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Transfer Options from Abu Dhabi Airport to City Centre

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and the second-most populous city of the UAE. Mainly known for their commerce, their skyline’s modern towers, their grand shopping megacenters such as Abu Dhabi and Marina malls and their exquisite Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Over 10 million travellers fly through Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) per year, and 2 airport transfer options are available to the city centre of Abu Dhabi. The first, most efficient and most comfortable transportation option is to get an Abu Dhabi airport taxi. There are two types of taxis available at the airport; luxury or standard vehicles which differ in services and flag-fall fares. Your second, and longer option is to take an Abu Dhabi public bus, which is more cost-savvy. Two different bus options are available at AUH airport, and both take you to slightly different parts of the city centre.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Abu Dhabi at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €35 25min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €19 25min 24/7
Bus €2 45min 24/7

How to get from Abu Dhabi Airport to city centre by taxi

Both standard and luxury taxis are available in Abu Dhabi. Standard taxis are easy to recognise as they are silver with a yellow taxi rooftop sign. On the other hand, luxury taxis are black Mercedes-Benz Vitos and cost a little extra on flag fall, however, the price per km is the same. Taxis are great, safe, reliable and very comfortable!

Taxi fare from Abu Dhabi airport to city centre

Abu Dhabi taxis use a taximeter to calculate their fare between the airport and the city. You can expect to pay around €19 (80 AED) for the journey, however, this price can be affected by traffic and waiting times.

Going further, this price includes a small initial fee which is the starting fare for all airport pickups. There is a slightly larger fee for luxury vehicles, but the price per km is the same.

Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM AUH - TO CITY CENTRE
€19
€22
24min
FROM AUH - TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€19
€22
24min
FROM AUH - TO SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE
€11
€13
20min
FROM AUH - TO CORNICHE BEACH
€22
€25
30min
FROM AUH - TO YAS MARINA CIRCUIT
€8
€11
15min
FROM AUH - TO DUBAI
€59
€62
65min
Cost

€19

Trip Duration

24 Min.

*Rates may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 outside Abu Dhabi airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Taxis are available outside Terminals 1, 2 and 3. However, if you would like a luxury taxi, you can find them at Terminals 1 and 3. The areas are clearly signposted.

Convenience

Taxis are by far the quickest and most convenient way to travel into the city centre of Abu Dhabi. Luxury taxis are not much more expensive and provide a great number of extra benefits for those wanting full comfort for their journey.

Editor’s Note

Luxury taxis offer high-quality interiors, extra luggage space, up to date GPS and multi-lingual drivers, which ensure maximum comfort and satisfaction for your journey to the city.

Useful Tips

Most taxi drivers speak English, but are not always familiar with street names. For this reason, make sure you know the number and name of the street you are headed to, in case you get lost.
Luxury vehicles accept multiple currencies, so you don't have to worry about changing your money into the local currency at the airport.
You can download the Abu Dhabi Taxi App, available for both iOS and Android. The app allows you to easily book a taxi while you are out and about.

How to get from Abu Dhabi airport to city centre by bus

There are a few bus services that operate from the airport’s arrival terminals, however, the most efficient bus service is the A1 bus, which runs between the airport and city.
The bus operates 24/7 and takes you to the City Air Terminal (bus station) in Abu Dhabi centre. The total journey takes around 45 minutes to reach the station, traffic dependent. From the station, you will either have to take a cab or walk to your final location.

How much is a bus ticket from Abu Dhabi airport to the city centre?

The Abu Dhabi bus services are relatively cheap and are therefore a good alternative to taxis, especially for those travelling on a budget. A single, one-way ticket on the A1 line costs €1 (4 AED).

Cost

€1

Trip Duration

45 Min.

There can be up to a 40-minute wait for the bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The bus is available daily 24/7, every 30 to 40 minutes.

Where do I get the bus from?

The A1 airport bus line departs from the lower curbside at Terminals 1 and 2 at Abu Dhabi airport. All bus stops are marked with blue and white signs.

Convenience

The Abu Dhabi airport bus service operates daily 24/7, making this travel option very convenient for those travelling on an early or late flight (as taxis charge extra for this). Buses are comfortable and economical, despite taking a little bit longer to reach the city, they are a great option for those on a budget.

Editor’s Note

The buses in Abu Dhabi are air-conditioned (which is very important during the summer months), and there is ample luggage storage. They are not usually that busy compared to the taxi stand, which is a great bonus.

Useful Tips

The A1 airport bus is easy to recognise as the vehicle is green and white.
All bus stops are clearly indicated with blue and white signage.
The bus from the airport only stops at legal bus stops along the way to the city, which can add time to the journey.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Abu dhabi. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How many transport options are there from Abu Dhabi airport to the city centre?

There are 2 transportation options to get you from Abu Dhabi airport to the city centre. The best option in terms of comfort and efficiency would be to take a taxi, however, there is also a public bus service that runs 24/7 from all terminals.

How much is a taxi from Abu Dhabi airport to the city centre?

Taxis are metered between the airport and city, therefore the price is based on the time and distance travelled. However, you can expect to pay around €19 for a journey into the city. Please note, that night and weekend/holiday rates will apply and could change your end fare.

How far is the airport from the city centre of Abu Dhabi?

The airport is located around 32km from the city centre of Abu Dhabi. A journey in light traffic (by car) should take around 24 minutes.

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