Abu Dhabi Airport Guide

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

Terminal 1

• Al Dhabi Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• Diamond Lounge – Temporarily Closed – Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• Al Reem Lounge – Temporarily Closed – Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller with Ethiad Airways or an Ethiad Airways partner airline you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

Terminal 1: Etihad Premium Lounge (Airside) • Etihad Arrivals Lounge (Landside).

Terminal 3: Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa (Airside) • Etihad Premium Lounge (Airside) • Etihad US Premium Lounge (Airside) • Etihad Arrivals Lounge (Landside).

Related Pages: Abu Dhabi Airport Lounges

Abu Dhabi Airport Hotels & Sleep Pods

If sleeping in Abu Dhabi airport sounds like a nightmare, there are transit hotels, sleep pods and a hotel connected to the airport from the public zone.

With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.

In Transit Aerotel Abu Dhabi Airport Hotel (Terminal 1) – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, International Departures Level 1, right side after passport/security control. Open to all transit passengers, this airport transit hotel offers free WiFi, luxury amenities, power shower, wake-up service, 1 hour use of Al Dhabi Lounge and more. As of August 2020, the following sample room rates include a 6-hour stay and all taxes and fees: Solo (AED 262.50) • Double Plus (AED 472.50) • Double Squared (AED 630).  A 30-minute shower package is AED 75.  » Check Rates

In Transit Aerotel Abu Dhabi Airport Hotel (Terminal 3) – Location: Terminal 3, Airside, Transit area. Open to all transit passengers, this airport transit hotel offers free WiFi, wake-up service, solo or double cabins, and more. Note: this location does not have showers.  Rooms can be booked starting at a minimum of 6 hours. As of February 2022, the following sample room rates include a 6-hour stay and all taxes and fees: Solo (AED 262.50) • Double Plus (AED 472.50) • Double Squared (AED 630).  » Check Rates

At the Airport Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport – Located next to Skypark multi-story car park opposite Terminals 1 & 3. Direct access from the airport terminal via retail corridor inside of Skypark.   » Check Rates

Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Abu Dhabi Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Abu Dhabi Airport. Connect to the “ADAC Free Wireless” network.

Additionally there are 50 free internet kiosks located in the Departure Lounges of all three terminals.

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

• Airport Service Center – Offers copying, faxing, safety deposit boxes, and more. Location: Terminal 1, Departures, Landside.
• Business Center – Offers telephone, fax and internet access. Location: Terminal 1 Transit Hall, in the Airport Hotel. Rate: AED 15 per 30 minutes.
• Family Services
  • Baby Care Facilities – Change and feed your baby in privacy and comfort at one of the numerous baby-changing rooms and nursing rooms located near all restrooms throughout the airport.
  • Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Locations: Terminal 1, Landside • Terminal 1, Airside. Additionally, staffed play areas are available to guests of the Al Dhabi Lounge, Etihad Diamond First Class Lounge, and the Etihad Pearl Business Class Lounge.
  • Strollers – To help parents get around the airport easier, the airport offers free baby strollers. Locations: various pick-up points throughout the airport.
• Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. Landside offers approximately 10 restaurants/cafes while Airside you will find 12. The airport mentions that a wide variety of restaurant options are open 24 hours. As of this update, we were only able to identify one: Cinnabon (Terminal 3, Airside, Main Level).
  • Supermarket – A wide variety of groceries, baked goods, souvenirs, and toys are available at Starter Supermarket. Location: Skypark, landside. Hours: 24 hours.
• Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit one of the airport information desks. Locations: located in every terminal. Hours: unknown.
  • Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Abu Dhabi and need local arrangements or help planning a really last minute trip abroad, there is an Omier Travel Agency (Skypark Plaza, Landside) that can probably be of assistance.
• Luggage
  • Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge. If you would like a porter, the fixed rate is currently AED 21/US$ 5.70.
  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – Short/Long term storage and lockers. Location: Terminal 1, Arrivals Hall • Terminal 3, Arrivals Hall. Rates: Small bag AED 10.50 (3 hours) to AED 21 (24 hours) and AED 10.50 each additional 24 hours • Regular bag AED 15.75 (3 hours) to AED 31.50 (24 hours) and AED 10.50 each additional 24 hours. Rates are available for bulky, oversized and small valuable (keys, phones) items as well.
  • Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. Rates: available for AED 15.75 – 50, depending on the size of your luggage. Locations: T1, T1A, and T3, landside, Check-In.

• Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical care is available at the Medical Services Clinic. Location: T1, airside, near the Immigration Arrival Hall. Hours: Open 24 hours. If you are a passenger at T2 or T3, call the clinic or seek the assistance of an airport staff member for access to the clinic.
  • Pharmacy – There are 2 pharmacies: Bin Sina Pharmacy (Terminal 1, 1st Floor, airside) • Boots (Terminal 3, 1st Floor, airside). Hours: open 24 hours.
• Money
  • ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
  • Currency Exchange – There are 16 foreign exchange offices/banks providing services. Hours: vary with many open 24 hours a day and access to foreign ATMs is also available 24 hours.
• Newspapers & Magazines – The airport has a number of free magazines and newspapers available at these locations in Terminals 1 and 3: First & Business Class Lounges • VVIP Lounge • Departure Gates • Arrivals Gates • Food Court •  Arrivals Area
• Phone – Pay phones can be found throughout the airport.  Sim cards, phone cards and headsets are sold at at the book stores and newsagents.
• Post Office – Send your last minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s post office. Emirates Post is located in landside in Skypark Plaza.
• Prayer Rooms – Clearly-marked, gender-separated prayer rooms are available in each terminal.
• Rest & Relaxation
  • Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
  • Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
  • Rest Zones – The airport offers areas with reclining seating for people to rest in between flights, but they are generally in open areas that might have a lot of noise for a deep sleep.

