u.s. dollar
In cites like Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa little accpeted in Dire Dawa, not like Addis the US-dollar is mostly accepted. In some shops in Addis Ababa the prices will be written in ETB+USD. Also some ATM in Addis Ababa gives out both U.S. Dollar and birr. Most of the hotel in Addis Ababa accepts US-dollar. All airports in Ethiopia accepts U.S. Dollar.
costs
Ethiopia is relatively cheap for tourists, compared to other African countries.
To stay at a 5 star hotel in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Nazret, Bahir Dar, Gondar and Awasa costs on average 1500 birr per night.
Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Adama/Nazret have the most expensive prices in the country. For example a 32 inch 81 cm LCD TV costs around 15,000 birr. Food is also expensive if you buy it in the downtown.
You need about 400 birr per day for hotel, fuel, food, lodging and transport. In Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa you can need 600 birr per day.