Semih
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-06-04
Abu Dhabi has been a very comfortable arrival experience since the new terminal opened, but at around thirty kilometres the journey into the city is longer than in Dubai. There is no metro.
Buses instead of rail
Scheduled buses run from the airport into the city and to the main hotel areas. They are affordable and reliable, but make intermediate stops. If you are heading to the islands or more distant resorts, you will still have another leg to cover. There is currently no rail connection to the airport.
Private transfer: fixed price and a driver who waits
A pre-booked private transfer means: the driver knows your flight number, waits if there is a delay, the price is fixed before you book, and luggage is included. It is the best option for late arrivals, for families with child seats, and for anything farther away than the city centre. If you are travelling light and want to stay spontaneous, you do not need it.
Uber in Abu Dhabi: available
Uber can be used in Abu Dhabi, and official taxis as well as a regional app are also widely used. Pick-up at the airport follows the designated zones shown in the app. Expect vehicle categories to have different names from those in Europe.
When a private transfer makes sense
After long-haul flights, with family, or for hotels on Yas Island, Saadiyat or out towards the desert, a pre-booked driver is the calmest solution. It is also more predictable than any last-minute option for a transfer between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Hire car: a good fit for the region
Wide roads, inexpensive fuel and good signage make driving easy, but there are toll gates and strict speed enforcement. A car is worthwhile for Liwa, Al Ain and trips to Dubai; for a purely urban stay, ride services are enough.
How Reisedrop handles the question after booking
After your hotel booking we do not ask whether you want to buy a transfer, we ask how you are getting to your accommodation in Abu Dhabi. You see two options side by side: a private transfer you lock in beforehand, and a direct link into the Uber app with your destination pre-filled if you would rather stay flexible. No flood of suppliers, no invented guide prices. Private transfers and rental cars are booked with external providers, and with Uber you are forwarded straight to Uber. Price, availability and booking sit with the respective provider. We are not a partner of Uber and deliberately show no Uber prices.
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