Zayed International Airport (IATA: AUH) is Abu Dhabi’s main international airport and the hub of Etihad Airways. It underwent a major transformation with the opening of the new Terminal A in November 2023 — one of the largest airport terminals ever built, with a floor area of approximately 742,000 square metres. If you last visited Abu Dhabi Airport before 2024, the experience has changed significantly.
This guide covers what to expect on arrival, how to reach the city, what to do on a long layover, and practical tips for check-in and departure.
Terminal A: The New Airport
Terminal A is now the single operational passenger terminal at AUH. The old Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 buildings have been decommissioned for regular passenger use. All flights — Etihad and all other carriers operating through Abu Dhabi — use Terminal A.
Architecture: The terminal’s interior is characterised by a sweeping biomorphic white ceiling structure that references traditional Islamic geometric patterns at a monumental scale. The building has been designed to allow natural light into the central hall, reducing the oppressiveness common in large transit spaces. Walking the length of the terminal is genuinely impressive even if you have seen many airports.
Layout: The terminal is divided into concourses running east-west. Arrivals halls are on the lower level; departures check-in and security on the upper levels. The concourse structure means significant walking distances between some gate areas — for tight connections, check your gate number and allow extra time.
Check-in halls: Located at the upper level, accessible directly from the drop-off road. Self-service kiosks are widespread. Etihad has an extensive Business Studio and First Suite check-in area with priority lanes. Economy check-in queues can be long at peak hours — the 07:00-12:00 block is typically the busiest for outbound international flights.
Arrivals: What Happens on Landing
Immigration: Abu Dhabi immigration uses UAE-standard entry procedures. Nationals of GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman) enter freely. Most Western passport holders (UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada) receive a 30-day visa on arrival at no charge. Nationals of approximately 100 other countries also receive visa-free or visa-on-arrival access — check the ICP UAE (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) website before travel to confirm your nationality’s status.
Biometrics: UAE immigration uses facial and iris scanning at most immigration counters. First-time visitors to the UAE are enrolled in the biometric system on initial entry.
Baggage claim: Carousels are in the lower level arrivals hall. Luggage for most long-haul Etihad flights is typically on the carousel within 20-30 minutes of landing. Short-haul routes from the Gulf region are generally faster.
Customs: UAE customs allows duty-free import of up to 4 litres of alcohol (non-Muslim passengers only), 400 cigarettes, and personal electronics for personal use. UAE dirham import is limited to AED 100,000 equivalent. No restrictions on gold jewellery for personal use, though large quantities intended for resale require declaration. The customs hall uses green (nothing to declare) and red (goods to declare) channels.
Sim card: Etisalat (now rebranded as e&) and du both have counters in the arrivals hall. Tourist SIM packages start from approximately AED 75 for 10-20GB and a local number. Installing a physical SIM takes 5-10 minutes and requires your passport. For visitors with compatible phones, an eSIM is faster — activate before landing.
Transport from Terminal A to Abu Dhabi City
Taxi (recommended for most visitors): The taxi rank is immediately outside arrivals, ground level. Metered Abu Dhabi Taxi Corporation cabs have a flagfall of approximately AED 5 during the day and AED 5.50 at night, plus AED 1.82 per km thereafter. Typical fares:
- Corniche area / Al Markaziyah (city centre): AED 50-65, 30-40 minutes
- Yas Island (Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld): AED 30-40, 20 minutes
- Saadiyat Island (Louvre Abu Dhabi, beach resorts): AED 50-65, 35 minutes
- Al Ain (other side of Abu Dhabi emirate): AED 180-220, 90-100 minutes
A AED 5 airport exit fee applies on top of the meter reading when departing the terminal by taxi.
Pre-booked private transfer: Services like Kiwitaxi provide a fixed-price transfer with a named driver at arrivals. Recommended for late-night arrivals, families with luggage, and those with mobility needs. A standard sedan transfer to central Abu Dhabi costs approximately AED 80-120 as a pre-booked fixed price versus AED 50-65 on the meter — the premium buys a named driver and no queue.
Careem (ride-hailing): Careem operates in Abu Dhabi and the app works at Terminal A. Pickup from the designated areas outside arrivals. Fares to the city are roughly equivalent to metered taxis. Useful to avoid the taxi queue.
Public bus (A1 and A2): Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport operates bus routes from the airport to the city. The A1 bus runs to the city centre bus station; the A2 runs to Khalidiyah. Fare: AED 2, paid with a Hafilat card (purchase from the bus station inside the terminal). Journey time: 60-90 minutes depending on traffic and stops. The buses are air-conditioned and reliable but require a Hafilat card — cash is not accepted. Buy the card (AED 5 + minimum load) at the Hafilat desk in the terminal before boarding.
