Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers: Getting from the Airport to the City

Airports serving Abu Dhabi

• Zayed International (Abu Dhabi) (AUH) — 32 km from the centre

  Metered Karwa taxi to Downtown in ~30 min; A1 airport bus to the city bus terminal is AED 4.

• Dubai International (DXB) — 140 km from the centre

  E11 highway to Abu Dhabi in ~90 min by taxi or intercity bus (E100/E101).

Entry and arrival formalities

Smart-gate e-passport lanes are open at AUH to residents and a growing list of nationalities.

Same UAE rules as Dubai: many nationalities receive a free visa-on-arrival (30 or 90 days); others need a pre-arranged e-visa via a hotel, airline or tour operator.

Getting into the city

Distances are longer than Dubai — most visitors combine metered taxis, rideshare (Careem/Uber) and hotel shuttles. The Corniche is walkable; Saadiyat, Yas and the Grand Mosque need a car. E11 links Abu Dhabi and Dubai in about 90 minutes.

• Taxi

  Silver Karwa taxis are metered, air-conditioned and inexpensive; pink-topped cabs are driven by women for female passengers.

• Rideshare

  Careem and Uber cover the whole city and often beat taxis on price for short hops.

• Public bus

  Integrated Trans AD bus network; buy a Hafilat card at any station.

• Hotel shuttles

  Saadiyat and Yas Island resorts typically run free shuttles to Corniche, Yas Mall or the airport.