Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), officially renamed Zayed International Airport in early 2024, is one of the primary airports in the United Arab Emirates and serves as one of the country's major global gateways.
The airport is located about 30 kilometers east of Abu Dhabi city center. It is directly connected to over 130 destinations in 60+ countries, and new air routes are added annually.
In 2023, the airport unveiled its state-of-the-art Terminal A. Since then, all operations have moved to the new terminal, and the former terminals are now closed.
Major Airlines - Etihad Airways, WizzAir Abu Dhabi, Air Arabia
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, operates extensively from Terminal A, offering flights to numerous international destinations.
Other prominent airlines, including Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia, also operate from the airport, providing a wide range of regional and international connections. Abu Dhabi’s route map is vast - you can directly fly to the biggest cities on 5 continents (bar South America).
To see all airlines that operate at Abu Dhabi Airport, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Since late 2023, Zayed International Airport has only had one terminal: Terminal A. It is one of the largest airport terminals in the world owing to its 780.000 sq. m. floor space.
The terminal has a distinct sloped X-shaped design. The four piers (A, B, C, D) are themed by desert, sea, city, and oasis landscapes respectively, giving you unique areas to explore if you like to walk and have some time to kill before a flight.
There are in total 49 passenger gates:
A1 to A9
B10 to B26
C28 to C42
D43 to D49
The former Terminals 1, 2, and 3 have all been collectively replaced by Terminal A and are now defunct.
See what destinations you can fly to from Zayed International Airport.
Check-in and Security
Check-in at AUH is very streamlined and efficient, featuring automated gates and biometric authentication.
In mid-2024, the airport unveiled its “Smart Travel” project, utilizing biometric technology to streamline the check-in process.
This system allows passengers to move through various checkpoints using facial recognition, reducing the need for traditional document checks. It uses biometric data collected by the Immigration Authority on arrival to the UAE.
This system is the world’s first and AUH aims to soon be the world’s first fully documentless airport.
Smooth Arrival…
Passing through Immigration, Customs, and Security is very quick and effortless.
If this is your first time in the UAE, you should go to a manned counter for Immigration. If it’s a return visit - you can use one of the automated gates.
…and Smooth Departure
Check-in, bag drop, and security screening for departure are also incredibly efficient and only take a few minutes in total.
Self or remote check-in, self-bag drop, E-Gates, and self-boarding are all available to minimize human interaction and speed up the airport experience.
US border preclearance
Zayed International Airport is the only country in the Middle East (and, as a matter of fact, all of Asia) with USA border preclearance facilities provided by the Customs and Border Protection.
As such, all security and Immigration checks for flights bound for the USA are conducted at the airport in Abu Dhabi, and on arrival in the US, the passengers are treated as domestic arrivals.
Restaurants and food
Terminal A offers various dining venues, from no-frills fast food to gourmet restaurants, gourmet coffee shops, and regional favorites.
The airport is far from residential areas of the city and doesn’t have many options before security. In the landside area, you can choose between:
Costa Coffee
Starbucks Coffee
Both famous coffee shops also serve light snacks, sandwiches, and desserts.
After security (airside), the airport has a lot more dining options to offer. Just some of them are:
Jones The Grocer: A gourmet eatery with a wide menu. Open 24/7.
Taste of India: Serving authentic Indian meals and aromatic curries. Open 24/7.
Camden Food Co.: Providing healthy and organic food options. Open 24/7.
Meat District: Serves New York-style hotdogs, hamburgers, and fries. Open 24/7.
Levito: Pizza - Pasta: For fresh, crisp, and authentically Italian pizzas. Open 24/7.
Lounges
The airport houses several world-class lounges, including the Pearl Lounge, which offers a luxurious ambiance, gourmet dining, and shower facilities. Access is available to premium class passengers and eligible loyalty program members (Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Dragon Pass, and Dream Folks)
Those flying with Etihad Airways can use:
Etihad Airways Business Class Lounge: Available to First Class and Business Class ticket holders though anyone can purchase a pass. It offers premium dining, showers, a games room, relaxation, and lounge areas.
Etihad Airways First Class Lounge: Exclusively available to those flying in The Residence or First Class, as well as VIP and eligible guests. It provides elevated dining rooms, unique delicacies, and a more private area for relaxation.
Finally, if you’re looking for exquisite luxury, try the Diamond Lounge for its exclusive location away from the crowds, unparalleled hospitality, and extensive range of high-class services. Prior reservation is required.
Transportation
Zayed International Airport is well-connected to Abu Dhabi, and other locations in the Emirate, and has direct links to Dubai.
To Dubai
A 24/7 shuttle connects Zayed International Airport to Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai.
Departures are every hour on the clock, travel time is 1:30 hours and the price is 35 AED. Buy a ticket at the dedicated kiosks in the arrivals area of AUH or at the Ibn Battuta Bus Station.
To the center of Abu Dhabi
Multiple local buses stop at AUH and go to different areas of the city and the region. Notably, the A1 line goes to Al Zahiyah, a prominent central area of Abu Dhabi and the A2 line goes to Khalifa Street in the Downtown.
These buses cost 2 AUD but you must use a Hafilat Card that you can buy from vending machines at the airport.
Other transport options at AUH are:
Taxis: Readily available at designated stands at the lower curbside in front of the arrival area. Taxis are metered. The price to Abu Dhabi is 70-90 AED.
Car Rentals: Several car rental agencies operate at the Mezzanine level of Terminal A.
If you’d like to book a private transfer instead, click here to see your options.
Parking
The main parking in front of Terminal A serves as both a short-term and a long-term parking solution.
The parking fees are:
First 5 minutes: Free
6 to 15 minutes: 15 AED
16 to 30 minutes: 25 AED
31 minutes to 2 hours: 35 AED
Up to 3 hours: 55 AED
Up to 4 hours: 65 AED
Up to 24 hours: 125 AED
Each additional day: 100 AED
If you pre-book longer stays, prices are significantly cheaper with stays between 8 and 14 days only costing 400 AED with further days charged at 50 AED. Maximum stay is 30 days.
Hotels near Zayed International Airport
Inside the airport, you really only have one option: the AUHotel.
It’s newly built and offers the best convenience and many amenities such as a restaurant, free wifi, a 24/7 reception desk and a TV in every room.
Near the airport, close to the now-closed Terminal 3, you will find the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport (Business Park) Hotel which provides comfortable rooms, well-maintained modern facilities, and most important of all - a free shuttle to the new terminal.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
