Transport In Abu Dhabi

Air travel

More than 34 airlines fly regular flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to over 150 destinations all over the world. This includes the fast-growing national carrier Etihad Airways. Facilities at the  airport include numerous restaurants and cafes, a business centre, post  office, prayer rooms, a 24-hour medical centre, banking facilities and  ATMs, car hire companies and public telephones, in addition to VIP lounges  at terminal two and at the five-star Abu Dhabi Airport.

Located 32km from the heart of Abu Dhabi city (and just minutes from  Masdar City), the airport works 24 hours a day, seven days a week on  two runways. The new Terminal 3 opened in the first quarter of 2009 and has increased the airport’s overall annual passenger capacity to 12 million passengers. Terminal 3 serves as base to Etihad Airways, the fast-growing national flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates.

To meet further growing demand, the airport has begun development work on a major new passenger terminal, to be located between the two parallel runways and known as the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC). The construction of the Midfield Terminal is a key element of the broader Midfield Complex, which will include cargo and catering facilities, utilities and associated infrastructure. In its first year of operation, the intended capacity of this facility is expected to reach 20 million passengers, gradually increasing to 40 million passengers every year.

Public transport

Abu Dhabi Municipality operates planned regional and intercity bus and taxi services. Abu Dhabi is also taking extensive efforts to ensure that timetables and route details are easily accessible. The government is steadily investing in a modern-day fleet of comfortable air-conditioned buses. Bus routes to Baniyas, Habashan and Al Ain are frequently busy and fares rarely go above AED 6 per person. There is also a shuttle service offered by Abu Dhabi Municipality to Marina Mall via Hamdan Street.

Taxis

Taxis provide a convenient option for getting around Abu Dhabi city and neighbouring regions. Minimum taxi fare in Abu Dhabi starts at AED 3, with an extra AED 0.75 billed for every subsequent kilometre of a journey. Presently, there are plenty of taxis operating in the Emirate, which can be hailed from almost any area at any time. Some operators (e.g., Al Ghazal and National Transport Company (NTC)) also accept advanced booking for their services. Other taxi companies operating in Abu Dhabi city are Al Arabia Taxi, Cars Taxi and National Taxi.

Car Hire

Renting a car in Abu Dhabi is effortless and inexpensive. You can find a  wide choice of car rental companies to choose between, which include major  international car rental agencies such as Hertz, Europcar and Avis; a  large number of local car rental companies offer quality  services. Many operate offices at Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Ain International Airport, enabling visitors to organise their car rentals on arrival.

Increasingly, car rental companies require a valid credit card upon collection of the car, which is either photocopied or the rental amount is blocked. Some companies will take a valid passport to be left as a deposit.

In order to rent a car, drivers require a valid international driving licence issued by the country from which they’ve obtained their driver’s licence. Additionally, most companies require drivers to be above 21 years of age and to hold a national licence valid for over one year.