Take precaution even when sleeping in the rest zones.  In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them.  Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

• Shopping
  • Duty Free & Shopping – Duty Free shopping is available as well as a large selection of retail outlets, some of which are open 24 hours.
• Showers & Spa
  • Showers – Showers are available in the Al Reem and Al Dhabi lounges. See Airport Lounges for locations. According to the airport web site, free showers are located near Gates 32 and 37; however, a reader tells us they are actually near Gate 35 (you need to go down the stairs).  GoSleep sells shower kits including a disposable towel, footwear, soap, shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste for a fee. See Airport Hotels above for locations.
  • Spa – Pamper yourself at TOSA Spa in one of two locations: Terminal 1 location offers express foot/back treatments and body massage, while the Skypark Plaza location offers separate male and female treatment and changing rooms, relaxation lounge for females, and a mani/pedi room with TVs and newspapers. A full range of luxurious spa treatments are available to members and guests of the Etihad Diamond First and Pearl Business Class lounges at the Six Senses Spa, Terminals 1 and 3.
• SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
• Smoking – Designated smoking booths and lounges are available in these areas: T1, airside, 1st Floor (Abu Dhabi Lounge) • T2, airside, Ground Floor • T3, airside, 2nd Floor.
• WiFi – see “Airport WiFi/Internet” above.
• VAT Refund – Eligible travellers can receive a refund for any VAT paid on purchases made during their visit.  The Tax Refund counters are available in 3 locations: T1, next to Ethiad Airlines Transfer Desk (Airside) • T1, next to the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (Landside) • T3, opposite Costa Coffee (Airside).

Things to do

• Golf Course – Located a short drive (7 minutes) from the airport, the Al Ghazal Golf Course is considered one of the finest sand golf courses in the world. If you have a 3-5 hour transit, you can play 9 or 18 holes.
• Transit offers – If you have 4+ hours transit time in Abu Dhabi, you may want to take the opportunity to explore the city. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Ferrari World theme park, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, or zoom around the F1 Yas Marina Circuit.

Note: A transit visa may be required for you to leave the airport. Be sure to inquire before making arrangements to leave the airport during transit.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Airlines

Abu Dhabi airport is served by the following airlines: Air Baltic • Air Blue • Air India • Air India Express • Air Seychelles •  Biman • British Airways • Egypt Air • Emirates • Etihad Airways • Gulf Air • KLM • Kuwait Airways • Middle East Airlines • Oman Air • Philippine Airlines • PIA • Royal Jordanian • Saudi Arabian Airlines • Sudan Airways • Syrian Arab Airlines • Turkish Airlines • Turkmenistan Airlines.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

The airport is served by several lines of Abu Dhabi’s economic public bus system. Buses are air-conditioned and green and white in color. Bus stops, clearly marked by blue/white signs, are located at the lower curbside outside of each Terminal. Departures are every 40 minutes, 24 hours a day, and take about 45 minutes to travel between the airport and city (depending on traffic). At the time of this update, a one-way bus fare was AED 4.00. If you are flying economy class with Etihad, you may be eligible for free coach service whether you are arriving or departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Connections are available to Dubai and Al Ain. The Etihad Coach service can be reserved online up to 24 hours prior to the flight.

Car Rentals

Car rental service is available 24 hours a day at Skypark Plaza, located opposite Terminal 3 and just a short walk from Terminals 1 and 3. Skypark Plaza is accessible from Terminal 2 via free inter-terminal shuttle bus. The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Avis Budget • Dollar • Europcar • Fast • Hertz • Payless • Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update we were unable to find any hotels that provide an airport shuttle.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Inter-Terminal Transportation

Temporarily Unavailable.  It takes 20 minutes to walk between any two terminals – AUH airport offers a free shuttle service, which runs in 15 minute intervals between Terminals 1 and 2. Shuttle stops are located outside of Terminal 1 at Entrance 5, upper curbside, and Terminal 2 in front of the Departures Hall.

Taxi

Metered taxis are available 24-hours a day at the airport. Terminals 1 and 3 are served by late-model six-seater Mercedes Vito vans. These luxury taxis are equipped with GPS and have extra baggage space and multilingual male or female drivers. Multiple currencies are accepted for payment. Terminal 2 is served by metered Toyota Camry taxis from taxi ranks outside of the Arrivals Hall. At the time of this update, flag drop is AED 25.00 with a AED 1.60 charge per km up to 50 km (9 fils per km above 50 km).

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