How to get around Abu Dhabi

Amidst the glittering skylines, gold flakes in coffee, world-class museums, entertainment and rich culture, Abu Dhabi is a worthwhile destination to explore. How do you get around this multicultural city? You can always depend on taxis and public transport. Then there are the ferries and domestic flights you need to get to some places in the region. Let’s talk about all the transport options in Abu Dhabi.

How to get around by plane in Abu Dhabi?

A visit to Bani Yas Island is one of the top things to do in Abu Dhabi. If you are staying at a mainland hotel like Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel, you could board a plane to get to this island. You can get a domestic flight from the Al Bateen Executive Airport, and the ride takes about 30 minutes. You can get flights to the island from the Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Ain International Airport as well but not as frequently.

How to get around Abu Dhabi by Ferry?

If you plan on visiting Dalma Island, you can catch a ferry from Jabal al Dhanna – a port town situated about 150 miles off the coast of the Persian Gulf. They operate ferries frequently from Saturday to Thursday (both ways) and twice on Fridays – the day of rest and worship. A one-way ticket costs about 6 USD and if you have children younger than 12 – they ride for free. However, Anantara resorts provide free transport between Bani Yas Island and Dalma Island to guests.

How to use public transport in Abu Dhabi?

The Abu Dhabi Department of Transportation operates buses daily along the emirates with services in Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain. You can board a bus to travel between the two cities and even some stops along the way. Buses are available around the clock but tend to be limited on Friday and Saturday. When you use buses in Abu Dhabi, you do have to worry about carrying exact change, but there is a way around it. Buy an Ojra bus pass from small kiosks at the Al Mina district bus station (near the Marina Mall). However, bus rides are not ideal for short journeys.

How to use taxis in Abu Dhabi?

Hailing a cab in Abu Dhabi is a piece of cake. All you have to do is look for a silver car with a yellow roof sign or a white and gold car with a green roof sign. Taxis charge about 1 USD per kilometre, but fares can be higher from 10 pm to 6 am. You can find taxis near hotels and malls or call the Abu Dhabi cab number 600 53 53 53 to book one. You can even download the Abu Dhabi taxi app for frequent use. Street names can be confusing in Abu Dhabi, hence always find out how to describe your destination by prominent landmarks.

How to rent a car in Abu Dhabi?

Taxis are hard to come by outside of the city. You can have a reliable transport option if you can rent a car and drive it. You can find a lot of car rental companies in Abu Dhabi with the facility to pick up your vehicle for the holiday at the airport itself. A large number of hotels too offer car rental services. All you have to bring is your international driving license. As far as parking goes, prepare to always pay a parking fee. You may have to pay about 0.80 USD per hour when parking. However, you do have the freedom to get around at any time you want to.