One of the most exciting parts of the adoption process is getting the call that your child will be ready to come home soon. Finally it is time to book airfare.

Expect to pay anywhere from $1500-$2300 for a flight from the USA to Ethiopia, including connecting flights. You will pay higher prices during the summertime. The most common airlines to fly include Lufthansa, British Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.

Although it is possible to book directly through the airline of your choice, most people have found that the least expensive way to buy tickets is through a travel agent, preferably one who frequently books flights to Africa. He/she will likely be able to offer you the best prices.

The agent should ideally be familiar with the specific concerns of adoption travelers. You'll have a baby or child on the way home, so you won't be wanting to run from gate to gate to make a tight connection. Ideally the travel ageny will be familiar with the various airports and regulations so he/she can work intelligently for you.

For example, layovers in places like Amsterdam and Frankfurt require a transit visa for the child. Your travel arrangements will need to allow enough time in Addis to secure these required documents before coming home, or you'll need to choose an airline that avoids this particular transit points.

Sometimes a family will need to change their travel plans at the last minute, due to illness or a glitch in paperwork. Will your agent be able to change the dates of your tickets if necessary without charging you a high fee, either before you leave, or while you are in Ethiopia? Is he/she familiar with the proper way to book the child's one-way ticket on the way home? And finally, does the agent offer ways you can contact him/her on weekends or while you are in Ethiopia?

On my most recent trip to Ethiopia, we ended up being able to come home a couple days sooner than planned, and I was so grateful that our travel agent was on top of things, checked her email frequently and was willing to work hard to get our tickets traded for something that would work well for us.

Some people have reported good success with buying less expensive tickets through Ethiopis.com, though their after-purchase support may not be as good as an experienced adoption-travel agency such as Susan Parr Travel (highly rated by many adoptive families.)

Your adoption agency may be able to recommend additional agents with good reputations. As far as purchasing tickets online or using your favorite local travel agent, be sure to get several quotes before going that route. Almost universally, adoptive parents report prices to be higher than offered by a travel agency that does a high volume of bookings to Africa.