Getting to Dubai from AUH: If you land at Abu Dhabi but are heading to Dubai, the standard options are:
- Careem or taxi: AED 250-350 for the door-to-door journey (90-120 minutes by road via E11).
- E100 or E102 public bus: AED 25, runs from Abu Dhabi city centre bus station to Dubai Union Square bus station (2.5-3 hours). You need to reach the bus station from the airport first.
- Private transfer pre-booked: approximately AED 300-350 for a fixed-price city-to-city transfer.
There is no rail link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai as of 2026. The Etihad Rail project connects some regional freight routes but does not serve this passenger route yet.
Facilities at Terminal A
Duty-free: The Terminal A duty-free area is extensive — one of the larger airport duty-free floors in the Gulf region. Gold, perfume, chocolate, electronics, alcohol, and a significant range of regional and international brands are available. Alcohol is well-priced and available airside (4-litre duty-free limit per passenger). The duty-free area is accessible post-security for departing passengers.
Dining: The terminal has a full range of food options airside and in the arrivals hall. Airside, you will find branches of Shake Shack, Le Pain Quotidien, Jones The Grocer, Starbucks, and several Gulf regional brands. The food court area has Emirati dishes (harees, biryani, luqaimat) as well as pizza, Japanese, and Mediterranean options. Landside (pre-security), options are more limited but include a Costa Coffee counter in the arrivals hall.
Lounges: Etihad’s lounges in Terminal A are considered among the best in the Middle East. The Etihad First and Business Lounge is accessible to First and Business class passengers, Platinum and Gold Etihad Guest members, and Priority Pass holders at select access points. The lounge features a la carte dining, shower suites, and a quiet zone. Independent lounges accepting Priority Pass and Lounge Key (such as the Al Ghazal Golf Club Lounge) also operate at Terminal A — check your card’s app for access details.
Hotel: The Airport Inn by Aloft operates within the terminal complex (airside, accessible without clearing customs). Day-use rooms from approximately AED 350-500 for 8 hours. Useful for Etihad passengers on long connections. The in-transit hotel does not require a visa for access.
Prayer rooms: Available on multiple floors throughout Terminal A, clearly signposted in both Arabic and English.
Children’s facilities: A dedicated play area for children is located in the departures concourse. Baby care rooms are located near the main restrooms throughout the terminal.
Check-in and Departure Tips
Etihad check-in timing: Etihad recommends arriving 3 hours before departure for long-haul flights and 2 hours for short-haul. In practice, check-in for popular evening Etihad departures to London, New York, and Sydney can have significant queues in the 60-90 minute window before the 3-hour mark. The terminal is large — add walking time to your check-in estimate.
Immigration pre-clearance for US-bound flights: Terminal A hosts a US CBP (Customs and Border Protection) pre-clearance facility — one of very few outside the Americas. Passengers flying Etihad to New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare, Washington Dulles, and Los Angeles can clear US immigration at AUH before boarding. This means arriving at US airports as domestic arrivals, bypassing the immigration hall entirely. The pre-clearance area opens approximately 4 hours before US-bound departures. Add extra time to your airport schedule on US departure days.
Duty-free purchases: When departing, the main duty-free stores are airside after security. Alcohol and large liquid volumes must be purchased after security and packed in sealed airport bags. Do not put alcohol in checked luggage on Etihad flights — carry it on board in the sealed bag and transfer to your checked bag at connection if needed.
Layover in Abu Dhabi from AUH
Under 4 hours: Stay airside. Terminal A has enough to occupy a short layover comfortably — the architecture alone warrants a walk, and the duty-free and food options are solid.
4-8 hours: Abu Dhabi’s highlights most relevant for a short layover are:
- Louvre Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat Island): 35 minutes by taxi (AED 65 return), entry AED 63 as of 2026. One of the world’s most architecturally striking museums.
- Yas Island: 20 minutes by taxi (AED 40 return). Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld are here, though a full visit to either needs 4+ hours.
8+ hours with overnight option: The central Corniche area offers a walkable, safe waterfront in the cool evening hours. A dinner at a restaurant on the Corniche — Emirates Palace hotel’s Terrace restaurant or the more casual Byblos on the Bay at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers — provides a genuine Abu Dhabi experience.
For the UAE’s other main airports, see our Dubai International Airport guide. For transport once you reach the city, see our first-time UAE guide.