Travel to Abu Dhabi

Flying to Abu Dhabi

British Airways and Etihad Airways operate direct flights to Abu Dhabi from the UK. Etihad Airways runs direct flights from the USA. KLM, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways are among the other carriers that serve the capital. Flights vary in price, and are particularly high at the start of the summer, when many leave Abu Dhabi, and in autumn, when many of the capital’s big-draw events take place.

Flight times

From London - 7 hours; New York - 13 hours; Los Angeles - 16 hours; Toronto - 13 hours; Sydney - 14 hours 45 minutes.

City Airports: 
Telephone:+971 2 505 5555
Website:https://www.abudhabiairport.ae
Location:

Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport is about 19km (12 miles) east of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a notable city landmark.


Money:

There are many banks, ATMs and currency exchange counters throughout Terminal A.


Luggage:

Complimentary luggage trolleys and paid porter services are readily available for passenger convenience.

Baggage storage facilities are on Level 0 of the Arrivals Concourse.

If you have misplaced items before security, please contact +971 509098163 or visit the information counter on Level 0, Arrivals Concourse. For items lost after security checkpoints, call +971 509098168 or approach the counter on Level 3, near Le Club Duty Free.

Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport is the principal hub for Etihad Airways. Passengers on Etihad flights arriving in Abu Dhabi can report lost items using this form.

Should you lose baggage or personal items on flights operated by other carriers, it is advised to communicate with the respective airline for assistance directly.

Travel by road

Summary:

In recent years, significant improvements have been made to the road network in and around Abu Dhabi to improve traffic flow.

The minimum legal driving age is 17.

Traffic drives on the right, with speed limits of up to 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas, up to 120kph (75mph) on major roads and up to 140kph (87mph) on motorways. These must be observed as penalties for speeding are severe and rigorously enforced. Speed cameras can be found on most major roads, and breaking the limit by more than 20kph (12mph) can result in a week in prison and the car being impounded for a month. The new motorway between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia - known as Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road - was opened with a 160kph (99.5mph) speed limit.

Under no circumstances should you leave the scene of a motor accident or move the vehicle before the police have arrived, as this is an offence. There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving in the UAE.

Emergency breakdown service:

Arabian Automobile Association (tel: 800 4900, in the UAE).

Routes:

The three main roads leading into and out of the emirate (Khaleej Al Arabi, Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Street and Salam Street) merge into one main highway that links the city to the airport. There are few street names in Abu Dhabi, so make sure you know the closest landmark to your final destination.

Driving times:

From Dubai - 1 hour 30 minutes; Al Ain - 2 hours.

Coaches:

Dubai Bus (tel: +971 800 9090; www.dubai-bus.com) runs regular inter-emirates buses between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. From Dubai, there are coach services to Muscat, Oman.

Travel by rail

Services:

A new railway network is under construction which will offer freight and passenger services within the UAE and eventually to neighbouring countries.

Operators:

Etihad Rail (tel: +971 2 499 9999; www.etihadrail.ae) runs the new rail network, but there are currently no passenger services in operation.




Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.