Getting around · Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates
Getting around Abu Dhabi
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Peturrunar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Abu Dhabi spreads over several islands linked by bridges and motorways, and there is no metro. Most visitors use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps, which are inexpensive by Gulf standards; public buses cover the main routes, and Yas Island has its own free shuttle. Not for the city: taxis are inexpensive and parking is a hassle downtown.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Taxi
- Airports
- AUH
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- Hafilat card
Ways to get around
Taxi
Metered taxis are plentiful and can be hailed on the street, booked by phone or app, or found at malls and hotels. A ride from the Corniche to the Grand Mosque takes about 20 minutes.
Carry small notes; many drivers accept cards, but not all.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Careem operate in Abu Dhabi and can book both taxis and private cars, with fares shown upfront.
Bus
Public buses link downtown with Yas Island, Saadiyat, the airport and the suburbs, and pay with a rechargeable Hafilat card. On Yas Island, the free Yas Express buses connect hotels, theme parks and Yas Mall.
Bus shelters on the main island are air-conditioned, which helps in summer.
Walking
The Corniche and the waterfronts at Yas Bay, Al Maryah Island and Saadiyat are pleasant on foot from November to March; the city as a whole is too spread out to walk between districts.
Cycling
Dedicated cycle paths run along the Corniche and on Yas and Hudayriyat islands, with bike rental available. Ride early in the morning or after sunset outside the winter months.
Car
Roads are wide and well signed, and a rental car is useful for Al Ain, Liwa and the desert. Speed cameras are everywhere, and Darb toll gates on the bridges into Abu Dhabi island charge at weekday peak times.
Rental companies usually bill tolls and traffic fines to your card after the rental.
Tickets and passes
Hafilat card
A rechargeable smart card for Abu Dhabi's public buses, sold at bus stations, the airport and ticket machines; tap on and off to pay.
From the airport
Zayed International Airport (AUH) is about 30 km from the Corniche; taxis take about 30–40 minutes to downtown and about 10–15 minutes to Yas Island, and public buses run to the city centre. Some travellers fly into Dubai International instead, about 130 km and 1.5–2 hours away by road.
Do you need a car?
Not for the city: taxis are inexpensive and parking is a hassle downtown. Hire a car only for Al Ain, the Liwa desert or the western region, or join organised tours instead.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Al Ain | About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus | Car, tour or intercity bus |
| Dubai | About 1.5 hours by car or bus | Car, intercity bus or tour |
| Liwa Oasis and Moreeb Dune | About 2.5–3 hours by car | Car or 4x4 tour |
| Desert safari | About 1 hour each way by 4x4 | Organised tour with hotel pickup |
| Al Wathba Wetland Reserve | About 45 minutes by car | Car or taxi |
| Sir Bani Yas Island | About 2.5–3 hours by car plus a short boat ride | Car to Jebel Dhanna, then boat |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Abu Dhabi?
Not for the city: taxis are inexpensive and parking is a hassle downtown. Hire a car only for Al Ain, the Liwa desert or the western region, or join organised tours instead.
+How do you get from the airport to Abu Dhabi?
Zayed International Airport (AUH) is about 30 km from the Corniche; taxis take about 30–40 minutes to downtown and about 10–15 minutes to Yas Island, and public buses run to the city centre. Some travellers fly into Dubai International instead, about 130 km and 1.5–2 hours away by road.
+What is the best way to get around Abu Dhabi?
Taxi: Metered taxis are plentiful and can be hailed on the street, booked by phone or app, or found at malls and hotels. A ride from the Corniche to the Grand Mosque takes about 20 minutes.