Getting around Abu Dhabi
Walking in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is a walking city, and if you are willing to pay a bit more for the convenience of working in the city to be near your workplace, then this will enable you to walk there. However, harsh temperatures can be a problem when summer sets in and humidity gets too difficult to make a walk bearable.
Bus in Abu Dhabi
Buses in Abu Dhabi are very convenient, clean, and efficient. It is also cheap to get around, and it takes just about thirty minutes to get from one place to another. If you get a Hafilat card (the price of the card is AED 10, and it can be reloaded with fare money), you just need that to swipe and get around the city for a reasonable price. These cards are available at vending machines at some bus stops as well as the main bus station of the city, Al Wahda bus station.
You can conveniently check bus schedules through the Darbi app (iOS and Google Play).
Taxi in Abu Dhabi
Taxis are also widely available for the convenience of the capital's residents. Rates begin at a minimum of AED 12, no matter the distance. You can call or schedule a ride beforehand through a call center if you wish. Taxi companies are monitored by the government, which makes them very safe and dependable at all times. You can also get a taxi via an app like Abu Dhabi Taxi.
Car in Abu Dhabi
If you prefer having your own car, you can rent a car or buy one. However, you will need to obtain a driver's licence valid for UAE driving first. You can find out more about this in our article on driving in the UAE.
Office service in Abu Dhabi
For some companies, especially those who work outside the city near the industrial areas, minibuses are available for pick up and drop off. This convenience is a benefit for employees, so they will not have to worry about long and expensive commutes from the city to faraway workplaces.
Uber and Careem in Abu Dhabi
While they may be a bit more expensive than local taxis in the city, Uber and Careem rides are available for the convenience of commuters. It is fast and easy to call for a ride through their apps, especially if you want to get to a destination a bit farther than just city driving.
Road names in Abu Dhabi
Before going around the city, memorizing road names and their location can be of great help to find a reference point to navigate around. Names can be a bit confusing, especially road signs, and what locals actually call them is different. Here are top examples of former and current names of roads in Abu Dhabi:
- Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoom 2nd, Airport;
- Sultan Bin Zayed the First 4th, East, Muroor, New Airport;
- Fatima Bint Mubarak St 6th, Umm Al Nar, Bani Yas, Baniyas;
- Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan 8th, Al Salam, East Coast, Eastern Ring, New Corniche;
- Khalifa Bin Zayed the First 3rd, Khalifa, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, Al Istiqalal;
- Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed 5th, Hamdan, Al Nasr, Al Khubairah;
- Sheikh Zayed the First 7th, Electra;
- Al Falah 9th, Old Passport Rd.
The speed limit in Abu Dhabi
When driving in the city, observe the speed limit because there are numerous cameras that can catch overspeeding drivers. There is a speed buffer of 20 km/h, but best to be cautious as speeding is punishable by hefty fines and black points, which are accumulated every year. Most people prefer to use the Waze app over Google Maps as it indicates to drivers when speeding cameras are approaching.
Useful links:
Abu Dhabi Department of Transport
WhatsOn: getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back
Last update on 02 April 2024 13:02:50