Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer Guide: AUH to City

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) sits roughly 30–35 km from the Abu Dhabi city centre and about 20 km from Yas Island. Unlike Dubai, Abu Dhabi has no Metro — public transport from the airport is limited to taxis and a single bus route. The good news: taxis here operate with fixed fares from the airport rather than a meter, so there are no surprises.

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) Overview

AUH has three terminals. Terminal 1 (A and B) handles Etihad and most full-service international carriers. Terminal 3 serves specific regional routes. A new Midfield Terminal is now open and handles Etihad’s main international operations — confirm your terminal when you land, as signage inside the airport is straightforward but the walk between terminals is substantial.

There is no train or Metro connection. The priority travel options are: official airport taxi, pre-booked private transfer, or the Route 901 bus.

Official Taxis from AUH

Abu Dhabi taxis from the airport operate on fixed fares to common destinations, set by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT). This means you agree the fare before you get in — no meter, no negotiation.

Fixed fares from AUH (approximate, as of 2026):

Destination	Fixed Fare (AED)	Journey Time
Yas Island (theme parks, hotels)	50–70	20–30 min
Abu Dhabi city centre (Corniche)	90–110	30–40 min
Tourist Club Area / Al Zahiyah	90–115	30–45 min
Saadiyat Island	80–100	25–35 min
Al Ain	220–260	80–100 min
Dubai city centre	280–350	90–120 min

Fares increase by approximately 20–25% between 23:00 and 06:00. Confirm the fare with the dispatcher at the taxi rank before departure.

Taxis are available from the ground floor of each terminal building, supervised by DoT dispatchers. Queue times are typically short outside of major flight waves.

Rideshare Apps: Uber and Careem

Both Uber and Careem operate from AUH. Fares are comparable to the official taxi fixed rates, though surge pricing can apply. Pick-up is from the designated zones outside arrivals — follow signage for “Rideshare” or check the apps for precise pick-up locations. Careem has strong local driver availability in Abu Dhabi.

Pre-Booked Private Transfers from AUH

A private transfer is the most comfortable option, particularly for late-night arrivals, families with luggage, or if you want a driver waiting in the arrivals hall rather than finding a taxi.

• Kiwitaxi — Fixed-fare AUH transfers: Pre-bookable online. Driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Price confirmed at booking — no meter.
• Welcome Pickups — Airport transfers Abu Dhabi: English-speaking drivers, real-time flight monitoring, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up.

Private transfer fares from AUH to Abu Dhabi city centre typically run AED 100–160 for a standard sedan, depending on destination and vehicle class.

Bus Route 901 from AUH

The Abu Dhabi DoT operates Route 901 (Airport Express) between AUH and the Central Bus Station in Mushrif, from where connections to other parts of the city are available.

Detail	Info
Fare	Approximately AED 4 (Hafilat card) as of 2026
Journey time	40–60 minutes
Hours	Approximately 06:00–midnight
Luggage	Allowed, no extra charge

The Hafilat transport card (Abu Dhabi’s equivalent of Dubai’s Nol card) can be purchased at the terminal or at Central Bus Station. A single-trip cash fare is slightly higher.

The bus is a genuinely good option for solo travellers with carry-on luggage heading to the Central Bus Station area or onward to cheaper accommodation. It is not practical for large suitcase-heavy groups or late-night arrivals when service stops.

Transfer Option Comparison

Option	Cost	Speed	Best For
Official Taxi (fixed fare)	AED 50–350	Fast	Most travellers
Uber / Careem	AED 50–300+	Fast	Those with the app
Pre-booked Private Transfer	AED 100–200 fixed	Fast	Groups, families, late arrivals
Route 901 Bus	AED 4	Slow	Budget solo travellers

Getting to Yas Island from AUH

Yas Island is only 20–25 km from AUH — one of the shortest airport-to-destination journeys in the UAE. A taxi costs approximately AED 50–70, making it one of the few times a taxi is both cheap and fast. Most Yas Island hotels (Yas Viceroy, W, Rotana Yas Island) offer their own shuttle services too — check at booking.

Getting to Dubai from AUH

If you are connecting to Dubai after landing at AUH, the main intercity options are:

• Taxi from AUH to Dubai: AED 280–350 to central Dubai, 90–120 minutes via E11/Sheikh Zayed Road. Practical for direct hotel drop-off.
• Pre-booked transfer: Often better value than an airport taxi for this longer route — book online here.
• Intercity bus: The E100 Abu Dhabi–Dubai bus (from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, not the airport) costs around AED 25 and takes 90–120 minutes.

Practical Tips

Book ahead for peak times: Abu Dhabi hosts large events including F1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit (typically November) and major concerts at Etihad Arena. Taxi and transfer availability can be strained on event nights — pre-booking is strongly recommended.

Night fares: All Abu Dhabi taxis carry a night rate from 23:00 to 06:00. The fixed airport fares should reflect this — confirm with the dispatcher.

Currency: UAE dirhams (AED). There are exchange counters at AUH arrivals, though rates are better in the city. ATMs are available airside and in arrivals.

For more on getting around once in the capital, see our Abu Dhabi getting around guide.