert lakes. A second day makes sense only if you add Lake Abbe at dawn, which needs an early 4x4 start. Rooms cost roughly US$10 to 25, and excursions a further US$40 to 70 each.
As Eyla can be reached from Djibouti City in a long day, but the return trip leaves little time in town. Minibuses take several hours each way, at roughly US$3 to 8, and services thin out by mid-afternoon. A better plan is to hire a vehicle and combine As Eyla with Dikhil or Lake Abbe, or stay one night.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Djiboutian towns near As Eyla

Explore more nearby:

  • Dikhil—Afar market, qat hour, wadi edges| 31 km away
  • Yoboki—Afar tea stalls, dusty main strip, dry riverbeds| 56 km away
  • Holhol—Railway halt, roadside stands, volcanic plain| 96 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

As Eyla looks like a place you simply drive through, yet the side lanes behind the highway are where the town actually lives, with goats, shopkeepers and tea at the doorstep. I would walk them after the midday heat, greet people first and carry small bills. Fix your onward ride the evening before, because mornings are when vehicles leave.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Djibouti. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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