Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

Serving the United Arab Emirates' capital city, Abu Dhabi International is the second largest airport in the country and it continues to grow in terms of size and facilities on offer. Our Abu Dhabi International Airport guide includes contact details and essential information on airport transfers, facilities and accommodation.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is situated 32km (20 miles) east of Abu Dhabi.

Work has begun on a large fourth terminal known as the Midfield Terminal Complex, which will increase the airport’s capacity by an additional 20 million passengers per year when it opens in 2014. Final completion of the project is due in 2017.

Shuttle buses link the terminals every 15 minutes.

Three major roads link the airport with central Abu Dhabi: 30th Street, 2nd Street and 8th Street. From 30th and 2nd Streets, merge onto the E20 and follow signs to the airport. From 8th Street, take the E10 and turn off where the signs suggest – this road then leads directly to the terminals.

Bus: Bus 901 connects central Abu Dhabi (Old Fish Market on Al Nasr Street) with the airport, departing at 40-minute intervals from outside the arrivals areas (journey time: 45 minutes; fare: AED3).

Etihad Airways operates a free coach connection for its passengers between the airport and Dubai (journey time: 1 hour).

Taxi: Metered taxi services operate from outside the arrivals areas of Terminal 1 and 2. Rates for limousines are controlled by the airport authority and start at around AED70 into the city. The journey time to the city centre is 30 to 40 minutes.

Short-, medium- and long-stay parking is available close to all terminals, with options including the air-conditioned multistorey Skypark opposite Terminal 3. Shuttles link the car parks with the terminals.

There are airport and tourist information desks within all terminal buildings.

A good selection of duty-free shops is available, 24 hours a day, in each terminal. These offer a wide range of goods, from confectionary to perfumes. A ‘collect on return’ service is available to passengers not wishing to take their purchases with them on their flight.

The airport is wheelchair accessible, with installed lifts and ramps. A personal 'meet and assist' service is available (tel: (02) 575 7466/505 2710) and wheelchairs are available to hire: passengers are required to inform the airport of their needs 48 hours prior to departure or arrival.

Luggage trolleys can be found in the baggage reclaim areas and at the terminal entrances. Porters are on hand to assist passengers with luggage (for a small fee). Left-luggage lockers are available and a lost and found service is on hand to deal with questions about lost items.

There is a wide range places to eat and drink in all three terminals. Among the options is a steak restaurant, an eatery serving Lebanese food and various fast-food outlets.

There is one on-site hotel at Abu Dhabi International Airport, but this caters only to passengers in transit. Further options can be found nearer the city centre. Our Abu Dhabi International Airport guide includes the following accommodation option: