Planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
Visitor Information
Abu Dhabi's Tourism Authority (tel. 02-444-0444; www.visitabudhabi.ae), on Al Salam Street, is part of a ministry, and does not typically serve the public. Check the website for visitor information.
City Layout
The capital of the U.A.E. is an island city connected by bridges to the mainland and surrounded by the Gulf. It's designed on a grid system built around a central "T," with the Corniche running along the coast and the Airport Road traversing the length of the island. Streets that parallel the Corniche (which is the same as 1st Street) have odd numbers, and those that parallel the Airport Road (the same as 2nd Street) have even numbers. The city's main tourist areas are as follows: Al Ras Al Akhdar, at the northwestern tip; the nearby Breakwater, an area of reclaimed land connected by a causeway to the west Corniche; Corniche West; Corniche East, and central Abu Dhabi; Al Meena and the so-called Tourist Club Area, at the island's northeastern tip; and finally the southern end of the island, which includes the areas of Al Matar, Al Maqtaa, and Al Safarat. Two new island projects, Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, will considerably increase the city's reach.
Getting There
By Plane
Etihad (tel. 06-505-8000; www.etihadairways.com), the outstanding national airline, flies nonstop to Abu Dhabi from JFK airport in New York. The flight takes a little more than 12 hours. Other airlines flying into Abu Dhabi include British Airways (tel. 02-622-5777; www.british-airways.com); Emirates (tel. 02-575-7474; www.emirates.com); and Delta/KLM (tel. 02-632-3280; www.klm.com). A taxi from the airport to downtown will cost about AED 80. There's also a public bus, no. 901, that runs from the airport to downtown every 45 minutes for AED 3.
By Car
You'll need a valid international driving license issued by the country where your national driving license is from to operate a car in the U.A.E. (visitors are not allowed to use their national driving license here). Abu Dhabi lies 166km (103 miles) from Dubai, a roughly 2-hour drive from Dubai on the Sheikh Zayed Highway. Although the highway is well-paved and marked, watch out for other drivers often traveling at very high speeds. Rental-car agents in Abu Dhabi include Avis (tel. 02-621-8400; www.avis.com); Budget (tel. 02-633-4200; www.budget.com); Hertz (tel. 02-672-0060; www.hertz.com); and Thrifty (tel. 02-634-5663; www.thrifty.com).
Getting Around
By Car
Driving is an economical way to travel in Abu Dhabi, although heavy construction and traffic can make navigating the roads here frustrating. Most rental cars are new, automatic, and air-conditioned. Rates vary considerably, and are usually cheaper when booked in advance online. Comprehensive insurance is essential (including personal accident coverage).
Abu Dhabi's roads are excellent, if increasingly crowded. Traffic signs are well marked and written in both English and Arabic. Speed limits range from 60 to 80kmph (37-50 mph) on city roads, and from 100 to 120kmph (62-75 mph) on highways. Driving is on the right-hand side. Seat belts are mandatory, as is use of hands-free devices when using a cellphone behind the wheel. Children aged 9 and under are not allowed to sit in the front seat. Anyone involved in a traffic accident must wait at the scene until the traffic police arrive to make a report. Call tel. 999 to report the accident.
Three bridges connect the island of Abu Dhabi with the mainland, and modern highways lead to Saadiyat and Yas Islands. An eight-lane highway connects to Dubai, which takes between 90 to 120 minutes to reach.
Although Abu Dhabi's roads are in good shape, standards of driving are poor. Traffic accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in the U.A.E. Local drivers in particular often drive at very high speeds. Unsafe driving practices are common, particularly on inter-city highways such as the Sheikh Zayed Road. On highways, unmarked speed bumps and blowing sand create additional hazards. Some visitors find it's simpler to take taxis rather than deal with renting a car and driving themselves.
Petrol (gasoline) in Abu Dhabi is available at stations operated by Emarat, EPPCO, and ENOC. Gas is less expensive in Abu Dhabi than in most Western countries.
By Taxi
Abu Dhabi taxis are safe, plentiful, and relatively inexpensive. They're the most common form of transportation for those without cars. It's generally easy to flag one off the street, or you can order one from any of the numerous cab companies regulated by TransAD (www.transad.ae/en). The starting daytime fare is AED 3 for pickup followed by AED 1 per kilometer (nighttime rates are slightly higher). Abu Dhabi has 11 taxi companies offering fixed metered rates. Most taxis are air-conditioned Toyotas or Nissans. One reputable option is National Transport Company (tel. 02-622-3300).
By Bus
Abu Dhabi Municipality is expanding its network of public, mostly air-conditioned buses to serve popular areas of the city, including the airport, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Tourist Club Area, and Breakwater Area, with fares starting at AED 1. The central bus station is located on Hazza Bin Zayed Road. The Emirates Express offers a bus service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai for AED 15 each way, and there's now a bus service from the central station to Al Ain, as well. For information, contact the Department of Transport Bus Office (tel. 800-55555; www.visitabudhabi.ae).
Fast Facts
Banks -- Banks are generally open Saturday to Wednesday 8am to 1:30pm (and some again 4:30-6:30pm), Thursday 8am to noon, and closed Friday and public holidays. There is a large network of local and international banks regulated by the U.A.E. Central Bank, and most have 24-hour ATMs.
Drugstores -- Most pharmacies are open Saturday to Thursday from 8:30am to 1:30pm and 4:30 to 10:30pm, and Friday from 4:30 to 10:30pm. For a list of pharmacies on duty, call the Abu Dhabi Municipality 24-hour hotline (tel. 02-677-7929). The pharmacies at Al Noor Hospital (tel. 02-626-5265, www.alnoorhospital.com) are recommended.
Hospitals -- For medical emergencies, dial tel. 999. In addition to Al Noor, Corniche Hospital (tel. 02-672-4900) is on the Corniche, near the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. You can get additional information on medical care in Abu Dhabi from the Health Authority at: www.haad.ae.
Internet -- Many local hotels, malls, and cafes now offer Wi-Fi for free. Visit www.visitabudhabi.ae for a list of independent Internet cafes.
Police -- For 24-hour police assistance, dial the tel. 999 hotline or 02-446-1461.
Post Offices -- The Abu Dhabi Central Post Office (tel. 02-621-1611) is near the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre and Gold Centre on East Road. It's open Saturday through Thursday from 8am to 10pm, Friday from 5 to 9pm.
