About Abu Dhabi Airport
Located 38 kilometres southeast of central Abu Dhabi within the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) services the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The multi award-winning airport is the hub for Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and consists of three terminals. Terminal 3 is dedicated exclusively to Etihad Airways arrivals and departures, with Terminals 1 and 2 used by other airlines. Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is one of the fastest growing airport hubs in the world, with the capacity to handle 12 million passengers a year in Terminal 3 alone.
What facilities are at Abu Dhabi Airport?
From baby change rooms to a premium, car grooming Car Spa, Abu Dhabi International Airport has a comprehensive range of services and facilities, including the welcome US pre-clearance facility.
Check-in
If you’re on a flight departing from Abu Dhabi Airport, you have a few different options for check-in. These include self-service kiosks and full-service counters at the airport, as well as remote check-in options. The airport check-in areas are located at the Arrivals level of each terminal, which is also the ground floor of Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
For self-service check-in, there are standalone check-in kiosks at Terminals 1 and 3. After checking in at the kiosk for your flight, you will need to go to the Bag Drop counter to drop off your baggage.
Guests at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi and Crowne Plaza in Abu Dhabi Yas Island can also use the onsite self-service check-in within the lobby of these hotels before dropping off your luggage at the airport.
Abu Dhabi International also has two other remote check-in options, allowing you to check your bags in up to 24 hours before you arrive at the airport and to secure your preferred seat. The City Terminal Check-In is located within the heart of Abu Dhabi’s business district and allows guests travelling with select airlines to check in themselves and their luggage. The other remote option is the Abu Dhabi International Airport Expo Check-In, which is situated within the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC). This check-in kiosk is open from 09:00 to 20:00 seven days a week.
It’s advisable to arrive at the airport check-in at least four hours before your flight if you are flying with Etihad and three hours for all other international flights. Check-in closes one hour before departure. Ensure you have your plane tickets, a valid passport, visas and baggage (if not using remote check-in).
US pre-clearance facility
One of the big advantages of travelling via Abu Dhabi airport for passengers en route to the United States is the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility in Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi Airport. Here you can go through immigration and customs, checking your baggage through to your final destination in the United States. Once you arrive in the States you’ll be treated as a domestic arrival, and breeze through the processing at the airport.
Baggage
Your luggage weight allowance and maximum dimensions of each piece will depend on the airline you’re flying with, so you’ll need to confirm this directly with the airline or talk to your Flight Centre Travel Expert. As is the case with most international airports, no single piece of luggage may weigh more than 32kg.
Baggage services are available at Abu Dhabi Airport, such as wrapping, sealing, strapping, packing, storage and shipping services. Short and long term storage is available in Terminal 1 in the Arrivals Hall, and wrapping and packaging facilities are now available in Terminals 1, 1A and 3.
Is there a currency exchange?
There are 16 specialist currency exchanges at Abu Dhabi Airport, and several local banks also offer foreign exchange services competitive rates. If you’re disembarking in Abu Dhabi and spending some time in the UAE, you can also pre-purchase your Emirati Dirhams or load a Cash Passport travel money card with multiple currencies at Travel Money Oz before you fly.
What are the other services and facilities?
- Business services
- Fast-track immigration counters
- Free Wi-Fi
- Meet and assist services
- Medical help
- Newspapers and magazines
- Porters, trolleys and buggies
- Post Office
- Shopping service – buy and collect
- Spa
- VIP services
Transport and terminal transfers
What’s the best way to get to and from Abu Dhabi Airport?
From luxury taxi to air-conditioned bus or Etihad Airways coach, you’ll find transport to and from Abu Dhabi Airport to suit every budget and travel requirements.
Taxi: Metered luxury taxis are the quickest way to get from the airport to the Abu Dhabi city centre, taking around 30 to 35 minutes. Taxi services are available 24 hours a day for door-to-door transportation. From Terminal 1 and 3, the signposted pick-up area can be found outside the Arrivals Hall for the fleet of six-seater Mercedes Vito vehicles. Terminal 2 has metered and air-conditioned Toyota Camry taxis on standby outside the Arrivals area. Multiple currencies are accepted.
Public Transport: The most economical way to travel from Abu Dhabi Airport to the city centre is via the green-and-white A1 public buses. The air-conditioned vehicles depart from all three terminals and stop at all bus stops to the Abu Dhabi city centre, terminating on Al Nasr Street. Public buses run every 40 minutes, 24 hours a day. Journey time is about 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Etihad Airways Chauffeur and Coach: If you’re flying with Etihad Airways in either First or Business Class, you are entitled to the services of a complimentary Etihad Chauffeur service for departure and arrival transfers anywhere in the UAE.
Car rental: Whether you want the most affordable option or you would like to experience Abu Dhabi in luxury-car style from behind the seat of a prestige vehicle, all manner of car hire is available at Abu Dhabi Airport. Car rental offices are open 24 hours a day in Skypark Plaza, opposite Terminal 3, or simply arrange your car rental before you leave home, through Flight Centre.
Pick up and drop off: A quick drop off and pick up lane is provided outside all terminals.
Parking
Short Stay Parking: Abu Dhabi Airport offers both Short Term and Mid Term parking within its Terminal 1, 2 and 3 carparks, which are accessible via a short walk along air-conditioned walkways from the closest terminal. The multi-storey covered carpark located between Terminal 1 and 3 also has temperature-controlled bays. Short Term parking rates start at a half-hourly rate with an additional fee for every hour up to a daily maximum of 24 hours and then a three-day rate.
Mid Term Parking: This is also available at Abu Dhabi International from four days up to seven days with a daily parking fee. Extra days are also available for an incremental daily rate.
Long Stay Parking: If you are leaving your vehicle at the airport while you travel, Abu Dhabi Airport has one Long Term parking lot, which is located at the Terminal 2 carpark. Long stay parking is also available within Garden parking. Long Term parking attracts a daily fee for a maximum of 60 days. Longer terms are also available by prior arrangement with the Help Desk at Terminal 1. To travel to Terminal 1 and 3 from Long Stay parking, take the complimentary shuttle for the five-minute ride.
Valet Parking: Abu Dhabi Airport offers valet parking services to save you time. There is no need to book this service; if you wish to use valet parking, drive your car outside the Departures area of Terminals 1 and 3, which are adjacent to each other. The valet parking fee is based on an hourly rate.
How do I transfer between terminals?
The three terminals at Abu Dhabi International Airport are located next to each other, making it easy to transfer between terminals. To travel between terminals for international flight connections, it is a 20-minute walk, or you can travel between Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 via the complimentary inter-terminal shuttle bus, which runs every 15 to 20 minutes from Entrance 5 at Terminal 1 to the Departures area of Terminal 2 – a two-kilometre distance.
