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Dire Dawa grew up with the railway from Djibouti. The downtown grid, the Kafira market, and the older quarter are a different Ethiopia from the highlands. It is also the practical airport for Harar: many visitors land here, sleep one night, and drive up to the walled city.

Hotels are larger than in Harar and easier to find near the centre. Use Dire Dawa when you want a full-service room and Harar when you want to sleep inside the walls.